Friday, February 1, 2008

Carnival Season - Hellau and Alaaaf


You gotta love coming into work and being greeted by a manager who is handing you a freshly baked, still warm jelly-filled Krapfen (click to learn more). That’s the moment you realize that it is Carnival season (click to learn more) again here in Germany. It is also called the “fifth season” and starts on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. and finishes on Ash Wednesday, though the main events go down the Thursday before Ash Wednesday up to that very day.

Thursday is “Womans day” and you can totally go around and cut off men’s ties with a pair of scissors. Last night the company had a huge launch and a few ties came off right then and there. The following days are filled with dressing funny, parades and snogging strangers at alcohol fueled parties. Quite a few marriages or relationships do not survive that season and I can confirm that a previous relationship was a victim of Carnival as well.
In the past I have had my share of kissing strangers and having some fun but I am not so stupid to ruin a relationship over it. Now that I am happily married I don’t even want to partake in the craziness anymore.

There are quite a few regional differences in how Carnival is called and celebrated. So it is called Karneval, Fastnacht or Fasching depending on where you live. The area where we live calls it Fasching and it is customary to have Krapfen then. They are jelly filled donuts and very yummy. When I was younger I would love Carnival season but I think I have kind of grown out of it.

Nevertheless it is a great time and I will make sure to watch out for some really funny fancy dresses.

10 comments:

AutoSysGene said...

OMG are those grown men dressed as the smurfs? That my dear, is hysterical! Enjoy your donut...mmm, donuts.

kat said...

Melissa Yes they are indeed dressed as the smurfs. I love all the different dresses. Very funny.

Rebecca said...

I can see why relationships don't survive when there's a day to be mean to men... that just sounds, well, mean. 8-\ Of course, I don't know much about it...

I came by to let you know Rockin' With Frigga is going on all day today - and everyone's point total started over at 0 again!

Happy Friday :-)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a version of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Too bad NYers don't celebrate Carnival!

Melisa Wells said...

Sounds like a lot of fun! Post more photos if you see anything exciting...

Nicole said...

Damn why can't we have a day like that here? I love hearing about all the different customs around the world, keep sharing. Have fun and enjoy the Krapfen!

Nicole said...

Oh my gosh after reading about Krapfen I just realized that I have had them before, my family is Serbian and they are called Krafne and they are soooo delicious. I love going to Serbian picnics just to eat the donuts :)

Shawna said...

I could use a Krapfen right about now.

I love hearing about traditions celebrated in other parts of the world.

Flea said...

Oo! Mardi Gras! We had a king cake on Sunday, courtesy of my mom, a New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition. Sounds like a good time!

Lainey-Paney said...

...yes, like Mardi Gras....
oh, the debauchery!