Winter food and working out — this December in a nutshell.

The past week has been super busy. My university program hosted a conference, which was spectacular — lots of interesting discussions about heritage, conflict and disaster response. I was busy running up and down the aisles as the technology liaison, making sure our cameras and microphones were all working. After three days, I was definitely ready for a break and to catch up on sleep!

This past Sunday, a friend and I led the inaugural Cottbus Winter Wobble, a 10k run we’ve been planning for the past month. The day started by POURING rain, but our hard work paid off with a spectacular run had by all. 🙂 Though to be honest, most of our preparation involved procuring Santa hats and organizing a place for post-run celebratory cookies.

Photo credit to our amazing time keeper and cookie provider. Thanks, Natalie!

Meanwhile, town continues to be surprisingly picturesque. We had an unexpected one day thaw, where we reached a balmy 12°C / 53°F. Other than that day, it’s been below freezing every morning here. I’m hearing the siren songs of California “winter” calling out to me…

Regardless of rain, shine, sleet and snow, the Christmas market in town continues to go strong. Although I’m not sure if it’s correct to call it a Christmas market when it’s definitely proving to be more like an “All-of-winter” market.

The latest addition is a food stand selling boar meat. The vendors have livened up the stall with some tasteful taxidermy, of course.

The actual boar meat for sale looks pretty brutal. I haven’t committed to eating it yet, and not just because of the appearance. Instead, I’m hesitant because of that classic winter concern……radioactivity.

No, really.

Apparently there’s a ton of radioactive wild boar from Saxony, which is the region to the south of my city. Not that I’m particularly worried about radioactive boar consumption, but just to be on the safe side…I’ll let that nice skull keep grinning away from me, eh?

Besides boar, the market has a ton of other good food options. The bakery section has outstanding pastries, made by wrapping dough around a wooden rod and then baking the rods over coals. The end pastry is rolled in sugar and cinnamon, so they’re kinda like big cinnamon roll straws.

And of course, what winter market is complete without some casually smoking salmon. I’ve never actually seen anyone buy the salmon, but it’s always pinned up and smoking when I walk by.

This is our last official week of school for the 2016 year, then we’re off for two weeks. I’ll be traveling, so the next update may not be regularly scheduled. Until then, tschüss!

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