Well last weekend I had the chance to go home with another friend to spend the weekend in another English city! This time I went to Leeds, a city in the center of the north of England. We arrived on Friday night and almost immediately went to visit one of England’s more exciting Christmas traditions-the Christmas market! Specifically, the German market. I have found England’s whole market idea is quite different then ours in America. I can’t say I really know many markets in the states apart from the Saturday Market that many cities have like Portland and Seattle, or perhaps the occasional farmers market, but otherwise the concept doesn’t really penetrate into American culture like it does here. In every city across England the Christmas markets have sprung up, each very similar: little booths put up housing all kinds of trinkets with a main, larger shack somewhere in the center housing an impromptu pub. Personally I am a big fan of the food booths, where you can get anything from bratwurst to burritos to nutella crepes!  There is music and cheer everywhere- after about 30 seconds I realized just how much the holiday season means to England. Even before this I could tell that the holiday’s are really something else here, with everyone going on about their Christmas shopping and Christmas jumpers and so forth. Not to mention that every city, town, and village had put up its own giant Christmas tree as well as lights along every ally and road. I asked some friends but they did not seem to comprehend why I was asking them why the holidays were so revered on this side of the pond. They just kept saying “because it’s Christmas! It’s the happiest time of the year!”.

I think part of what makes it all so special is the fact that the English, especially here up north, are living in darkness a majority of the time and so all the lights and wonder of Christmas make everyone cheery. In addition, it is a time of relaxation and family, just like it is back home in the states. All I know is that I thought the holiday’s were a big deal in America, but nothing compares to the amazing Christmas culture that exists here in England.

The German market in Leeds:

The Liverpool Tree:

One of the many strings of lights along the shopping center road in Liverpool:

After going to the market on Friday Night, we went to a birthday party for a friend’s father on Saturday night and had a fun night helping set up. I even had my first hog roast! After dinner we relaxed and had the most delicious and rich chocolate cake I had ever eaten, and then I found out it was from Costco! I guess Costco cake is famous all over, and tastes amazing no matter where you are.

At the party:

It was really nice to get a weekend away from the University, I don’t think I realized how much I needed it. It felt quite a bit like going home for a weekend while at western, a time to relax and recuperate from my studies and from all the craziness that goes on living in the halls. Overall I had a great weekend, and I feel as though I learned a lot about English culture during the holiday season.
Hope you are all well!

Summer