The eleventh of eleventh

Soon the 'fifth season' will start in Germany. In many towns - the most popular are Dusseldorf and Cologne I bet - the commencement is about to begin at 11.11, the eleventh of November. This time is called 'Fastnachtsbeginn' and will initiate the carnival festivities troughout Germany. From this point carnival parades start and continue until the actual festive days in February next year. There is a short winter break around Christmas but after that parades and parties will take place again. The biggest parties are on 'Weiberfastnacht' (07. 02) and 'Rosenmontag' (11.02).

To be honest: I'm not that much of a carnival nerd and don't know anything about the historical backgrounds and very little about some customs. In my hometown parades are almost not celebrated at all and the festive events become less and lesser every year. The only constant are the 'Kamelle' - candy so to say - that are distributed among the festival goers. I bet they use the remaining candy every year... because that is how they taste like: old and rock-hard. Sadly there is not the slightest atmosphere and spirit of carnival.
Until now I was in Cologne once or twice with a friend to celebrate carninal and it was an entirely different world. The people but so much effort into their costumes - really! There are almost no people in improvised costumes or clothing. The entire outfit was carefully planned in detail. They even bring more than just one costume for the parties. It's the same like in the real life: you can't wear the same outfit over and over again when going out. You simply have to bring something new with you. Trust me: when you wear your normal clothes among costumed party people you feel like an outcast. You feel like you don't belong there. You feel dull and grey. So at least put on striking make up to stand out a little and become one with the party group.
Surrounded by all those great costumes you instantly catch fire and become infected by the carnival celebration virus. It is a great feeling standing in the midst of a group of Ghostbusters while being invited to a drink by Jack Sparrow. If you have the opportunity you should celebrate carnival in one of Germany's strongholds: it's definitely worth a trip.

carnival in Cologne - source of image: deutsch-heute.blogspot.de