Shopping For Unicorns.

'Tis the season to be merry, as they say. And in London apparently there are few ways to be merry that don't involve shopping. The Christmas decorations might be a bid downplayed this year but there is surely no lack of enthusiasm and vigor to be seen. Am I the only one that gets a little numb and uncomfortable these periods?

Happy Christmas Everybody!

Snow, Gluewein and Friends.

I found myself in Munich to see two good friends from warmer climates and I finally met the snow I was so longing for. The city was blanketed, frozen and cheerful. Munich is all about the markets at Christmas. Fruits, sweets and sausages, toys, pottery and decorations. The streets were surprisingly busy for such a cold weather and the chiming church bells were giving the rhythm. It sound kind of corny, I know, but when you're there you sort of tune in. It's hard not to.
But the whole point of the visit was Norbet and Monica. The mulled wine was flowing and every part of the body was wooden stiff. Except the face of course, kept warm from the constant smiling, laughing and joy of being with people we love.

Reindeer Everywhere!

The overnight train from Lisbon to Madrid was lovely. The jerky dancing on the rails, the on-off process with endless stops and the firm little bed made the trip seamless. And what I loved most were the rubbery canned mushrooms, pink tubes impersonating sausages and yellowy jelly with the smell of eggs. The black liquid wasn't bad either. I'd do it again.

But Madrid in December I'm not so sure. The city is marvellous, but there was only one word in my head: Queues! The bank-holiday did not help I suppose, the almost cannibalistic tourists around the museums were less than funny, the always frenetic shopping safari of the season a further hindrance and the once-a-year opening of the parliament to the public was verging on the ridiculous. But the thing that really baffled me was an old lady, Doña Manolita. The Christmas national lottery comes under that name I believe and the queueing for one of her magic tickets were the surprise of the year for me.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that the city is dressed for the festive season, a bit over the top maybe, and half the population wears silly Reindeer caps. I bought two!