Birmingham’s Christmas Markets are well-known for their popularity, often seen trending on various social media platforms. When planning a meetup with my university friend, we opted for Birmingham due to its central location between Manchester and Cardiff. To my surprise, Birmingham turned out to be even busier and rainier than Manchester, which is notorious for its busy and rainy weather.
The train journey to Birmingham was crowded, with people almost sitting on my lap due to the lack of space in the aisles. The continuous rain made it challenging to explore the market stalls, and the city was bustling beyond anything I had ever experienced, aside from London.
Navigating through the crowded stalls felt like being packed in sardines, and reaching the Bull Ring shopping center seemed impossible. Despite the festive and charming atmosphere of the markets, finding a break from the rain was tough as the covered bars were overcrowded.
While trying a traditional Bratwurst for the first time, I found it unimpressive and ended up discarding it after a few bites. The search for a lunch spot was equally challenging, with long queues at every restaurant we attempted to visit. The weather took a toll on me, leaving my hair frizzy and unkempt throughout the day.
Walking through puddles caused the dye from my Uggs to leak onto my socks, resulting in a messy situation. The unexpected weather conditions made me question if it was the worst weekend to visit. Despite the weather, the festive ambiance and time spent with my friend made the day more enjoyable.
As my friend’s train was canceled, she had to drive from Cardiff, which took her two hours. While waiting for my train, I leisurely read a book, unfazed by the typical English train delays. However, learning that my friend was stuck in traffic for over an hour while leaving Birmingham shocked me.
The day, although hectic, was brightened by the company of my university friend, making the catch-up session memorable and enjoyable. A warm shower was a comforting end to the cold and damp day. Perhaps my next visit to Birmingham will be planned after the Christmas markets have concluded.