Touching the ring for luck, a German passerby helps me point out the gold ring. Located in the Hauptmarkt in front of the Frauenik Kirche, the area is surrounded by shops with appeal to the tourist.

Nuremberg Carnival

When one thinks of carnival, the MardiGras in New Orleans or the carnival sites of Rio in Argentina come to mind. But all of Europe has their own way of enjoying the Lenten and spring carnival time. Booths are erected and shopping becomes a fun time to explore.

  

Konigstrasse fills with booths. Strolling minstrels huddle near the church out of the wind. Their songs can be heard up and down the cobblestone streets. In the distance the fort walls of the city, in the foreground the fountains are still covered and protected from freezing. Just ahead and down the hillside is the river Pegnitz. The CafeHaus is a good meeting place and has great sweet treats and steaming coffee after a walk in the city.

Another treat which is truly of this town and a part of Germany is gingerbread. In all shapes, sizes, and packaging they are welcoming the visitors to sample their heritage. Stopping in at their shop (the factory is outside of town) they were making the equivalent of a gingerbread fruitcake.