Karneval season begins

Sonntag, 12.11.06

Yesterday, on the 11^th November at 11:11am was the celebration to the start of Karneval Season, the 5th season of the year. I struggled to wake up in time to make it to the Old Town to witness the beginning of the season. It was quite funny to see all these people dressed up in a variety of costumes waiting at the bus stop! As I walked towards the Old Town, I saw a parade of drummers as well as a brass band playing some traditional German songs with the passing crowd singing and dancing. I just don’t understand how people could start drinking at this time! After fighting my way out of the crowd, I headed back home to do some food shopping and work before I participate in the drinking. I don’t think I would have coped drinking the whole day.

I joined Eeva and Holly to cook dinner at Joanne’s before we ‘dressed up’ in random outfits we had; I was wearing a scrubs top with a witches hat whilst Joanne had the trousers with an afro wig and hat. Eeva and Holly shared a Santa outfit with a punk like wig. Out on the streets, people were just singing, dancing and of course drinking. There was so much broken glass around although there were people pushing trolleys filled with empty bottles to earn the 8 cents a bottle. Apparently it is a tradition to throw your bottle at the ground once you’ve finished but it was pretty dangerous and it was almost like walking on a carpet of broken glass. We soon joined the others at a bar and had a good laugh trying on all the different wigs and hats. It continued to another bar/club and then another before I decided to call it a night. I will need to improve my stamina if I am to survive the festivities for the end of Karneval at the end of February. It will be 4/5 days of constant celebrations just like yesterday.