 Christmas Markets are a newer tradition for me, and one I'm learning to embrace In my family, today is always a day of great significance. There was something wholesome and special about leaving my shoes or slippers out the night before, only to wake and see if St. Nicholas left anything for my twin brother and me. Even now, years later, I see the date and have to do a double-take, curious whether St. Nicholas could find his way to Morocco, of all places. Alas, nothing yet as of this message, but perhaps he’s working on Eastern Time. Possibly to give St. Nicholas a helping hand, I will try my luck at the Christmas Market today at the Legation, the first marker of early American-Moroccan relations, when the young nation sought assistance in dealing with the Barbary Pirates and safe passage into the Mediterranean. Honestly, who would have thought that Morocco was the first nation to recognise American independence, back in 1777, when the colonies were still fighting to break free from British rule? I, for one, didn’t know this bit of history until I made the move over the Atlantic. How that deals with St. Nicholas, I couldn’t tell you the least, save the Legation puts on a market every year with stalls and vendors that mark the Christmas season. This won’t be a repeat of my Christmas adventures in Poland or the Baltics, but it’s better than nothing. Should St. Nicholas not do his part, I can at least honour the tradition my family has followed for now generations. Speaking of tradition, this is a big deal in the Kuiper household. In many ways, it was more important than Christmas or Boxing Day (when I pushed for our gifts to be exchanged later). Growing up Catholic, it was one of those added holidays, but it took on a spirit of its own, because I, for one, never really understood why we were exchanging gifts and going all commercial on Jesus’s birthday. Isn’t Christmas supposed to be about the birth of Christ and family? I’m asking for a friend, clearly. I know, deep thoughts for an eight-year-old. But I recall thinking as much and also deciding that the proper earmark of St. Nicholas Day wasn’t Christmas but the Epiphany, when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem to give their gifts to baby Jesus. Traditions are fun to create, have, and honour. Especially over the holidays - my family and I have been visiting the Shrine for almost thirty yearsEven a few years ago, when I was living in Poland, I wanted to take the plunge that is so common in Orthodox Christian circles. I could have gone about this in an entirely different way. Yet, I decided to visit Bialystok (a city near the Belarusian border in northern Poland) with the intention of baptising myself regardless of the temperature. How many times had I seen people chipping away at the ice on New Year’s Day, especially in Russia, and doing the same deed? This was a great idea at the time until it wasn’t. The morning of my plunge was cold, at 17 degrees. I still have the short on YouTube. While the clip is legendary in its own right, I can’t tell you much about the actual dip in that frigid pond water, but I remember the three-mile walk back to my hotel room that followed, including the layover at McDonald’s to warm up with a winter tea. Where I was consumed with creating this new tradition, or more like appropriating another European one as my own, the fact remained that the plunge meant nothing after I shivered away on that beach, alone and wet. The wind didn’t help matters, and my scarf, gloves, and winter coat did nothing for a body shocked by the combination of stupidity and a desire to be different. Have I tried this religious renewal since? Nope, I can’t say I have. There was an opportunity in Maine, but even I’m not stupid enough to jump into the ocean where they have hypothermia warnings in the middle of summer. What would my mother say about that rational thought? As for the lakes, I’m not chipping away with an axe when I know some snapple turtle is waiting to take a chunk out of my leg. No, it’s far easier to stick to the tried-and-true and leave out my shoes, hoping St. Nicholas will find his way to my apartment in Tangier. Still, even if he doesn’t, I can reach out to my mom and reminisce about previous holidays, about the joy it brought to my brother and me. This morning, I’m even going to take a moment to think about my first boarding school assignment in Arkansas, of all places. Over twenty years ago, my fellow dorm staff and I picked up candy and other goodies for the boys on our floor, knowing that St. Nicholas would be too busy elsewhere to stop off at Subiaco. Even now, I smile remembering these teenagers putting their slippers and shoes out the night before, with some aware of the tradition and others experiencing it for the first time. From our boys native to South Korea, Mexico, or neighbouring Oklahoma, the smiles at a simple sugary treat as they left their rooms for a busy day of school were a delight to see. Whatever your traditions are this time of year, may you find warmth, smiles, and blessings in them and the happiness from days past, present, and future. Shifting gears for book fans, I do want to add that on St. Nicholas Day, the real gift for me is knowing Double Cross is off to the copy editor and, if all goes as planned, will be back in my hands before the Epiphany. This means that after my final read-through in January, the book will either be ready to go at the end of the month or, at the latest, by Valentine’s Day. Then again, this also assumes the story passes my beta readers and their commentary. I’m optimistic everything will fall into place, and I will keep you posted. With perspective, the accelerated timeline is not too shabby for a book written this fall season.
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How to Slow Down in December: Five Lessons for Coping With Holiday Stress, Loss, and Burnout12/3/2025  The Holidays are Here! If there is one thing I appreciate about this time of year, it has to be that, even though a lot is going on, the approaching quiet of the winter season always puts things in perspective. As I plan for the next few weeks and get caught up on daily living before the chaos of holiday traveling and family bonding takes over, I can’t help but smile. I know that colder temps, shorter days, and evenings at home are on the docket, and whatever trying moments present themselves can be cast aside for better, low-key options. December can be a nightmare for many, especially introverts who are guilted into socializing when they might not be able to, but the month doesn’t have to be a total loss. When the holidays come, we deal with so much stress, but we can also take things as they are and, if necessary, slow down to rest and reflect on the highs and lows of the year. We can hit pause and retreat within, without feeling remorse for putting our needs first. I’ve practiced this mantra for years, not only for self-preservation, but also to recover from the roller coaster that is teaching and life among energy vampires and time voids (here’s looking at you, Chat-GPT), who use up our limited resources. Knowing this, I wanted to recycle a post I wrote in December 2013 when I was under the impression that a short, simple blog would drive more book sales. We’ll focus on that reality check at a later date, when I’m not cringing at my ego ten plus years ago, thinking only a Patch.com article would do the trick. At the time, Running with Vince was the focal point, and while I negotiated a Saturday half-hour podcast and weekly blogs, the grind of the school year, combined with this drive to push a book about twin brothers navigating grief, was untenable. Don’t misunderstand, I’m doing more balancing now with new books, travel vlogs, and weekly blogs for this website, but with more experience and better balance, speaking about grief and how we deal with loss, not only during the holidays but daily, doesn’t drain me the way it did before. Life is fascinating: at some points in our life cycle, we learn to function better, balance, and make sure things work in ways that serve us more productively and true to our beings.  A lunch out in southern Italy might have you through the season. If you can't catch the plane do something local for yourself instead. Five Things to Keep you SaneWith this understanding, and knowing that the holiday season is now underway, yes, we already knocked out Thanksgiving and are fast approaching Mariah Carey’s favorite holiday of the year. I wanted to share five things my students constantly remind me to follow, especially during this season. Furthermore, when moving forward from loss, these are good things to consider.
Be patient - Many of us are in a rush this season between functions, work, and even gatherings with loved ones, so we lose sight of the present moment. There is nothing wrong with slowing down and taking each moment as it comes. There is nothing cliché about this concept; it's just that when we rush through life, we miss the experiences that matter most. Be kind – How many times have we heard this from our parents when we were little kids playing with others? Better yet, how many times have you been told to be nice to your brother or sister? Siblings aside, this is a season not based on hate but on love and giving. Swearing at others, putting people down, bullying, or, as I saw firsthand this morning, screaming and grunting at your children in a parking lot because they forgot their book bag, is not going to serve any purpose. Be patient and be kind to those around you. Kindness is contagious. Listen – In Acupuncture school, I remember comparing our ears to our mouths. As you may be aware, we have two ears and one mouth. Therefore, as explained to me, if God wanted us to talk more, the numbers would be reversed, ie, we would have two mouths. That is not the case, so biologically speaking, we are designed to listen first and talk second. How many of you listen? Seriously, though, there is something said for taking a step back to hear what others are saying. We can listen long enough to put our personal agendas aside, and when we do that, you might be amazed at what you learn. Have fun and laugh – I am going to combine four and five simply because, from my perspective, they are the same. We can’t go through this season in such a serious state, where we lose sight of the theme of reuniting with family and friends and/or developing new relationships. When you get together with others, it shouldn’t be a gloomy period but one of harmonious activities and bonding. There is nothing wrong with laughing, enjoying the moments, and the company you keep. Especially for those who have experienced loss, part of moving forward is smiling again and laughing. To recap, be patient, be kind, listen, have fun, and laugh this holiday season. It will make the time more rewarding and worthwhile. Furthermore, you might find yourself a happier person, and those around you will be happier as well. If you enjoy yourself enough, maybe your New Year’s resolution will be to embrace these concepts in the year ahead. If not, that’s all good too. When Tangier’s Noise Meets Christmas Market Season Krakow at Christmas Time Why there is hammering at 7:45 in the morning, in central Tangier, is downright comical. The city has it in for people who stay here long-term. Come on, on a holiday of all sorts, you can’t wait until at least nine to get started. While I want to dwell on the incessant noise that plagues this area, I must admit that I’ve never experienced anything like it before and likely never will again. If you want some silence, good luck finding some in a place where reprieves are a joke and fleeting at best. I’m confident there are better topics for us to focus on for this week’s latest blog. With the Christmas season underway, it’s only fitting that we shift our focus to Christmas Markets and some dos and don’ts. Before we dive in on my limited experience, I’ll say the go-to for all things related to this season is definitely Intothebloom.com. There you’ll find thorough, excellent, and insightful blogs and reports on individual cities and their markets. I know I found many tips and ideas on Dominika’s site for all of my travels. My Early Christmas Market Adventures Reindeer on vacation in Brindisi, Italy The Christmas Market season is one I have enjoyed participating in over the last three years, although I can trace my first foray into that world back to 2016, when I flew to Vienna for a conference. My colleagues and I were fortunate enough to schedule our annual school PD sessions for the end of November, which coincided with the opening of the Christmas Markets in Bratislava and Vienna. Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but Bratislava’s won my heart that year. How one can’t fall in love with a Christmas Market that’s in the middle of an old town square with a magnificent castle in the background is beyond me. Throw in some food vendors, mulled wine, or, in my case, hot chocolate and decorations galore, you might be onto something. Don’t get me wrong, Vienna was fine too, but Bratislava’s at the time wasn’t mobbed and had an old village charm that kept the tourists out and the locals happy. The Don’ts Every Christmas Market Traveler Should Know Let’s discuss the ins and outs of what you shouldn’t do during the Christmas Market season. 1. Don’t show up without cash. I’m serious about this one. Although the major markets accept cards, it's best to avoid hassle and bring some money. You don’t have to worry if the internet goes down or there’s a small vendor who only takes Euros. I went to Berlin a few years ago to experience an Anglican Church market, and to my surprise, they only took loose change and bills. Talk about a reality check. I walked for an hour, one way, from my hotel, in the snow and cold, simply to hear a drum and bugle corps, and then retreat without any sausage in my tummy from this blunder. 2. Don’t check the dates and just wing it. This might seem like common sense, but not to this traveler. Even two weekends ago, when I was in Cambridge, I had assumed that since the Christmas festivities had started in London, anything Cambridge would be doing would also start around the same time. Surprise, surprise, their winter wonderland began three days later, and after I returned home. This also happened when I lived in Krakow. I knew the St. Joseph’s market would be on one of the weekends in December. Heck, I just assumed it would be for several weekends just like the primary market. I even saw them set up the stalls, but guess which braniac booked an alternative trip for the only weekend they were running their beautiful market? Yeah, this guy. Don’t get me started on the fact that I believed the Gdansk and Vilnius markets were running after Christmas through New Year's. Thankfully, Riga does :) 3. Don’t assume all the markets have stalls. This one doesn’t require much research, but then again, if you are flying to random European cities hoping to catch a market and are under the impression they are all the same, you'll likely experience disappointment. Then again, the wonderful Reddit folk who trash markets like those in Kaunas and Vilnius for their lack of stalls, also likely complain about everything. Of course, I have vlogs from both of these that will show they are still lively and lovely events, even if they don’t feature the wooden stands that are so prevalent in other parts of Europe, such as Tallinn and Krakow. 4. Don’t stay in the center of the markets and then complain about the noise. Frankly, this should be a no-brainer, but then again, for some reason, my fellow Americans are under the impression that all the markets close at 5 pm or 8 pm. If you can’t deal with residual noise, booking an apartment or a hotel room in the center square of a primary market is a big no-no. The markets might stay open till ten, but to say the party ends then would be idiocy. Let’s also talk about apartment prices. If you are planning to pay out the wazoo, this is a great option to do so, as opposed to finding a suitable place that might be a twenty-minute walk or a tram ride away. 5. Don’t go thinking there will be no crowds. Should you elect to go to one of the known markets, especially in France or Germany, if you are under the impression that there are quiet times of the day to explore these hamlets and their markets, good luck. Unless you are an early morning person, like me, who wants to walk around and simply take in the ambiance without any stalls or vendors open, this will prove a challenge. Influencers, beware, you will be editing people out of your photos. Then again, if you simply want to walk through, that’s fine, but don’t assume there will be fewer lines at a particular time, especially on weekends or Friday nights. Let’s use some common sense. 6. Don’t buy everything you see, thinking it’s local. The Chinese have cornered these markets, no, seriously. One would assume that the souvenirs are manufactured in the region and handmade, but that is not always the case. It’s worth doing some research and pausing before you buy every nativity scene and ornament that tickles your fancy. Sadly, this is the same for food. I've heard that the prices in Gdansk and Krakow are almost criminal if you don’t read the fine print, specifically the price per gram. It’s good to try the delicacies, but for every melted cheese dish, there is currywurst from frozen sausages. Double-check the prices and ask where the food comes from. 7. Don’t let the weather impact your trip. Honestly, this might be the biggest complaint I’ve heard from those Hallmark-obsessed viewers who think every Christmas season in Vienna is snow-covered streets and a brisk breeze. With changing weather patterns, this isn’t the 1970s when the winter season in Europe meant snow and cold. You might get some, but you can also luck out with freezing rain and soaked clothes. A quick way to mitigate the weather is to pack for the worst and have an umbrella, maybe even a raincoat. Who cares if the weather takes a turn for the worse, as long as you make the most of the adventure? 8. Don’t forget your prescriptions, pills, and toilet paper. Again, this is no joke for my fellow Americans. Sure, Europe has medicine and hygiene items, but there’s something said for not having to figure out the side effects and correct dosage of a European brand over something you rely on from home. And toilet paper ― while my friend says you can simply steal some when you arrive by taking napkins from restaurants, I have always traveled with a bag of T.P. because you might come across a public restroom that hasn’t been restocked, or God forbid, an apartment rental that left you two sheets for wiping before you can get out and buy extra. One more thing, see number one… exchange some money because not every bathroom takes cards. Yep, you do pay for numbers one and two in this part of the world. Parting words and Christmas travel vlogsI’m sure there are more than eight don’ts for the Christmas market season, but it’s enough to get you started. If you want to see what markets are like firsthand, I’m sharing several of my Christmas vlogs from last year. You’ll get a better idea of what to expect and might even plan accordingly. Till next time. Jonny With the new book in completed draft form, it was time for a reprieve. What would be better than another round on Ryanair to see truly if they can get me on time two trips in a row? I’m pleased to report that, in fact, I did arrive on time, even after it took us thirty additional minutes to board, mainly because the idiots (passengers) couldn’t get to the correct seats and wanted to continue to delay the inevitable. The Great Seat Swap Saga: When Courtesy Takes a Nosedive The eventual goal of the trip While I should focus on the actual destination of Cambridge, let’s continue this diatribe about said idiots. Honestly, I’m continually baffled when I fly and encounter the entitled behavior of some passengers. On the first flight, this guy and his girlfriend were quick to ask the passenger who had paid for the window seat to switch to another window seat three rows up so they could sit together. Truly, the nerve. You can debate this till the cows come home, but if I paid for the window seat and it’s the second row to get off the plane, don’t even bother asking. Also, don’t ask when I know you could have paid extra to sit together. This schmuck relented even after his girlfriend pleaded to the window guy to change seats. Both even got irate about the entire ordeal, stating it didn’t make sense, as it was a fair trade. For whom is my question? He continued to brood up and down the aisle, debating on who else to ask. He even tried the stewardesses who wanted him to simply sit his tuchus down in the correct seat and be done with it. But no, he waited for everyone to board and then reluctantly slid into his assigned window seat. More begging ensued as he talked to everyone in his row, hoping someone would let him swap seats. Cue the sobbing in the row behind me, where his girlfriend decided it was time to put on a show. She made sure to be extra dramatic, giving the occasional look to the gentleman who wouldn’t trade seats. At this point, I thought we were good to go, but dufus somehow got the aisle seat in his row to swap with him. There is no way I’m swapping those seats again if I paid for it and it’s allegedly a three-hour flight. Meanwhile, the rest of the plane is seated, ready to get going, and this guy then gets up to go back to his girlfriend. She’s in tears, hamming it up for the old woman sitting in their aisle seat, pleading to her gentle nature to swap seats so that he can take away the insufferable pain. For the sake of all of us, the Samaritan agreed to move, and just in time, as the stewardess told the man to return to his seat. They were doing the safety demonstration after all, but he didn’t care. My favorite was the line thrown out, “We can’t leave until everyone is seated.” He unabashedly replied with, “I know.” As though he wasn’t the bloody problem. Within thirty seconds, the seat swap had occurred. Magically, the tears were washed away, and aside from the chorus of two infants on opposite seats crying out to let us all know that it was time to leave, the fun with this couple was only getting started. The fasten seat belt sign hadn’t even been turned off when he was already out of his seat, swapping bags, and then paying a quick trip to the old lady who simply wanted to read her Koran and be done with him and his needy partner. No, he insisted, ready to whisper words of his dying appreciations for her generosity and spirit, even offering to compensate her with a tea or coffee if she so desired. It was an absolute pleasure to watch, and even more so, to see his girlfriend move to the aisle without once trembling or shaking over the fear of flying. She even found the ability to give the passenger who wouldn’t relinquish his assigned spot several side eyes, and I believe a sigh or two. Her overcompensating partner was forced to sit between them, because clearly, window seat guy had forever wronged this sweet woman. Barefoot Bliss and Other In-Flight AtrocitiesI wish I could say these two were the best passengers I encountered on this trip, but there clearly was something about this area of the plane. I can’t even make this up that on the return flight, the same seats took up more of my attention. In this case, it was some middle-aged couple who celebrated the fact that no one had taken the middle, thus allowing the wife to slide over to the magical window seat and get some space from her husband. She was quick to spread her legs and kick up her bare feet into the armrest on the opposing row. No joke. There were her ugly, smelly dogs sprawled out between the seats, ready to tickle whoever decided to sit in that spot. At one point, she retracted her feet and insisted her husband, who was more consumed with watching movies on his phone at full volume, for all of us to hear, give her a proper foot massage. Since he couldn’t hear anything coming from his phone, but I could, he pushed her feet away and moved to the empty row in front of them. Within a short time, both of them were sprawled out across all three seats, like it was some memorable holiday. I was simply relieved to watch him put his phone away and get the shut-eye he clearly deserved. Then again, why did they decide it was their right to now claim six seats as opposed to the two they paid for? I considered the same for this other gentleman, who did the same in his row, but unlike those two travelers, he was not concerned about his luck and slept face down with his sock-covered feet dangling in the air. Maybe I’m just blessed to experience all the joys of flying. With these three debutants enjoying the good life, I was forced to hear the banging of a tablet five rows up, where three kids fought over some game. Their parents didn’t seem to care, as they were smart enough to bring AirPods for personal use, but not entirely on board with doing the same for their kids. I wanted to ignore the show and get some sleep after my whirlwind trip to England, but between all the commotion and the old woman next to me who wouldn’t leave me alone, it was trying at best. First, she wanted to give me some dates, and I was like, “I’m too young for you, ma’am,” but she insisted, saying it was good for my digestive tract while flying. To be frank, I didn’t want to experiment with this fruit and have some unfortunate episode as the plane descended back to Morocco. I closed my eyes, hoping she would get the hint, only to stir minutes later after she moved herself to the middle seat. Instead of simply tapping me on the arm, let alone speaking at a voice level higher than a whisper, the old lady stared and waited for me to come to so she could relieve herself in the facilities. Miracle Landing: Ryanair’s Redemption (Sort Of)The flight came to a merciful end with the stewardesses alerting the four children that they had to return to their seats as we were still taxing the aircraft. The same message was shared for the tall fellow in the front, who also thought the moment we landed was the cue to stand up and start gathering his things. On a positive note, both flights were on time, but that’s only because Ryanair adds thirty minutes to their travel time. When the pilot says it’s a two-hour and thirty-minute flight, but the ticket says three hours and ten, you do the math. As the on-time theme played in the background and the email was sent to let me know the same, I disembarked, ready to return to my real life. With only a few weeks until the next adventure, the real questions remain: which Ryanair streak will continue, funny passengers or on-time arrivals? There’s no way this can continue, and one of these has to give. What do you think? Do you have the same luck when you travel? Are you as blessed? And for those hoping for a travel report, just watch this instead till next time. Jonny With my escape to England now complete, it only makes sense to share a proper description for my new Russell Stokes book. Let's be clear now, this description is simply a preview for the upcoming book that will be out in spring 2026. I still have to send it off to my copy editor before I can schedule the actual release date. The greater question is does this book interest you? Have you read the first book in the series, because if you haven't that's where we first meet Russell and see the events that immediately lead to Double Cross. I know I'm tooting my own horn, but it's honestly worth a look. As for the new book, I think it's the best one I've written out of the twenty one books composed over the years.  Double Cross: A Stokes Case #2 |
Meet Mr. Jon- a traveler at heart who loves a good story and walk. Jonathan has over twenty years experience in independent publishing. While he prides himself on crafting a good story, nothing truly beats an adventure and a camera. 
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