Sitting in German class in high school, I remember having culture days and learning about the famous Christmas markets, among many other traditions. My mother’s fathers family was German, and so traditions have been passed down to me and my sister- like St. Nicholas’ Day on December 6, when you put your shoe outside your door and in the morning there is a little goody inside. When you are a kid and there is an excuse to give you little presents, you don’t ask questions of origins. But as an adult, I have an inquisitive mind, so upon doing some light research, discovered that Saint Nicholas is a patron saint in Catholicism, and as his annual feast day is December 6, he became part of the Christmas holiday season. As his visit is common for delivering little sweets and goodies that could fit in a shoe, December 6 is seen as a preliminary round of Christmas. The shoe bit seems a bit less clear to me- except many German traditions were brought to America by immigrants, and I believe that shoe part formed from that. America is a beautiful melting pot, and it’s always good to have a reminder that these small traditions that we feel are ours started from hundreds of years of shifting cultural waves.
 
         While Nikolaustag (St. Nick’s Day) is still a tradition for many, the famous markets have the attention of us all for a reason. Many date back hundreds of years, the oldest known one being from Dresden (a favorite city of mine in all of Europe), at 600 years. These markets have trickled down into American culture in ways you might not realize- your community Christmas Bazaar. Every market has the typical touristy bits, but also incredible local heritage and gifts. Stalls of woodwork, ceramics, glassworks, jewelry, clothing, and countless artistry line both sides of the town main streets, here in Potsdam that is the gorgeous Brandenburger Straße. Mixed with gifts is its equal: the food. World famous warm Glühwein, Bratwurst freshly sizzled, and Quarkbällchen. Regional and other nations specialties are now staples too, like Langos from Hungary- a yeast dough covered in Quark (essentially sour cream) and Käse (cheese), but with many optional additions like meats and veggies. Massive amounts of sweets are on display too- chocolate covered fruits, fresh and warm salted nuts, and the large heart shaped German gingerbread cookies, with endearing saying like Ich liebe Dich, Liebster Opa, and Fröhliche Weihnachten. Is your mouth watering yet?
 
          To top it all off, and what makes it even more authentic for me, is to see mass amounts of locals out with family and friends- smiling, drinking Glühwein, wandering, and speaking in German (naturally). The beautiful lights twinkle and giant Weihnachtspyramiden (Christmas carousel pyramids) spin (fun fact, they traditionally move by warm air rising off the candles placed at the bottom, making the display turn as the propellors spin). The energy and festive spirit are everything I imagined, dreaming in my seat as that high school student. And here I am- in the flesh, loving every second. While Potsdam is one of my favorite cities, I’ve waited too many years to come to just one market. Every town in Germany has their own edition- and while I can’t do them all, I intend on doing as many as I can this trip. Dresden is tomorrow- and what I most look forward too, and Berlin’s are open until the New Year, which is rare and not common for most of Germany- when many close at Christmas Eve.
          Christmas Eve is the true Christmas Day in the country. That’s when families gather and give gifts, sing carols, and eat lots. The days after are for relaxing, more eating, and more visiting. For a gal who loves being out of her comfort zone and in new experiences, especially ones she has wanted to be a part of for her whole life- the time is nigh- and I can’t wait.
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Fröhliche Weihnachten!
 
 

Since the beginning of first year German in high school, and really before that with my German heritage on my mother’s side, I have dreamt of attending Oktoberfest. German culture has always appealed to me. I’m fascinated by the language and its strong pronunciation and similarity to English (yes- there are many words if you really look at them and listen!), delicious hearty food, and cultural and historic past of castles, forests, and kind and friendly but confident and bold people. 

So Oktoberfest, with the Krug of Bier, Brezeln, Bratwurst, Dirndl, Lederhosen, and festive music and dancing? Sign me up!

The Famous Oktoberfest is typically held in Munich, since Oktoberfest is a traditionally Bavarian custom. I was a bit shocked to hear when my German sister Lisa had never been to one- but then she educated me on the traditions of the different regions, and as she was raised on the East side in Saxony, it wasn’t as common. You learn something every day.
 
Being adventurous and open to new fun things as I am, she was completely ready to attend one, and it was kismet when I found out that Potsdam, the gorgeous historic town she just moved to, has one happening while I was there to visit- and on my birthday no less. I could think of no better way to finally have the long-awaited experience.
 
Another misconception of Oktoberfest is that is takes place in October- the Germans threw everyone for a loop there. It really should be known as September fest- as most of the event is in the month before. We booked our tickets, and then Lisa told me it was very common to dress up in the Dirndl and Lederhosen, the respective women’s and men’s dress. You didn’t have to ask me twice, after scouring the web for good used pieces, we both found beautiful authentic Dirndls and Blüse.
 
The day arrived, and after walking around gorgeous Sansoucci Park (more on that later), we dressed up and felt very festive as we headed towards the event. You never feel quite so German as walking through central Potsdam in traditional German dress, but everybody seems to know and accept that we were headed to Oktoberfest, so it wasn’t so strange. I would have done it anyways- headed to Oktoberfest or no.
 
Held in a big fully-enclosed tent- there were "Herzlich Willkommen zu Potsdamer Oktoberfest" signs beckoning us. Inside, long wooden tables started to fill up with partygoers- and a stage in the center with a dance floor called us. At the back were food and drink- and naturally, the drink was already open and thriving. What surprised me the most from entry, was how almost everyone was wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen. Street clothes were strange for those few hours, and you stuck out if you wore them. It made the experience all the more authentic and wonderful. The night progressed- after a Brezel and 2 half Masse of Bier, I felt like a native. A band of two, keyboard and accordion, alongside a DJ, played away German pop songs and traditional tunes alike. A sea of Dirndl and Lederhosen swirled around, and feet kicked out in lines dances and waltzes. Smiles spread on everyone’s faces for hours, accompanied on the floor by a drink in every hand. Family and friends groups stood on tables, knocking glasses with the accompanying “Prost!”, stomping away and belting out lyrics they had known since childhood. For a few hours, all was right and perfect and 100% Deutsch. It had to end for us early, as Lisa had a late shift at work, but the party later raged into 3/4am- as is common of European fetes. Work hard play hard- there’s a reason German-made has such a reputation.
 
We exited, and it poured. So there I was- walking home alone in central Potsdam at 10pm- holding a jacket over my head that did little to help in the downpour- wearing a Dirndl. On my birthday. I loved every minute of it.
 
Experiences likes these truly make me feel alive. Diving into a new culture, being in the unknown, and realizing that’s where the growth happens. Out of my comfort zone is always the most rewarding place to be. Prost!