Where else can you visit an embassy AND do some Christmas shopping? The answer: Our nation’s capital, Washington, DC! We started our holiday shopping early this year and plan to attend several other local Christmas Markets in the next two months. What do you do when you are not ready to travel internationally because of health safety issues? You visit the embassy! We took some time Saturday morning to visit the Czech Embassy and do a little early Christmas shopping. One of our fond memories of the Czech Republic was visiting Cesky Krumlov – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a couple years ago.
As we traveled along a beautiful, winding road with fall trees, meandering water and waterfalls and huge arched bridges, we marveled at the beauty around us. We passed such icons on our way as the Watergate Hotel, the first Marriott Hotel in the United States, Kennedy Center, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and traveled over the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge. Where else can you see all these historic places on a scenic drive to an embassy Christmas market?
The market was full of beautiful glass ornaments (one of which came home with us), jewelry made with Czech beads, traditional pastries, wine and food. There was also a live nativity complete with animals. The only thing really missing was a place to sit! This lack of seating is typical of the European markets we have visited.
We love going to Christmas markets both overseas and at home. The plan is to visit as many as we can locally. Not that we really NEED any more Christmas decorations but it’s fun looking and finding that one thing that speaks to you and says, “Take me home.”
Here’s a bit of history about Czech Christmas traditions –
Christmas is the most important holiday in the Czech Republic. The main part of Christmas is celebrated December 24 and is called Generous Day. It is a time when families get together, observe thousand year-old traditions in order to give thanks for the past year and bring fortune and good health to the next, and prepare the most festive dinner of the year.
As the Czechs say at this time of year
Twenty Steps at a Time 
Oh the places we go! 🎄❤️
On Sat, Nov 6, 2021 at 2:41 PM Twenty Steps at a Time wrote:
> 20StepsAtATime posted: ” Where else can you visit an embassy AND do some > Christmas shopping? The answer: Our nation’s capital, Washington, DC! We > started our holiday shopping early this year and plan to attend several > other local Christmas Markets in the next two months. Wha” >
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