{"id":9344,"date":"2018-12-19T10:09:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T15:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/?p=9344"},"modified":"2020-06-22T01:47:54","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T05:47:54","slug":"christmas-market-in-dusseldorf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/9344","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Market in Dusseldorf"},"content":{"rendered":"

Downtown Dusseldorf has been transformed from a quaint German town to a holiday landscape. It has taken us many days to wander all of the Christmas Market areas spread out through Dusseldorf.<\/p>\n

As we progress through the Christmas market we see a lot of arches with lights of many forms decorating them. The story of the arch, as I have learned, is it originated in the Erzgebirge area of Germany, which is a large mountain range between Germany and the now Czech Republic. The towns bordering the mountain range were mining villages. As the miners left the mines on Christmas eve they would hang their lanterns around the opening of the mine forming a lighted arch. This form of decoration in Germany is 250 years old.<\/p>\n

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Another traditional item is the Christmas Pyramid which dates back to the Middle Ages. Apparently even then, people got the winter blues. In an effort to cheer people up candles would be lit. They were originally hung from ceilings in German homes. Again, the community ties to mining inspired the original design of a capstan. They are composed in a pyramid type shape with candles on the outer ring and a central carousel in the middle with a rotor at the top that is driven by the warm air from the candles.<\/p>\n

Here is a Christmas stand in the shape of a Christmas Pyramid. Daytime.<\/p>\n

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Night time. (not my picture)<\/p>\n

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There are multiple carousels throughout the city, and I LOVE carousels!<\/p>\n

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As the sun goes down, the lights come on. The carousels that were fanciful by day become magical by night. (this is not the same carousel as above)<\/p>\n

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This one is more like a mini rollercoaster for kids.<\/p>\n

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They also have an ice rink in the center part of town. I don\u2019t know if it is up all winter or just for the holiday season. I like the \u201ccheater\u201d sleds they have for the young and the inexperienced. The kids can even sit on them while their parents push them around the rink.<\/p>\n

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We found the displays at Burgplatz, by the Rhine River, the most interesting. They remind me of the little houses we used to put around our train sets as a kid.<\/p>\n

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At night the castle in the Burgplatz looks like it is glowing. I\u2019m still trying to figure out the definition of \u201ccastle,\u201d because this isn\u2019t my idea of a castle. It looks more like a lighthouse to me.<\/p>\n

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They even decorate the big Ferris wheel for Christmas. Did I mention before that these are dining cars? They have tables and cup holders so you can eat while you ride.<\/p>\n

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The buildings in Marketplatz look similar to log cabins you might find in snowy villages of the Erzgebirge mountains.<\/p>\n

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Alina, a girlfriend of one of John\u2019s coworkers, and I had a great afternoon strolling around the markets.<\/p>\n

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Germany has no problem displaying nativity scenes everywhere.<\/p>\n

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There is a glassblower making ornaments that are beautiful, but they won\u2019t survive in a suitcase I don\u2019t think.<\/p>\n

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John and I enjoy trying all of the unfamiliar foods we find. Some we like and some we don\u2019t. The fire-roasted salmon on wooden planks is one of our favorites.<\/p>\n

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Got to have my sweets too. These little tiny pancakes are a great treat.<\/p>\n

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Love her outfit too.<\/p>\n

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There were many street performers playing Christmas music and beating on drums. I don\u2019t know what this guy is playing but, cool.<\/p>\n

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As we pass through the shopping district looking at all of the window displays we find animated teddy bears.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Downtown Dusseldorf has been transformed from a quaint German town to a holiday landscape. It has taken us many days to wander all of the Christmas Market areas spread out through Dusseldorf. As we progress through the Christmas market we see a lot of arches with lights of many forms decorating them. The story of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[899,202,849,848],"class_list":["post-9344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-bucket-list","tag-christmas","tag-dusseldorf","tag-germany"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Teddy_Medium_thumb0.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3hvz5-2qI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9285,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/9285","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":0},"title":"Strolling the Streets of Dusseldorf","author":"Wendy","date":"December 8, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Lets take a walk together. As in most towns, there is the old part of town and the new part. The buildings in the new growth area of Dusseldorf are as impressive as any modern building in any modern city. The shopping district is mostly all new buildings combining lots\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1114181545a_thumb.jpg?fit=648%2C487&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1114181545a_thumb.jpg?fit=648%2C487&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1114181545a_thumb.jpg?fit=648%2C487&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8952,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/8952","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":1},"title":"November 11 at 11:11 am It’s Karneval Time!","author":"Wendy","date":"November 11, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Day 6 \u2013 November 11 at 11:11 am It\u2019s Karneval time! From what I can gather this is a Catholic tradition but is enjoyed by all. It is the start of the party before Lent, ending with Mari Gras the following year. (Do German Catholics know how to party or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1111181249c_thumb1_thumb.jpg?fit=655%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1111181249c_thumb1_thumb.jpg?fit=655%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1111181249c_thumb1_thumb.jpg?fit=655%2C438&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8934,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/8934","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":2},"title":"Germany Arrival our First Week","author":"Wendy","date":"November 10, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We put the rig in storage, grab a ride to the airport in Phoenix, Arizona and jump on a plane to Dusseldorf, Germany for at least a month\u2019s stay. Though this is a working trip, we will have time for sightseeing and fun. Talk about fun. The trip starts off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1106181610-2_thumb.jpg?fit=612%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1106181610-2_thumb.jpg?fit=612%2C460&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1106181610-2_thumb.jpg?fit=612%2C460&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14200,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/14200","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":3},"title":"Helena, GA Going Dutch","author":"Wendy","date":"June 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"We've visited this Bavarian-themed town once before The great food, beer and fun atmosphere has brought us back on our way to Atlanta, Georgia. Look, John met some friends already. The decorations along the street are very unique. My favorite its the little tree house village with walkways between the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_9273_thumb.jpg?fit=750%2C461&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_9273_thumb.jpg?fit=750%2C461&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_9273_thumb.jpg?fit=750%2C461&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/IMG_9273_thumb.jpg?fit=750%2C461&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9253,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/9253","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":4},"title":"Boring Everyday Stuff","author":"Wendy","date":"November 30, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Unfortunately, our hotel does not have a self-serve laundry. Oh you can pay to have your clothing laundered but, wow! Check out the prices! I mean really, four euros PER t-shirt? Yeah, we don\u2019t think so. About a quarter of a mile away from the hotel is a laundromat or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1112181044_thumb.jpg?fit=675%2C507&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1112181044_thumb.jpg?fit=675%2C507&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/1112181044_thumb.jpg?fit=675%2C507&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9060,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/9060","url_meta":{"origin":9344,"position":5},"title":"Cologne Germany, the Rest of Our Day","author":"Wendy","date":"November 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Not knowing what else to do in Cologne, we decided on a tour guided Hop-on Hop-off bus. It took us all through Cologne and gave us the history of the town and explained all the different structures and architecture. We hopped off a couple of times to see a sight\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1117181149b_HDR_thumb.jpg?fit=713%2C403&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1117181149b_HDR_thumb.jpg?fit=713%2C403&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1117181149b_HDR_thumb.jpg?fit=713%2C403&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/1117181149b_HDR_thumb.jpg?fit=713%2C403&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9344"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12386,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9344\/revisions\/12386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}