Germany at this time of year is all about tradition and markets. Lauf an der Pegnitz is closer to us than Nuremberg, and on a free evening we decided to go to their Christkindlesmarkt. It was small, but of course nothing compares to Nuremberg's. The Christkind, scheduled to appear at 7p, was announced to arrive at 8p instead. I suppose you can blame traffic for this! We drank heidelbeer gluhwein and I successfully avoided all the tempting--and fattening--holiday treats.

It was cold this evening. Cold with a slight wind chill, but at least it's dry. Oh, for some snow! Lauf is nice; it has a good organic market *and* a climbing store within a block of each other! I only wish there were some crags around.

> Lauf Christkindlesmarkt slideshow