This comment is from Andrew Ference, Bruins Defenseman, on the post Attempting to Make Christmas Not Suck This Year. 

If I could bring one thing home from the Czech Republic with me it would be the town square. It is the center of town filled with people and activity year round but this month it transforms into something truly special. I am living in Ceske Budejovice, 2 hours south of Prague, and the advent season is in full swing here. The square is filled with a Christmas market which consists of vendors selling home made crafts, traditional Czech food and drink, pony rides and a stage for music and shows. Surrounding the square
are outdoor booths all selling hot wine and a variety of ciders. The place is magnetic in a way that somehow you find yourself ending up there everyday with friends to enjoy a drink or treat together and just hang out and chat. All around are families and other groups of friends in no particular hurry to do much more than just be together. This is what the Christmas season feels like. It shouldn’t be a stressful trip to a packed mall. It shouldn’t be trying to squeeze in a quick visit with friends and family just to check it off the to do list. I hope your holidays are great Tom, I think by slowing ourselves down and just enjoying the moments for what they are instead of trying to manufacture something special, we can actually *gasp* enjoy the holidays. Safe travels buddy. Andrew

photo by daverugby83 / flickr