Long time, no write. Let's get on with it?
So the Christmas market always lands a few days before my birthday each year and alas my birthday is in 3 days and the market and been here since 15th December so here we are!
Each year up to this point I hear whispers of excitment when the market is about to land. It's exciting because it makes so many feel very festive. It's not hard to see why, with the lights lining all the small-house-like shops, and the congregation of winter hats and scarves. The smell and the look is unique and draws peope from all around. Before I really get in to this post - I DO like this Christmas market, but I can't help but be a little critical while we are pouring out our wallets on the whole novelty of it.
Firstly, I don't know about you but when I hear 'Christmas Market' I think beer tent. Isn't that the point? Is there anything else actually in the place? Now, hear me out. I don't drink too often (once every 2 weeks is average for me) and I have a pretty unshakable dislike for beer. This german beer tent (there is an altnerative one for Laverys - but what's the point) offers beer, wierd beer and sweet beer. Think fruit cider - but less sweet or gassy. The peach one year was my favourite, the strawberry and mango are also delicious and I can't help but stop by every year at least once and have a pint or two with a friend.
Now the bad stuff. Have you ever actually been in the tent? I work office hours during the week so I basically am restricted to drinking at socially acceptable hours of after 6pm on weekdays or weekends. Which obviously is fine, but when it comes to the beer tent if I were to go these times I would either have to que outside it (yes this actually happens) or squeeze through the already-at-capacity to get a sweet, sweet beer. I, admittedly can be a little lazy and the thought of waiting outside an actual tent in my free time doesn't set my heart alight.
After the waiting, the squeezing and being ID'd (You betcha I am 24, still look 16) you get up to the bar, choose your flavour and get your glorious sparkling pint. You go to pay and they tell you the pint, in the plastic cup will be £5. My heart sunk the first time I heard that, five pounds is a lot and if you want somewhere to drink it? I'm sorry that's 90% of the time not an option. You stand there amongst the drunken customers not able to get a seat holding your pint which is 20p a sip. Thank god they are sweet to counteract my bitterness.
Bonus point if you do find somewhere to sit. Odds are you will become BFF with the group and have a really rememberable time. We did this on my 22nd Birthday, pictured below is me and Lisa, holding our steins (I think these are £10). If you are wondering who took this photo it was a man we met that day, became BFF's with, along with 3 others. Who we never saw again.
Overall verdict of beer tent; Go for the novelty; stay if you find a seat and be friendly. If you can avoid weekend evenings; you'll definitely have to queue! Avoid if you are claustrophobic, or become faint at the thought of paying £5 for a pint.
The rest of the market falls into three main categories; kids stuff (Santa's grotto and Mary-Go-Round), food and drink and craft stalls. There could be more kid's stuff, I distinctly remember a massive snow-globe with Santa in it last year - could have only been for last year.
Food and Drink. Disclaimer; everything is VERY expensive, and those dutch pancakes you're eating was served by a Belfast girl with an accent as strong as your morning coffee. I don't know why about that ruined some of the authenticity of the market - not so continental anymore!
Personal highlights within Food and Drink have got to be the German hot dogs with crispy onions. They also have giant hanging sauce bottles with a contraption not unlike an udder which you squeeze for the condiments. Sounds rotten but seem more hygienic that having a plastic box full of ketchup with a spoon to serve yourself, which evidently the stall around the corner had. I am not a fan of eating and walking but I can wind my neck in during the festive period and eat a hog dog with a red nose and a hat on. There is also; hog roast, kangaroo burgers, paella, noodles, garlic bread and a whole lot more!
Not to be missed on the sweet side of the food is definitely the waffles, crepes and churros. Then again, throw nutella over any warm pastry and I am yours. They are delicious and ordering mine in french always makes me feel like I am the smartest person in the world. Spoiler alert; I'm not.
To take home though, it's gotta be the cheese. OH MY GOD THE CHEESE. From ginger to garlic, cranberry to carmelised onion they have them all - and they let you taste them all. Me and Gerald always do this, and the vendor doesn't tire of offering you more. My favourites were; Two Smoking Barrels and Hot and Garlic. I think these were £10 for 4. Last year I bough 4 and left them on the bus home; please don't do this. It will cause you endless pain.
The rest of the stuff, for me is forgettable. Most of it is random stuff which is very nice but useless and overpriced. Worth a look though, the stuff can be very interesting.
Last note; Avoid the pick 'n' mix. Yes it look delicious and it's all colours of the rainbow but you'll get 2 chunks of fudge and a gummy bear for 7 pounds and wonder why you didn't go to poundland.
I hope if your in Belfast you go to the market, experience it's joys and don't empty your wallet too much. I hope that I will be writing again soon.
Happy Christmas.
Lovelove. x
