Thousands and thousands

With thousands and thousands we walked down the city centre of Delft where a candlelight event was held so to get in the mood for Xmas.

Stalls on the streets with goodies to buy and beverages to warm up and choirs singing Christmas carols in all kinds of medleys and in our thousands we visitors strolled across the streets and squares from stall to church and backwards.
Even in the churches glühwein and hot choclatdrinks were on sale but with a cuppa in the hand no one joined in the carol singing in like that's done in the churches of Gouda - I wonder if this was on purpose or a difference of the locals.

Such a candlelight event started off in the mid 50-ies in Gouda with the lighting of the lights in the norwegian Xmas tree on the central square in town and the lighting of the candles in the windowsills around that square, then the mayor gave a speech and christmas carols were sung and over the years this event did not just appeal to the locals of Gouda but from all over the country people came to enjoy the Xmas vibes of this candle town Gouda (apart from the Gouda cheese, Gouda is also known for its product of candles). Anyway at Gouda visitors are welcomed to join in the carol singing in the churches, didn't hear so yesterday in Delft.

For some 10 years other towns also organise a candlelight eve and on the same eve as Gouda does in order to spread the crowds a little; so one needs to choose between the near by town or travels to go up to Gouda and whatever the outcome is it's walking in thousands and thousands through the city centres and enjoying the December atmosphere of celebration and togethernes.