Christmas chats, vin brulé and hand warming wood fires
Yesterday we were counting 22 days until Christmas. Marradi has its Christmas lights up, Santa's little wooden house has moved back to the Piazza, the tree has been lit.
The first of two Mercatini di Natale brought people out to buy presents, have a typical lunch at the restaurants that moved their kitchen equipment to the village. Typical winter dishes like Ribollita (a kale soup), Pasta al Cinghiale (wild boar) and of course deserts made of Chestnuts were on the menu.
Even at 3 degrees C people will eat this heartwarming food outside dug deep into their winter coats, supporting the local vendors.
After lunch we made our round checking out the stands, and getting myself a head band to keep my ears warm and watching people warming their hands at the wood fires put up in different places along the shopping areas, or leisurely have a chat with someone while drinking warm wine and eat roasted chestnuts.
In the mean time the Elfi, (elves) represented by the local school children, made for a colourful group while they treat the children (and me ;-)) to some caramelle (little soft candy).
Soon after retired to one of the bars to warm up near the heater with a nice glass of Spritz al Campari. Actually I think it suits the time of year well with its beautiful red color and sparkling wine.
While enjoying our drinks with in the background some opera songs at the theatre and watching 'Santa' recover from her rounds with the Elves, we made ourselves up for one last round with the lights full on before we went off to friends for dinner and some great conversation.
Hopefully the next Mercatino will bring out more people to have a taste of Christmas in Marradi.
The first of two Mercatini di Natale brought people out to buy presents, have a typical lunch at the restaurants that moved their kitchen equipment to the village. Typical winter dishes like Ribollita (a kale soup), Pasta al Cinghiale (wild boar) and of course deserts made of Chestnuts were on the menu.
Even at 3 degrees C people will eat this heartwarming food outside dug deep into their winter coats, supporting the local vendors.
After lunch we made our round checking out the stands, and getting myself a head band to keep my ears warm and watching people warming their hands at the wood fires put up in different places along the shopping areas, or leisurely have a chat with someone while drinking warm wine and eat roasted chestnuts.
Soon after retired to one of the bars to warm up near the heater with a nice glass of Spritz al Campari. Actually I think it suits the time of year well with its beautiful red color and sparkling wine.
While enjoying our drinks with in the background some opera songs at the theatre and watching 'Santa' recover from her rounds with the Elves, we made ourselves up for one last round with the lights full on before we went off to friends for dinner and some great conversation.
Hopefully the next Mercatino will bring out more people to have a taste of Christmas in Marradi.
Ellen wat gezellig en ‘warm’ is de sfeer!
ReplyDeleteIk was nieuwschierig naar de inhoud van de manden( foto 11) .
Op zijn Hollands gezegd lijken het Kerstpakketten met dingen van de streek maar dat hoeft natuurlijk niet.
Just curious.
Thankx
Heerlijk dat die markten niet moderniseren. Mooie manier om een beetje te integreren en wat terug te doen middels je foto's. Kun je die ook ergens etaleren zodat iedereen zichzelf vereeuwigd kan zien?
ReplyDeleteIk zie dat mijn comment niet 'gepakt' heeft. New try: Heerlijk dat dit type markten niet moderniseren. Ook mooie manier om te integreren. Kun je je foto's ook ergens etaleren zodat ieder zijn vereeuwiging kan bewonderen;) ?
ReplyDelete