O Little Town of Bethlehem
I’ll admit that I have a problem. For quite a few years now I just don’t have the Christmas spirit until I visit Christmastown, USA which is otherwise known as Bethlehem, PA. We stumbled upon Bethlehem quite by accident one year. We were headed to New York to visit my sister and didn’t want to make the long 7 hour trip in one fell swoop. Looking for a place to stay the night, we noted that Bethlehem had a new casino and since it was a good three hours away from home we decided to stop.
My annual donation to The Sands Casino Resort.
Although he is not much of a gambler, Don enjoys the casino for another reason. There is a location of the Carnegie Deli inside the casino. As native New Yorkers who transplanted to Dixie we don’t often get good deli food. Don attempts to cram all his favorites into one meal.
Corned beef on rye
When I am in the casino I get flashbacks of the episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” where Frank (played hilariously by Danny DeVito) is gambling with his old associates from Viet Nam. These flashbacks occur when we are being dropped off by our shuttle driver in the area where the buses from Chinatown in New York park and wait for the overnight Asian run. If you’ve never seen the show you are missing some depraved comedy.
Pow gai anyone?
The Sands also has a shopping mall so when I blew through all my gambling money I dragged Don there.
Not mall rats, mall deer.
The main drag at night
The next morning we head into town so I can get my “Ho Ho” on. The homes and shops in town just do a spectacular job with their Christmas decorations.
When my town itch has been sufficiently scratched we head over to the grounds of the old Bethlehem Steel Mill which is the current home to the annual Chriskindlemarket. This is a crafts market comprised of two huge tents with an outdoor marketplace in between the tents. It also houses a huge, diverse food court (Don’s favorite) and a stage with live seasonal entertainment.
Throngs of holiday shoppers at Chriskindlemarket
Schnitzel with noodles & sauerbraten with potato pancakes
Glassblowers at the outdoor exhibits.
When our shopping bags (and stomachs) were stuffed we trekked homeward full of the Christmas ‘spirit’. Did I mention the warm mulled wine they serve?
Merry Christmas
from Carmageddon!
Follow
3 Responses to Making Spirits Bright