Karneval

Well, Karneval has kicked off in Duesseldorf. Duesseldorf is one of the three big Karneval Cities in Germany along with Cologne and Mainz.

Karneval is like Mardi Gras--a time of partying before the seriousness of Lent sets in. Heaps of street-parties and pub-parties, with people disguising themselves in all sorts of ways. But it culminates not on Fat Tuesday--like in New Orleans, but on Rosenmontag (Monday). Buissnesses are closed and everyone gets in on the act. The tellers at the bank today were in costume. It's really funny to see all the serious Germans decked out in these outrageous costumes.

Today is Weiberfastnacht (women’s carnival night) and it is tradition that women are allowed to cut off the tie of any man within reach, and to kiss any man they want to. In Duesseldorf, women gather outside the Rathouse (city hall) and protest that they are not going to cook and clean anymore and demand a voice. The mayor of the town comes out and gives a speech telling all the women to go home, and then the women storm the Rathouse, begin cutting off the men's ties and drink free beer. I was supposed to go, but am recovering from a virus/ear infection. So maybe next year.

Maddie keeps wanting to do something for Karneval, but luckily we leave on vacation tomorrow. I don't think downtown Duesseldorf is going to be a good place for a five-year-old until after Rosenmontag.