What I Miss Most About Münster!

Aside from my family and friends, that is. It's the biweekly outdoor market on the big plaza in front of the beautiful cathedral. Münster has one of the biggest and most beautiful markets I have ever seen.

Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, rain or shine, year round, vendors come from near and far, even from Holland, and set up their stands bright and early to be ready for the early birds.

My dad knows how much we love this place, and yesterday he went shopping at the market and took all these photos for you and us. I think he's trying to make us homesick so we visit soon... He's definitely starting to keep my blog in mind when he takes pictures! Danke, Papa!!

This is not a market where you can get just a few things. No, here you can do your entire grocery shopping. Now, come with me on a tour of just a few thing you can see there:

Many stands with the most delectable baked goods from grainy breads to delicious pastries,
fresh juices at a juice bar (I don't remember seeing this last time I was there - it must be new),
any vegetable or fruit you can think of from the local organic produce
to those imported from warmer climates,
all fresh,
and all arranged so beautifully,
many different kinds of potatoes (don't you just love how my dad got some of the vendors to smile for the pictures?!),
freshly picked strawberries and green and white asparagus (oh, how I miss the white asparagus),
chicken eggs, goose eggs, and those laid by the Easter bunny,
Mediterranean fare of any kind,
olives, garlic, lavender,
and many kinds of olive oils and vingears,
savory preserves,
and sweet ones,
fresh tulips from Holland,
any cut flower you'd want to bring home,
but also potted plants,
and herbs for your herb garden.
And that's not all. You can buy dairy products, cheeses, meats, fresh and smoked fish, arts and crafts, yarn for knitting, even some small animals like rabbits or little chicks. During the one year that Daniel and I lived in Münster, that is where did all our grocery shopping. We lived close, so we were able to ride our bikes there. An experience like nothing else!

When we go to Germany, we make sure to plan our flights to allow the maximum market visits. Daniel and I, my dad and sometimes my sister or a friend will slowly amble up and down the aisles, chat, take it all in and always (always!) have a coffee and breakfast at our favorite coffee stand. (This was taken one early morning on our last visit to Germany - the coffee obviously hadn't kicked in yet.)

Oh, I feel a visit coming on...

I wanted to thank you all for your heartfelt comments on my anniversary post. You all are the best!!