Though the day started (and ended) with rain, we did not let our moods dampen. We took the train in at 930am so we would could catch the best flea market offerings before they were all snapped up. Stalls lined every side street. The goods for sale were nothing like those at Canadian flea markets. Instead of McDonalds toys and VHS’s from the early ‘90’s, antique silver spoon sets, tea cups and framed paintings were for sale. I purchased a beautiful green and gold tea cup made in the Czech which Jonas was able to wrangle down to 10 Euro.
Before the rain became too heavy, we followed the sound of drumming to the main square beneath the church. Drummers, trumpeters and flag throwers dressed in Medieval garb came marching from all directions to meet up in the middle of the square where together they performed a spectacular rush of sound and flying colour.
A few blocks over, in a square outside the university, the Medieval festival was taking place. The smell of roasting meat and onions met us on our way in and enveloped us while we stayed. Bread was being baked in old clay ovens, half-timbered huts served as taverns where drinks were poured from oak barrels into clay cups, and a pig roasted on a spit at the edge of the square. Stalls sold spice mixtures, block print paintings on linen, hand-made broomsticks, wood carvings and metal armor. One stall had filled a massive oak barrel with hot water and bubbles and was selling entry to the bath. Medieval dressed individuals sauntered about and soon became nothing special to look at.
The day was fully satisfying and felt as much like a trip back in time as it did a celebration of fall.
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