One Party at a Time

Karneval

The only rule of Karneval is to dress up

The biggest party in the world. I cannot emphasis this enough. I also am playing some angst-y high school techno music while writing this blog - just to  get myself pumped to try and emphasis what I mean by Karneval being a party.

The Pre-Karneval Warm-Up Party with Kristen!

The celebration before Ash Wednesday, is Germany's Karneval to our Mardis Gras, but Karneval takes it a step farther. Rather than one night, Karneval is an experience running from Thursday morning until the night of Fat Tuesday.

The only thing that a sailor, a monk, a spaceman and
Masquerade have in common is a good time.

Parades on Thursday, Friday, Monday
and Tuesday, with partying all day long, the only rule of Karneval is to dress up. There's a theme everywhere, but most people forget what was decided upon last year. The bigger, the brighter, the flashier the better. Whether you stick a watering can on your head or come dressed as the Queen of France, the only thing that matters is if you're smiling. Throughout the streets whether listening to music or watching the parade, you'll hear the word "Alaaf" being cried. It stems from 'Alle af' or 'All away', partying and feasting the last few days before the Lenten season.


Meanwhile on Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Rosenmontag, the Women's Karneval takes place. Even at 8 am in the morning, live bands are performing in the streets, and parades start running through one of the older districts of Bonn. In Bonn, the parade runs through the old washing district, where the washing women used to live and work. But whether in Bonn or Cologne, the party really starts at 11:11 am, when the women 'take over the town.' They take part and prove their power over men on the day of 'Women's Karneval' by cutting of every man's tie. Whether their husband, boyfriend, or straggler on the street, many ties are cut.
They don't care if it's Armani or thrift shop tie material, it's getting cut off; for the price of a kiss on the cheek.

The very day I get my very own
 piano key necktie... it gets cut off.
And no, I don't know her name.

Besides Rio de Janiero, Köln (or Cologne) is the largest center of Karneval. But even here in Bonn, parades and other parties were held the days warming up to Rosenmontag - the one biggest day, similar to Mardis Gras. A parade with candy (Kamelle), flowers (Strutzje) and costumed people runs all day starting at 11 am.

All in all, it was a good time of giving, sharing and taking - as any good Karneval or Mardis Gras party should be. I guess Germans do know how to have a good time! When the weight I've gained is gone again and the warmth has replaced the cold bitterness of my hands and nose, the memories from German Karneval are what'll be left behind.
Cheesy, but true.

Everyone's smiling, look ridiculous in costumes, freezing in the cold weather and singing German. But it was a time of giving candy, kisses (and even liquor), sharing friendship and laughs, while taking in the happiness around you.