Fasching

On Tuesday the boys didn't have school so we took full advantage of it. They didn't have school because it was Fasching: Germans celebrate "crazy season". So Monday after school we went to a movie at the local theater in Landstuhl to watch Rise of the Guardians!! It was a great movie!! The boys also loved the theater!!! They saw this cut out for a new movie and just had to get their picture    taken. Fastnacht, Fasching, Karneval — in different areas of Germany, the so-called “fifth season” has different names. But its purpose is the same: people put on costumes and celebrate the crazy season. There are parties, dance balls, costume fests, funny speeches and parades. In the Pfalz it’s called “Fassenacht” or “Fastnacht,” in Bavaria it’s “Fasching” and in Cologne it’s “Karneval.” Fasching officially starts at 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, which is Nov. 11, and ends on Ash Wednesday which this year is Feb. 13. Up to this day, many Fasching events are scheduled. Very popular are masquerade balls and Fasching dances. Visitors are asked to dress up in costumes, change their outward appearance and play a different role than in normal day life. If they are not in disguise, they have to pay a higher admission fee. Fastnacht has its origin in ancient times when people realized that with the start of a new year spring would soon be on its way. To make it possible for spring to arrive, the demons of winter had to be chased away. Therefore people dressed in evil-looking costumes and masks. They danced in the streets looking like devils, demons and witches and used noise-making devices, bells and drums to scare away winter ghosts. Through the centuries the season developed into a Christian ritual. The literal translation of the word “Fastnacht” means night of fasting. Today it’s the time of merriment and laughter preceding Lent, the 40-day period before Easter. The word Karneval also refers to the fasting period. The Latin expression “carne vale” means “farewell, meat” and described the time of celebrations before Lent, when people had to renounce meat, opulent meals and festivities. The boys waiting for the parade to start - we got there a little early and it was cold! I looked at my phone and it said 0 degrees. I was hoping it was C, but nope it
 was F - so it was -18 C. All the people getting ready for the parade They were selling giant pretzels, so of course we had to buy some and they were really yummy!!! This is the cart they were selling them on :-) The start of the parade - luckily it started on time. Last year I guess it was two hours late :-) The Air Force band was marching in the parade along with quite a few other American groups. The boys really like this one! The crazy girls!! I thought it was just funny Sparky and the US Air Force fire engine also came out! He was a ham! These guys had a float that said black is beautiful with music playing, they came and dance with some people in the crowd. Michael got into it, but AJ didn't. Then after that another guy came over from the same group and pointed at something to AJ and AJ looked and then his face got black paint on it - It was hilarious!!! It was such a great day!! After that was cub scouts so it was a busy, busy day for us!!