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Where are you, Christmas?






                                                                                By Judy Garrison | Photography by Seeing Southern




                                                              travel in search of Christmas. Not the ribbons or
                                                              bows, but of spirit and joy. In fact, no matter what
                                                           Iseason of the year I pack my bags, I travel for the
                                                           same reason. I’m in search of what fills this void that
                                                           inevitably materializes as routine and responsibilities
                                                           consume my daily agenda.
                                                                Could it be that inspiration from gods, horses and
                                                           giants could illuminate the course for discovering this
                                                           joy? Could a handmaiden from Norse mythology – Al-
                                                           runa – carry me from indifferent to festive in the span
                                                           of a week’s time?
                                                                In Amsterdam, as I boarded the Viking Longship
                                                           Alruna, named for Odin’s fierce handmaiden, my ur-
                                                           gency rose, for much like each year at this time, I
                                                           needed rejuvenation. I was sure I could recover it on
                                                           the waters of the Rhine or in the European Christmas
                                                           markets with glittering lights and festive treats. Un-
                                                           derneath my feet guiding me toward the vessel, an
                                                           iconic red carpet, reserved for celebrities and the like,
                                                           was now extended to me. In hindsight, I should have
                                                           read the signs more clearly.
                                                                For three days, I had been immersed in Amster-
                                                           dam’s culture as well as the craft of dodging bicycles,
                                                           trams and other wheeled entities. As part of my pre-
                                                           cruise extension of my eight-day Rhine Getaway, I laid
                                                           my head at the Mövenpick Hotel, floated along the il-
                                                           luminated canals with Those Dam Boat Guys, as well
                                                           as soaked up history at the Anne Frank House and
                                                           raised a glass at the Heineken Experience. Choosing
                                                           toaddthreedaysontothebeginningofmyrivercruise
                                                           experience erased the stress of work I attempted to
                                                           leave behind in the States. I was rested, and my mind
                                                           was in the game. I was ready for Alruna to unveil
                                                           Christmas.
                                                                In my cabin, I walked immediately to my balcony,
                                                                        o
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                                                           opened the sliding door, and breathed in the frosty air.
                                                              h
                                                            T
                                                                F
                                                                    t
                                                                    i
                                                                  e
                                                                   s
                                                            along the canals in
                                                            Amsterdam
            174   WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020
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