On My Way To Campus, Winter

The second poem in a series of four which I wrote in between 2010 and 2013, whilst I was at university.

None but her white blanket and a robin redbreast
In an empty street where shadows start to fade.
Winter brought its comrades home and all the rest
Her frosty fingers cruelly came to raid.
With every step I took I heard another hop.
Our paces one and same in the crunches of the ice.
Silence betrays all this month; we both came to a stop.
When I turned the stranger would be gone in a trice.
It in the bushes and I on the pavement
Together on our walk while Winter made her call.
Though I didn’t see this fellow in his ruby garment,
I know we won’t be on our own when Spring revives it all.

Great delights in the Bavarian capital

If you are eager to experience a traditional European winter celebration, there is much to be discovered in Munich.

Many of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets started in Munich since the Middle Ages. Of the 20 scattered around the city, Chriskindlmarkt in Marienplatz Square is the most festive of the lot. Brightly lit and lively, you’d definitely get into the holiday spirit when you’re indulging in sausages, sugary desserts and mulled wine while browsing their wares. The historic square has much to offer at any time of the year; the famous Glockenspiel plays in the tower once a day and you could climb up St Peter’s Church for a different view of the city.

Not far from the square is the Viktualienmarkt, the city’s oldest open-air market. Selling both fresh and exotic foods such as venison, rabbit, vegetables, wines and cooked goodies, the market is a go-to place for locals to meet friends over a meal.

The Englischer Garten is another gem for those who enjoy long walks, having picnics or watching the scenery roll by. At the heart of this garden is the Chinese tower, the area surrounding it housing a Christmas market in winter and a beer garden during the warmer months. River surfing is popular here so it isn’t surprising to see people hitting the currents no matter how chilly it is.

It would also be worth spending a day or two in Füssen, a village roughly two hours away by train. Here , Neushwanstein Castle graces the hills of a breathtaking landscape. You have the option of getting to the top by bus, by foot or by horse-drawn carriage, so it is practically a fairy-tale experience in itself. Built during the 19th century with Romantic and Gothic features, it is easy to see how it inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

The capital city of Bavaria wraps its traditions around its modern backdrop, making it a lovely city to visit regardless of the season.

Published in Concrete, Issue 278 (8 January 2013).