another.christmas.market.trip

he hasn't got his share of Christmas market, so you embark on a east bound journey together with another couple to dusseldorf. it's satisfied two elements of him, Christmas market and japanese food.

your first stop was ramen, since you arrived around 1pm, you stood in the line for 40 min to get serve. takumi ramen is never a disappointment.

your shoyu ramen with onsen egg and a portion of kara-age. ever so perfect and no fault.

when you are done, you walk to the city center to visit the market which is scattered around the city. the rain starts drizzling but that didn't stop you from venturing around.

the setup of the market is still the same, only you have different company that make the trip slightly different.

you have the opportunity to explain the nativity, the story of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the manger as you stroll around the market. you talk about the three wise men again when you explain the little display at store. it's actually a good way to tell about Jesus which to you is the only purpose of this festive season.

curry wurst...

hot wine...

spiced ornament, which you thought is lovely and creative.

 tea light

and something that you seen in hamburg...

 the big wheel at the old city square.

only the weather turns worst, the drizzling combine with wind make strolling utterly wet and unpleasant..
you try to stay indoor at the shopping mall hoping the rain will stop but it never.

you walk in the rain back to little japan where your car is parked and had your dinner at soba-an. friends are not accustom to japanese food in particular the raw and cold dishes. soba-an is not too busy when you arrived. your miso glaze konyaku stick, his cold tofu as starter. your tempura ten soba, his egg soba.
friend's duck soba and yasai soba. it's simple, very zen in fact but the soba broth is so comforting. your feet are tired, your hair is wet but you're kind refresh and regain your energy after the meal and ready for a 2 hours ride back to lowland in bad weather with very bad visibility. thanked God you made it home safely just past midnight.