It's Christmas Time in The City!

Wednesday marked the half way point in my masters program! It's hard to believe that the semester is already over and I am going back to the states in a few short days. With all the papers handed in, presentations given and tests taken my friends and I were able to go into the city and enjoy Lugano at Christmas time! Wednesday night, to celebrate the end of our semester, we went to the city for aperitivo and dinner.

Without Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations start appearing rather early. The window displays have been up for a while and the advent calendars were on sale in early November. Starting December 6, on the feast of Saint Nicholas, the bakeries begin selling Grittibänzen, also known as "Christmas bread men." The bread tastes like challah and are sometimes baked to look like Santa Claus. They usually use raisins for eyes and some hold twigs and pine. Mine, below, looks more like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and his raisin eyes were swallowed in the baking process.

Christmas Bread Man from Munger

The city strings up Christmas lights throughout the streets and wraps the trees surrounding the lake for the holidays. It is so pretty and festive at night with everything lit up!

Christmas Season in Lugano!

In the piazza they have a huge Christmas tree that they decorate with gold ornaments and lights. A tree lighting ceremony on December 1, which I couldn't attend, marked the beginning of the official Christmas Season!

Christmas Tree!

The Christmas Market takes place from December 1 to January 6. In the main Piazza they set up an ice skating rink and a mini Christmas market. The stands sell food and drinks such as crepes, pretzels and hot spiced wine.

The rink, stands and lit trees in the back

Friday morning, my last full day in Lugano, I awoke to a snow covered city! Jeannie and I went to the center to walk around the Christmas Market. We got crepes from one of the many vendors and then went to our favorite cafe, Grand Cafe Al Porto, for tea, since we were freezing.

Cinnamon Sugar Crepe!

This has been an amazing semester and I cannot believe it's already over! I am so glad I met the friends I did! Lugano has really begun to feel like home, so although I'm excited to return to the states for a little, I am very much looking forward to come back to Lugano for a few more months!

Merry Christmas!!