All my assumptions that Salzburg could not get more beautiful faded away once the Christmas decorations started to go up. The city squares (“platz”) were previously filled with normal, everyday souvenir stands and giant chessboards that are now packed away in the attic with the rest of the summer and fall decorations.
The celebration is called “Christkindlmarkt,” and I will tell you what, Austrians really know how to decorate. In the three city squares of Salzburg, there are numerous stands; some sell Christmas souvenirs from ornaments to wooden train sets, and others sell seasonal food and drinks, including delicious “gluhwein” (spiced wine). Of course, this celebration would not be complete without a giant Christmas tree in the center of the square and a skating rink for the children … or college students.
Now, a concept that is literally foreign to Americans is the idea of not celebrating Thanksgiving, but with no Thanksgiving in Salzburg, the celebration of Christmas starts on Nov. 17, and continues until the holiday season is over in January. One would think after two weeks of all these activities, the population at the market would settle down a little, but surprisingly, it is quite the opposite. The market spreads across three city squares, and every day as I go to class, I have to swim through the sea of people.
Normally, I would listen to my music to tune the crowd out as I weave my way out of the web to my classroom. However, this market is not a place where I want to tune out any of the noises. As I walk through, I notice the smiles of the children who are skating for the first time and the older couples consumed in each other while dancing to the live music outside the Salzburger Dom. I feel like I was placed into the final scene of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and all the Christmas cheer is spreading to anyone that walks through these streets.
Even without snow, it is starting to feel a lot like Christmas. So, take some time and put up some Christmas decorations in your room. Before you know it, finals will be over and you will be home. But do not wait until you get home to start feeling and spreading the Christmas cheer.