Bavaria Christmas Markets: Day 11 - Krampuslauf!!

 I need to get up early to take an overnight trip to my last market in Augsburg, so I'm going to try to make this quick (yeah, good luck Donna).

Got up early, got moving late (again), and this time I was mad because I wanted to see the Glockenspiel at the Rathaus in action.  I also have been dealing with a daily cramp in my right thigh when I start out on my adventures each morning.  Yes, I know what to do to avoid them...but do I warm up before an early morning brisk walk in the cold...noooooooooo...

Anyway, got to the second showing of the spectacle when it was about halfway done.  I recorded the rest:

Sorry for the camera shake.  My leg was hurting, so I was shifting around.  I'm hoping to get back later this week for another try of the whole thing.  I also have a phone tripod that maybe I can set up...we'll see.

Here's what it actually looks like head-on.  The first part is the story of the marriage of that couple in the upper section. 

I then heard a familiar noise.  

The sound of the bells that Krampus wear around their waists.  I found a group that was moving their costumes to the staging area

I then decided to scope out the area to see if I could figure out the Krampuslauf route.  I ended up at Rinder Markt, where there were several interesting food stall set up and a booth selling fire tong punch.  I wanted to try it, but I needed food first.

I found a place that was serving fire roasted salmon and I opted for the sandwich.  You could also get a plate with a bit of salmon and a baked potato on the side or potato soup with salmon in it.

I stood next to the window by where the salmon was being roasted on planks next to a wood fire.

A little closer.  It was delicious!

I was then able to get my fire tong punch.  It was similar to, but sweeter and not as spicy as gluhwein.  Still wine based though. 

It's made in these big copper kettles and ladled out into earthenware cups (no handles, so it's a bit hot).  I didn't keep the cup and got my 4 Euro back. 

There was actually an area under the roof kind of indoors with one teeny bench.  I had it all to myself.

Rinder Markt was very pretty and was a good place to get food and drink.  Small but worth the short walk from the main Christmas Market.

I then made my way to the Krampuslauf route.  It was an hour and a half before the run and I was one of a few people there.  

I chose my spot strategically, right where that highlighted red X is.  The would come right at me, then turn. 

About an hour before the Krampus arrived, it started to get really full.  

There was a big police presence.  This officer was really funny and was taking selfies with the tourists. 

You could see them lining up at the start, and they had a police escort to lead them down the route.  They started on a pedestrian street, but traffic was stopped on a couple of side streets for the event.

This was the cutest little Krampus.  He was obviously a child in a child sized costume.  Krampus in training.

At one point, I got a head-pat by one of the characters.  A young lady next to me captured the moment and sent me the pic.  I was actually videoing when it happened:

The end of the event is the appearance of Saint Nicholas.  At this point, those of us in front had been pushed several inches into the street.  I had a mother practically barrel me over shoving her kids out to meet Saint Nick.  

It had started to drizzle at the start of the run.  Luckily, it waited for the end for it to actually rain.  We all headed to shelter and I decided not to get drenched a second night in a row.  Whipped out the umbrella and trudged back to the hotel.

I discovered that a lot of Syrian refugees live in and around the area of my hotel.  Today, the government of that country was overthrown and there was some partying in the streets.  People speeding through in their cars waving the Syrian flag.  About a block from the hotel, I had to push through a crowd that was literally partying in the street.  It was loud and a bit rowdy, but not really scary.  I got through and into my hotel without trouble.  

Another adventure on holiday.  I need to pack up and get ready for my last side trip tomorrow.  More later!