The annual Vancouver Christmas Market has opened its doors for the 2013 Christmas season! Open until Christmas Eve, this is a spectacular way to get in the holiday spirit and experience a little bit of German culture! It first opened in 2010, and I am still wondering why it took me three years to experience – maybe it was my lack of knowledge of the German cuisine or my skepticism of foreign terms like “Schnitzel” or “Schupfnudeln”. Regardless, I hit the gym very hard last week in preparation for the biggest cheat meal of my life! It was on in a big way!
Carmen Bennett, our tour guide for the event briefly showed me and my boyfriend around the market so we could become familiar with the place. She pointed out the most popular food items, what we just had to try, and what was new this year. She explained to be that all the booths are carefully selected to be at the market and coordinate one another perfectly. The atmosphere of the market was wonderful, with little wooden huts housing authentic German food, handmade wooden toys, glass Christmas ornaments, and other goodies. There was live entertainment in the center of the market and Christmas carols playing. There were people everywhere and little children dancing and running around. It was like a little German village in the heart of downtown Vancouver! Carmen explained that the whole area is licensed and that people love to grab a warm cup of “Gluhwein”, which is a traditional German drink, and Christmas shop stress-free. Sounded like a plan to me! But first, the food huts were calling my name…
The first thing I tried was German “Bratwurst”, essentially a pork sausage with sauerkraut lathered on top. This was delicious and everyone around me seemed to agree. You had to make an effort to find a person not inhaling one of these! Already I felt I was participating in German tradition. The same booth had pig knuckles on rotisserie, which Carmen said were one of the most popular dishes at the market. I skipped these this time – which just means I will have to go back! Next, I had a German pasta called “Schupfnudeln”, served with bacon and sauerkraut. God this was good! I had to stop myself from ordering it twice – there was more I had to try! Next, was a traditional German dessert called, “Bratapfel”. This was a gutted apple stuffed with cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and walnuts, with a rich vanilla sauce poured on top of it all, and then it all gets baked. This is a traditional German market dessert and the booth has been voted best booth at the Vancouver Market so this is a must try! Finally, it was a natural decision to end my food rampage at “Das Waffelhaus” for waffles on a stick – how I love my waffles! Sprinkled with icing sugar and made fresh to order, this was a lovely way to end off the day.
After basically eating two day’s worth of calories in two hours it was time to get busy Christmas shopping! The market offered beautiful gifts for even the hardest person to shop for! From beautiful soaps, organic honey, nuts, toys, oils, and ornaments, there was something for everyone. The Käthe Wohlfahrt shop had thousands of beautiful ornaments and is famous in Germany for Christmas ornaments and décor. Obviously, I couldn’t walk through without picking up a few treasures.
I could write and write about how wonderful the Vancouver Christmas Market is but I urge you to go experience it for yourself! There truly is something for everyone. Foodies, like me, will have a field day chowing down on German food. Children will love the carousal ride and enjoy making their own gingerbread men. Shoppers will find treasures for everyone on their list. Before hitting the club, why not stop by for some authentic German beer and “Gluhwein” to kick off the night! I cannot wait to go back, finish eating at the booths I got too full for, and experiencing the market at night. What a truly, unique experience, right here in our city! Now, back to the gym I go in an attempt to work off all that food…
By: Micaela Monk
