Fasching 2012 {Part 2}

AHA!  So Germans call Fasching the "Fifth Season," although the traditional Fasching week lasts only six days.  According to Swabian dialect, the word Fasching, or Fasnacht, is derived from the word fasting.  Fasching marks the week before Ash Wednesday and kicks of the Narrische Zeit or "foolish season" where Germans pretty much just cut loose before entering the 40-day lent season.

So this is how Fasching week is broken down:

It starts on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Thursday is referred to as Schmotziger Donnerstag, or Greasy Thursday.  Schmotzig is lard or grease and refers to all the yummy foods people indulge in during this period of celebration.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are characterized by parades and street parties in the many cities and towns. 

Monday is also called Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday.  Rose Monday, along with Fat Tuesday, are also marked by parades and street parties.  On the evening of Fat Tuesday the Fasnacht, represented by a witch (in Southern Germany) is buried in a casket and the "wild" days end at midnight.

As I said yesterday, it was such a lively and fun time witnessing the parade in the town of Weil der Stadt, which is just a half hour away from Patch Barracks.  All kinds of costumed people would come and taunt us (by poking at us or ruffling our hair).  Most of them gave us candies or threw them at us from elaborate floats.  One group of ladies handed out apple streudel.  Yummy!  There must have been about 60 groups in the parade line up.  Most of them were bands from other towns.  I'm talking about marching bands with people of all ages playing throughout.  We absolutely loved the music!

Anyway, let me let the pictures do the rest of the talking!

We had to pick up badges on the way in.  Sina was all packed up in her Kelty kid carrier.  Let me tell you...that Kelty is awesome!

This is at the entry to the town.  Pretty, huh?

Wish we'd gone all the way into the town, but the crowds got bigger further in. 

 

I can't remember which movie I'd seen these costumes in.  Anyone know?

The strudel lady.  More please!

I know those girls were cold.  It was pretty chilly that day!

Most of the masks were made out of carved wood.  They're amazing!

One "witch" trying to hand Madisen some candy.

Group Photo!

Hey, I had to get in one too!

I have yet to go to a Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but at least I can say that I've done Fasching in Germany.  I'd love to do Carnivale in Venice!  Maybe next year!

Yes, We're Alive! & Fasching 2012 {Part 1}

Gosh, I hope our families and friends haven't stopped tuning in completely.  I know I've been slacking, but please bear with me.  Whoa!  What a busy couple of days!  Even this weekend just coasted on by and now we're about to start another week.  I am absolutely dreading it since Malu will be taking off for some training with his reserve unit.  He'll be gone for a good chunk of time.  I wish I could say that it'll be better when he returns, but it's quite the opposite actually.  He'll be in and out until late summer when his unit mobilizes for the big "D".  As in deployment.  His fifth.  Our third as a married couple.  Our first with Vaiosina.  I shudder when I think about it.

So let's change the subject because I'm afraid that, at this point, I'm still in denial about it.  A huge part of me is hoping that this deployment will disappear.

Last week, we celebrated Fasching, which I refer to as Mardi Gras--German style!  Our partner family, the Finches, drove into Stuttgart since it was a long weekend (President's Day Weekend, to be exact) and they were able to experience Fasching with us!

I haven't had a chance to go through all of the photos from last weekend, but I'll leave you with this sneak peek and I'll post the rest tomorrow.  Promise!  Okay, so this picture has been on my Facebook profile for the past week now.

But hey, it's still a cool photo.

So basically in February, many towns and cities throughout Germany have a week long celebration for Fasching, starting on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.  Usually, there is a celebration marked by public street parties and parades where people are dressed in a variety of costumes, from clowns to witches and demons.  These characters, throughout the parade, throw out candies and other goods to onlookers and sometimes taunt, poke and jab at you too.  No beads though...at least not in this town (we went to Weil der Stadt).  Another thing...throughout the parade, people kept yelling AHA!!! Not sure what that is about, but it was all quite interesting and so much fun.  And...I believe Malu had the loudest "Aha!" in the entire crowd!

Another reason we're so happy to be a part of the European experience!

Anyway, I'll leave the rest of the pictures for tomorrow.

Okay...here's one more!

 AHA!!!

Have a great week!