Glasgow!!!

We were able to go into Glasgow for the afternoon, and it was magic!  For the time, the sky cleared a bit, the winds calmed, and we were able to see the beauty of Glasgow that is so often over-looked.

Glasgow is not a city for the faint of heart!  It is in the midst of a slow going re-birth, an attempt to pull itself up by the bootstraps and move forward.  

Many of the Victorian-era buildings remain, but have been re-purposed.  What once were government buildings are now art museums and even casinos.  Don't worry, though, some of the classics still remain.  

Did I mention the shopping?  Harrods, Frasers, Argyle Court, you name it, they have it!  Even American brands like Lush - it's there, along with the chains we all recognize, like TGI Fridays and Starbucks (swoon!)

Glasgow is known for the most part as a rougher city.  It's working hard to change that image, but with some of the highest incomes in the country, along with some of the lowest, there will always be a culture clash - something simmering just below the surface.

My family is from not very far away, and so going into Glasgow was a bit of a homecoming. Seeing the things my mum saw growing up, seeing the buildings my Gran worked in - there is definitely something to that.  The town council is working hard to make it a gentler city, but I think that perhaps that rough exterior is what makes Glasgow what it is. That's part of what makes it home.

Thank you for reading about all of our wanderings!  I would love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment, ask a question, or share your own experiences!

Reiterlesmarkt - Rothenburg O.D. Taub

When most people think of Germany, it seems that they think of Christmas- the Markets, the Glühwein, the decorations, the Lebküchen, all of it.  And they are right.  Starting the first week of advent, the towns bring out their best, they light themselves up, the put up booths, they simmer the wine in amazing spices, and they attract the tourists.  Perhaps none more so than Rothenburg ob der Taub.  Rothenburg is a small city, that is about 30 minutes from my house.

In nearly every guide book I have ever read, Rothenburg is mentioned as a "must see".  It is historically significant, as it was a Free Imperial City throughout the middle ages, and today it's architecture, and culture serve to remind us of what was.  We see life as it would have been living behind the city wall that to this day still completely encircles the town.  We can wander through the castle garden, and even down into what was the old moat (now totally empty, of course.  There are numerous covered bridges, and watch towers that you can climb up and walk into throughout the city - there are funny little doors all around, and beautiful churches, statues and fountains sprinkled about.

Last night we went to the Reiterlesmarkt (the Rothenburg Weihnachtmarkt).  We got to Rothenburg shortly before sunset, and before the crowds really came out - the merchants were just opening up in the Markt, and we were not crowded at all!  Later at night, more and more people come out, and on the weekends, the crowds will have you nearly shoulder to shoulder.  Rothenburg's market is not huge, it is not its size that makes it special.  It is special because of what it is - the booths are a bit more unique, a little more upscale than some other places.

 Not all the booths, are in the main square, in fact, most of the booths wind around the block behind the Rathalle, and they fill smaller, less well known courtyards.  There is a section that is for only hand made items - this is my favorite part - walking into a hallway, with evergreen branches everywhere you look, and the smell is just heavenly - the branches, the Glühwein, the candied nuts - I treasure the memory of that smell, it is the epitome of Christmas to me.

Have you ever been to Rothenburg?  What is your favorite experience there?

Thank you for reading of our adventures!  As always, please leave a comment, share your experiences, ask a question, whatever!!