Merry Christmas! Have a prune.

John and I spent this weekend in Görlitz and Dresden, exploring the cities and strolling through the markets. It was a fabulous weekend. We had excellent company, good food, and lots to see. I have posted the pictures up on Picasa if you want to take a look.

The markets are full of traditional German food and decorations. By far, the weirdest were the Zwetschgenmännlein, or prune people. These figurines are a specialty of Nürnberg, but were being sold in Dresden. Traditionally they are about 8 inches tall. Their bodies are made of prunes strung together on wires. They have raisin hands and peanut feet. Their faces are made from painted walnuts. They usually look like farmers, musicians, or chimney sweeps but apparently can be created to look like just about any profession. They are creepy.

Here's a bit of advice from the sellers of the prune people: "You will never be without gold and happiness, if you have a prune person in your house." Prune propaganda? I think so.