Downtown Holiday Market Tour

A rainy day in Washington, DC

Yesterday, the rain poured in DC all day like pellets in a pond. The drops were so full and fat that after just minutes in the rain, my shoes were beginning to soak through. I was heading to meet with a friend for drink—a hot chocolate—before heading out for the evening. On the way, I happened to see the Downtown Holiday Market, which is just across the street from the Gallery Place/Chinatown metro exit. I’d never visited the market prior to yesterday, but somehow that day, in the rain, I felt drawn to take a look.

Vendors were set up along the street in a string of white tents. There were no crowds, but that was good because there was so much to see. What I found were dozens of great gifts, from lotions and hats to handmade jewelry and homemade chocolate balls.

  

My first stop was at the tent for the Virginia Chocolate Company. They sell chocolate truffles, butter creams, caramels, and  a host of other chocolate confections in addition to jams. Chocolatier and owner Tim Douglas offered assorted chocolate gift boxes at the market yesterday. He also shared with me a bit about the company history.

He tells me it was his love of chocolate that inspired him to leave a career in law and start his own chocolate business. There was a time in his life when he was battling against cancer. That experience, he says, helped him prioritize how he wanted to spend his life. He found working with chocolate so fulfilling that, for him, starting the chocolate business was one of the best decisions he’d ever made.

I probably could have talked to Tim for hours, but knowing that I had to meet my friend, I pressed on through the rain. Catching my attention next was Beth Vosoba.

Essence de Provence

Beth Vosoba is owner and artist at Essence de Provence. Her tent carries the artisan crafts of her masterwork with lavender. Imported from France, the lavender is made into remarkable wreaths, lotions, soaps, and fragrant housewares. Her products are simply luxurious, but most importantly they are authentic. Stepping into the tent with her was like walking through the door of a boutique. And with the smell of lavender in the air, it had the feel of the Mediterranean countryside. Vin et fromage, anyone?

Further along, I met with Cheedem Ettekin. He owns Turquoise, a small jewelry shop at 2118 18^th Street, NW, in Washington, DC. It just opened recently in the Adams Morgan area, a perfect place to find one-of-a-kind items while you’re traveling.

inFused Spreads

At the end of my tour through the market, I found inFused Spreads. This company specializes in uniquely flavored preserves. They have fruit butters, jams, marmalades, and specialty items. While they offer a lot of traditional flavors, there are also a few for those who like the taste of things out of the ordinary. The orange chipotle is a good example. It has a sweet, smoky flavor that reminded me a bit of jellied barbecue sauce. It’s not a flavor I would pair with just anything, but with a meal of beef? Definitely.

When I finally arrived to meet my friend, I shared all the details of the wonderful finds I found on my unexpected trip. This is one I’ll plan to make again soon.

Holiday Model Train Show in Washington, DC

Holiday model train display at Union Station

What is it about the Christmas holiday in America and model trains? During no other time of year will you find so many train displays and festivals. From Maine to California, you’ll find little miniature towns, railways, and doll communities stretched out atop tables and stands in malls, fire stations, churches, schools, and anyplace else people like to congregate.

In Washington, DC, there is the annual holidaytrain show set in a corridor of the main hall just steps away from the Amtrak terminal. It makes sense to have the train festival here, not only because of Amtrak, but also because of the history that trains represent in America. It is no accident that the development of the first transcontinental railroad in America coincides with the timeline of the Civil War. It’s fascinating to think about how at this time of unrest, at this time when the country risked splitting in two, we were working at a transportation system that we hoped would eventually bring people together.

Though not set quite so far back in time as the Civil War, the displays at Union Station reveal the scenes of small town America. Some feature traditional holiday Christmas settings and other reveal a glimpse into everyday small town life.

The best part of the festival has to be the sound of the train whistle. Listening to the train wheels glide across the track has a surprisingly soothing quality, and then the whistle comes by like a sweet accompanying song. 

Model train passing through mountain country

Trains moving fast round the holiday circle