The best part of this ticket is that the half price applies to all the special discount tickets. I wanted to go to one of the Christmas markets held nationwide which had a special deal. I decided to go to the Montreux Christmas market since it's only about an hour away from Geneva and the size of the market isn't too daunting. A normal roundtrip ticket costs 60CHF which I was able to get it for 25CHF which is over half off.
スイスは物価が高いので交通費も馬鹿にならないのですが、年間半額カードを購入（約2万円）すると、国内全ての列車が列車と市内の交通が割引になるので長期滞在者にとってはかなりお得。先週やっとカードを取得したのでさっそく近場に行って見る事に。
Montreux is the first city I came to in Switzerland when my dear friend Nancy was going to business school there. I remember we did go to the Christmas market during that time too and had some good memories. Never would I imagined I would return 7 years later!
やってきたのはジュネーブから約1時間、ルマン湖の畔にある小さな街、モントルー。実は8年前初めてスイスに来たときに着いた最初の街がここ。当時 友人がここの街の学校に行っていたので遊びに行ったのがきっかけ。その時もクリスマス間近で毎年恒例のクリスマス市をやっていた記憶があるので再度行って みることに。
The basic rule of thumb for Christmas market is that the more German it is, the more decadent and large-scale. Being in the French part the Montreux market may be a disappointment for some. But if you just want to experience the holiday season in Europe and get some nice food to munch on, this market isn't too bad. It is not horribly crowded and the ambiance is very nice.
それにしても8年後ここに場所に戻ってくるとは思ってもいなかったな～
クリスマス市は基本的にドイツが本場なので本当に雰囲気を味わいたいのならスイス・ドイツ圏（バーゼル市、バーン市など）がおすすめです。でも個人的には落ち着いたフランス系クリスマス市も好きです。しかもここは市がルマン湖畔沿いで開催されているので景色も空気もいいんですよー
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| Babushikas for presents..why not? |
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| waffles and crepes |
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| rows of candy shops..looks yummy |
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| beautiful candle holders |
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| book blings |
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| fois gras! |
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| A big pot of tartiflettes! |
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| mmm yummy sweets and pasteries |
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| This boy is swaggin' |
Did I mention the market is right by the lake which has an amazing sunset view?
ちょうど午後から夕方にかけて行ってきたのでゆっくりと日が沈む光景が観れて本当にきれいでした☆
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| Btw the statue is of Freddie Mercury from Queen in collaboration with Santa! :) クイーンのフレディー像とサンタさんの特別コラボ 笑 |
Of course, I couldn't afford much but I bought a few foods at the stands, presents for friends, and also an apron. It was just the one I've been looking for for years so it was a nice buy.
さてさて恒例のお土産偏。エプロンをこの3年間さがしてたんだけど、自分の好みのデザインや生地のものを探すは意外に難しくついに市で遭遇！18フラン（約2200円）でお買い得でした♪
これはお友達のお土産用のホットチョコレートキット。まるでカレールーのようにチョコレートを固まりをそのまま熱湯、または暖かいミルクに入れるとホットチョコレートが簡単にできる☆ しかも取って部分は混ぜるスプーンに早替わり！ダークチョコレート、シナモンチョコレートなどいろいろ種類があるのでバラマキお土産にぴったり
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| Instant chocolate |
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| You just dunk the whole thing in hot water (or milk) and stir until it melts. 100% natural and looks yummy! |
Ever since I left the US, I stopped really celebrating Christmas - the last 6 Christmas I was working since it's not a public holiday in Tokyo. But even at work, I still had people around me I can celebrate with. This year it was winter break I was stuck all alone for Christmas Eve this year. The Christmas market was a good way to be around people and a good holiday season atmosphere. And don't worry, even though I was walking around alone I didn't feel too lonely since I was texting with R and friends most of the time. Thank goodness to modern technology!
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| Melted cheese over potatotes...what can possibly go wrong with that? Rを始め、フランス人はフォンデュよりも↑のラクレット派が多い。フライパンでチーズをトロトロにしてゆでたジャガイモの上にクリーンランディング♪ たしかにこっち方がさっぱりしています。 |
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| 焼きたてチュロス！アメリカやディズニーランドではシナモンシュガーがけが主流ですがあたしはシュガーのみ派。揚げたてはホントーにおいしいっっ |
In any case regardless of my circumstances holiday season brings back nice and fuzzy childhood memories and of course lots of good food all around!
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