It was November, and Hamburg temperatures started falling drastically below ten degrees. Walking in the streets felt like stepping inside a fridge.
Before leaving India, a close friend advised me, “Chaitanya, you must buy a jacket.” Taking her advice, I visited the Columbia store in Bangalore. I was in Bangalore for work at that time. I bought a jacket. The salesman in the store assured me that it gives comfort even at zero degrees.
However, as November progressed and the temperatures continued to fall, I realized my jacket wasn’t warm enough. It was suitable for autumn, not for winter. Reluctantly, I had to buy another, more suitable Jacket.
I work in a hybrid office setup where going to the office is optional. Nevertheless, one day I decided to visit the office, in November. I wore a thermal inside, a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.
Adjusting to winter attire was challenging. I always felt discomfort in wearing thick trousers in India because of the hot weather.
In Hyderabad, winter temperatures never dipped below sixteen degrees, so the cold temperatures in Hamburg were a shock. I applied a lot of moisturizers to combat the harsh weather, as my skin was already chapped and turning white.
Thick shoes were another necessity to protect against the cold and rain. North Germany’s weather is notoriously unpredictable — it can rain one moment and freeze the next. Back in India, I only wore shoes on special occasions, but in Germany, they became an everyday essential.
I reached the office using public transport, ready for another busy day. At lunchtime, I joined my fellow Indian colleagues in the dining area.
I opened the lunchbox I had prepared early in the morning, heated a bit in the office micro oven, grabbed some cutlery from the drawer, and sat down to enjoy my meal.
Our office was located by the river bank, and the view from the large glass windows was stunning. As I was enjoying the view and having lunch, suddenly my colleague pulled my hand and asked me,
“Brother, shall we visit the Christmas market this evening?”
I asked with wide eyes,
“What is a Christmas market?”
He explained,
“About a month before Christmas, German streets filled with stalls offering street food, chocolates, glue wine, small cakes, pomes, and more. We can enjoy the street food. It’s a festive experience.
Excited, I immediately said yes.
That evening, after work, we visited a Christmas market. It was more than what he described. The streets were beautifully decorated with lights and trees, creating a magical atmosphere.
The market is loaded with exceptional local delicacies. The mushrooms fried in butter were my absolute favourite. Markets showcased beautiful crafts as well.
Later, I learned that the tradition of Christmas markets dates back centuries, some tracing to the sixteenth century. These markets were once places where people sold pottery, meat, baked goods and sweets. There is a lot of history and culture associated with each Christmas market.
Sometimes, I imagine how a pani puri stall would fit into a Christmas market in Hamburg! Christmas markets expose a lot of cultural things.
Nowadays, I am seeing many Indians coming to Germany. So I feel a pani puri stall works in Christmas markets. However, acquiring a stall in the Christmas market is also not so easy.
I hope you enjoyed reading my article. If you like the article, consider sharing it with your friends and family.
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