German Faces in Market Places. Part I

German Faces in Market Places

‘Tis the season for Christmas Markets, or as the Germans call them, Weihnachtsmarkt (pronounced Vile-knocks-marked), or Christkindlmarkt (Chris-kindle-marked). Lots of food, some kids rides, gift kiosks, artisans at work, and steaming mugs of mulled wine, Glühwein, (Glue-vine).  I think of Glühweinas a German version of warm sangria.

Want to make your own? Sure you do.  Nothing better to get you in the holiday mood and bring out the German in you!  Here’s an easy recipe:

1 Bottle dry red wine (or a white wine!)

1 Orange cut in slices (or lemon or mix and match)

2 Sticks of cinnamon

2-3 heaping Tablespoons sugar

3 Cloves

1 Cardamom pod, or to taste

 Optional: A slosh or two of your favorite whiskey or rum or brandy

Another option: a splash of vanilla.

Heat the wine until it’s very warm, but not so hot that the alcohol evaporates.  Remove the wine from the heat and add everything else; cover the pot and let it steep for an hour.  After an hour, remove the solids and add the rum or brandy if desired (Yes, I do desire).  Add more sugar if you must, but the German version is just sweet enough to soften the flavor.

So you’ve got your mug of Glühwein to warm your innards and lift your spirits. Now it’s time to stroll and check out the bundled-up people swirling around you and stop to chat with vendors. Don’t speak German? No fear. They’re here to sell some truly beautiful crafts and will greet you with smiles and speak any European language you can imagine, including English, accompanied by hand gestures, and pats on the back and more smiles.

As for me, I’m all about the people and on these Christmas Market visits, I concentrate on faces. Unlike the U.S. when anybody with a camera is a bit suspect and subject to arrest, the Germans don’t seem to mind a click here and there.

For portraits, even long distance portraits, I prefer shots in black and white.  More drama, more concentration of features.  Got a few blurry ones?  Hey, they can be interesting, too and after a few Glühweins…..

Here are some photos of the vendors to show you what I mean:  German faces at a couple of  Weihnachtsmarkts.  In Part II, I'll show you some of the crowd.

Wait a sec! Before you view these masterpieces, grab another mug of Glühwein!  You may also want to grab a Brat or a Schnitzel and have Oh Tannenbaum playing gently in the background.  By the way, Tannenbaum means Christmas tree, but the Germans also say Weihnachtsbaum. 

I say, Prost!