Christmas starts!

And so the Christmas starts!  This is obvious aa soon as we arrive in Strasbourg. It is crowded by comparison to everywhere we have been.
Settling into our apartment is easy and a 400m walk takes is to the supermarket - Simply. Feel so European with my shopping cart, but bags were banned here a long time ago.  Even this way, food is not cheap - one of the changes we have noticed since our visit 6 years ago. Alcohol also has increased in price, though Vin Chaud (aka Gluwhëin here near German border) is abundant; cheaper than Paris and smells better. Our e experience of it there was 'ordinary'.
After early dinner in the apartment (we had skipped lunch) we hit France's largest Christmas Market.  Breathtaking.  It seems endless and even after a few hours, we had nowhere near covered it all.  Many Christmas food options so we have bought a selection.  Many intricate Christmas decorations - quite expensive and not easily packed so resisted! And lets face it - back home the grandkids are highly unlikely ro get any wear out of those abundant Christmas outfits designed for freezing weather (gorgeous as they may be!
The sight of the towering gothic cathedral that took 400 years to build is just breathtaking. And to have a beautiful acapella group singing beside it was the stuff of goosebumps for me.
Of interest: businesses and towns are decorated. Sometimes the lights of a Christmas tree are seen through open curtains of a home, but mostly this is a community thing.  Retail displays don't scream Christmas at you-in fact despite the Christmas food they are comparatively normal. But the greatest relief is there is no muzac. Shopping is generally not accompanied by the ever repeating electronic screeching carols and songs!
In fact I think this is largely reserved for Christmas Eve. So the singers ended their repertoire with 'Goodnight Sweetheart'!
Security is high - something we appreciate. Police and military-well armed-everywhere. Our suitcases were opened and searched in order to get into the area. Whilst looking alert, the Police and Army (mostly men) do not look intimidating to us but I bet tbat would be different if intentions were different. Those weapons held at the ready look like 'business'.