Germany, Day 2 - Oberhausen/Duisburg

 Edit:When I woke up this morning, the sun was out and I couldnt help but get out and see what things look like during the day without the doom and gloom.  Burg Platz huts were not open yet as its still early.  Early for the promenade a well but the working ships have already started their day.  a short stroll along Konigsalle and once around the structures around Cornelius Platz

Today is Sunday and its a day of rest.  Many shops are closed, which I knew but bit me in the but anyway.  I should have rested too as I try to cram too many things into the first few days.  Unexpectedly, I hit up 2 Christmas markets.  Maybe because its Sunday, one of the lines I could take directly to Oberhausen skipped both Dus HBF and Ober HBF.  I had to go through and transfer at the airport.  On this leg, we passed Duisburg.  Thats when it came to mnd that I could stop off here on my way back since they should be open until 9PM.  It was easy enough getting to Ober.  Transfering to the tram posed a bit of a problem.  There were automated machines to purchase tickets for the ride. The kiosks did not accept cash?!?!?  The STOAG office was closed and the tourist information office was closed too.  Sunday, right?  Ended up charging the ticket.  

Arrived at the Westfield Centro shopping mall where the event was being held.  The entrance is right off the exit from the elevated stop.  Near the entrance was a toboggan ride lined with snow.  Alot of kids, young and older, wre enjoying the the downhill run.

Back to the main point.  This was a huge, huge Christmas market situated outside of a mall.  Theres a cluster of huts near the tram station and at the other end of the mall at the Coca Cola food court.  In between was a long line of huts offering crafts, food, and drink.  It was incredible and the biggest market I have been to yet.  Being next to a mall helped when some rain would fall, light and drizzly at times.  Easily duck in for some shelter.  Opposite the food court and acrossthe water was a ferris wheel.  Two for twowhen it comes to Xmas market and ferris wheel.  Got a kinderpunch to facilitate my collection.  I like the frosted mugs because they seem sturdier.  Unlike Dus, this was fully open.  Greater variety of food to be had.  I had the salmon grilled over an open fire on cedar(?) boards.  I wanted both sauces since I wasnt sure.  I went wih the mustard dill sauce.  Dont know what the other tasted like but I think I choose the right one.  some lettuce in the sandwich too.  Before I left, had the sauteed mushooms with knoblach, garlic mayo sauce.  It was good but oh so heavy.  Garlic without the mayo would have been just fine.  I think I should have tried the speatzle or the pasta dressed in a wheel of cheeese.

After walking all day, it was nice to sit down on the ride back.    It wasnt long before I arrived at Duisburg.  The station at Dui was alot bigger than I thought it would be.  It also offered alot of services too.  The festival here was much closer to the central station and did not require additional transportation.  It runs from the station to city hall.  At this point, alot of what was on display wasnt much different from what Ive seen the last 2 days.  But it was enjoyable nontheless to be out and about with the locals in the evening.  Light rain here and there.  Enjoyed a bit of gluhwein in a hut out of the rain.  Tasted exactly the same as the one in Dus.  and still couldnt help inhaling some of it.  Got some sausage to accompany the wine in my belly.  I got a bratwurst.  Though I thought the white sausage was soemthing else before.  Its the krakuer that that was the darker colored sausage, like a keilbasa.  Will need to give that a go next time.  Is it superstition that the vendors always serve them pointing up?  Does the luck run out if the sandwich looks like a frowning face?

Germany, Day 1 - Dusseldorf, first full day

 I awoke at almost 8:30.  Mistakenly believing breakfast was from 7-9am, I hurrid to grab a little something.  Fears worsended as no one was around.  I inquired at the front desk about the hours.  Breakfast is available at a liesurely 8-11am.  Sat down to some cold cuts and croissant.  Other breads were available.  I skipped the cheese platter this morning.  Looked up some info on Cologne as now it may be a possiblity because two of the markets open on 11/20, well before I leave.  After downin a flat white and two cafe au laits,  I headed out and about but feared the forecast of rain.  The majority of the forecast during my stay is rain more often than not.  This morning started quite overcast but no precip yet.  Went by Burg Platz where the food and drink huts were open.  Generally they will open around 10 or 11 and close by 9pm.  Instead of taking transit to the Rhine tower, I walked along the banks of the river.  The river may seem calm but forcefully moves northward.  I started at the promenade lined with bars and restaurants.  Watching ferries and other ships ply the waters, some working hard against the current.  

I passed under the Rheinkniebrucke bridge and was close to the tower while in the neighborhood of Medien Hafen.  My camera is not broken and the lens is not warped.  These three buildings were designed by Frank Gehry. If you dont know, he was th architect behind the Walt Disney Concert Hall in southern California. I affectionately designate these buildings as the Three Stooges. Moe is the tallest and white structure. Larry is the third building while Curly is the shiny metal one in the middle. 10 euros to go up the tower at the lower level. The level above has a full service restaurant while theres a cafe and snack shop. Tables are place around the perimeter making it hard to get up to the window to take some shots. Maneuvered around seatted patrons to get shots of the river south, north to Old town, and some parts east.

Wasn't there long before I had already made 3 or 4 laps then out. Went over to Carls platz, a market in the middle of the city. Like a covered farmer's market we have in the states. Fortunate as some drops were beginning to fall. Walked through the butchers, florists, crafts people, producers, and fish mongers. There were bakeries, small restaurants, and bars. I went to a fish market to get some fish soup. Acreamy soup with several kinds of fish including salmon as well as shrimp. It was perfect to get me warmed up for the rest of the day as the weather would turn for the worse.

I perused the majority of the venues the night before.  Wanted to see if any of the markets a little to the east were available.  The rain and closure of these locations put a damper on the rest of the evening.  Went back to Cornelius platz and had some ribkuchen minus apple sauce. The potato pancake was good naked with crunchy bits around the edge with a nice soft center and full of potato flavor.  The ushrooms with garlic sauce smelled good too but I will partake at another location.  I could not rightly let the day go by without another mug.  This time it was the kid friendly kinderpunch, boiled sweet punch.  In a frosted mug instead of the painted ceramic mug.  I had seen several cups of the type that I purchased previously with slightly different graphics.  

Walked past a stand that had frikadelle, should I have ordered it?  With meat on my mind, I went back to the sausage vendor near the ferris wheel.  The pork roast simmering in onion juices looked and smelled good.  So far, they could do no wrong as I enjoyed the pork with onions on a roll.  Great amount of fat on the roast to give it a nice chew with each bite.  The sweeteness of the onions added to the flavor of the pork.  It was a hearty sandwich with several thick slices in the roll that abosorbed much of the juices.  Had to ditch the carbs to finish off the protein.

Germany 2023-Dusseldorf arrival

Landed in Dusseldorf early this evening.  For the bulk of the trip I plan on visiting several Christmas markets that spring up this time of year.  Cologne is the next major city on the Rhine south of Dus.  If Im lucky, I may get a chance to visit before I leave.  I initially took this time off looking for somewhere to go to.  It just so happened that the north western region of Germany.  Early research showed the earliest markets would open on my day of arrival.  The largest of which as Dus.  As the weeks went on updated info showed a later opening by 1 week.  Undeterred, I went ahead with my plans.  Upon surveying the city, I found alot of the set up for the markets were in place but not open forbusiness.  Not all however.  The base of the ferris wheel at Burg Platz was attend by Friday night revelers.  Near Konigsalle was in full swing with street food, bars, ie skating and a formof the stone on ice sport, curlng.  This definitely heralds what should be a great look at some German Christmas markets.

The hotel that I am staying at is in Altstadt, Old Town, and in the middle of the 7 markets in Dus.  I arrive on a Friday night and stumbled my way to the area.  With no internet at the time, I could not figure out what exit I would need to head to get to the hotel.  I gambled and exited a one door dwon from where I alighted from the subway from the main city train station.  As luckwould have it, this was exactly where I needed to be.  Im tellling you, this is a great start.   Evening had already fallen and it was dark.  The signs had the area lit up and I recognized the Burger King near the exit.  I turned around and there was my hotel.

Did some quick unpacking and headed out with an adventurous heart.  I went toward the Rathaus, City Hall.  It was disappointing to see the huts set up but shuttered and dark.   Nearby, I thought I might was well take sight of the ferris wheel.  It was like a light was shining open the area as the food and drink huts were open and bustling.  Grabbed a quick glance at the Rhine river and the pomenade alongside.  Peered down river to the Rhine Tower.  Went to get a white sausage in a roll.  The offring was the best first bite in Dus.  The pork roast looked good too and will porbably come back another time.  Currywurst ketchup on one end and mustard on the other.  The ketchup won out.  It was sweet with subtle curry flavors.  A good match to the fine mellow flavor of the weisswurst.  I liked the curry ketchup more than the mix of curry power with ketchup in Berlin/Hamburg.  Then I had my first gluwhein.  Mulled/spiced wine served hot.  While taking sips to warm myslf, I would inadvertently inhaled the wine and irritate the nostrils.  Pro tip: drink, but dont inhale.  I didnt find much to rave about.  Not being a wine drinker I didnt know if it was good.  And, it didnt feel strong unless it was in my nose.  Primarily, I wanted to keep the refundable mug as a sourvenir.  The first of many.  Though not very cold, at least to me, it also helped to warm my hands.

I strolled around the area and went east towards the luxury shopping area of Konigsalle.  I was happy to find the party had already started at the Corneliusplatz(Cornelius plaza).  There was a large bar area next to an ice skating rink and a curling(?) rink.  There were several more huts nourishing the attendees.  In addition to the sausage and drink huts, there were also liebkuchen(potato pancakes), mushrooms, roasted nuts, sweets and so on.  I sis not partake this night but theres still several nights ahead.  It all smelled so so good.  It was hard to walk away.  Between this market and another off to the east was a smaller one in between.  Sales huts were erected but dark.  I took this as a sign to head back and get some sleep.  I am writing this at 3-4am local.  So much for sleep

When making a sandwich...

 You grab a loaf of bread to make a sandwich.  Stick your hand into the package of sliced bread, for those who purchased packaged bread, and pull out 2 slices.  For those who buy bread willy nilly, also grab 2 slices.  No, we are not making a triple decker nor a quad decker but the same question can apply.

Do you slide the slices apart, construct the sandwich then close it like a book?

Or, do you open the slices like a book, contruct, then close the book?

Is there even a third option?

Pho

 You may not know but I have had pho several times before.  A close by restaurant is one that I frequent the most and invariably compare everything else to it.   What drew me to this place?  The green onion?  No, the block of beef