a few of my favourite things

ADVENTNÍ TRH

Advent Market

Nádvoří Knížecí dvůr

Princes' Yard Courtyard

 Hluboká nad Vltavou

 Lidová řemesla, vůně vánoc, kapři, občerstvení

Handcrafts, the fragrance of Christmas, carp and refreshments

Every year on the last Sunday of November, the first day of Advent, there is an Advent Marcket in our town. We love going there and we try to get there early as all the good things are bought up soon after lunch. We meander around and look at all the stalls. We say hi to old friends that we don't often see as everyone from town comes on this day to the market.

This year's market was the best ever (out of 5 that we have seen). It was bigger, more organized and prettier. More care was taken to make the stalls look attractive and everything seemed more purposeful, fitting into the medieval setting.

Normally we freeze to death standing in the courtyard in 10 below zero weather for a couple of hours. This year the weather is quite shockingly mild so it was a pleasure to hang around chit-chatting with friends. We always give the girls some pocket money to spend and I am usually on the lookout for Christmas gifts. This year I found the coolest ceramic aromalamps for all of my colleagues.

It is now a tradition to buy our advent wreath at the market. This year's is gorgeous. I also bought one for my classroom.

Typically, the local kindergarten sings Christmas carols while the market goers shop and snack and chat. Roxie sang at the market our first year here. This year they had a live band playing traditional carols. It was really nice and lent itself to the atmosphere.

This is a day we all look forward to. We then tromp home with all of our goodies and put on Christmas music and proceed to decorate the house. New country, new traditions.