Karneval 2011 ... Köln hat was zu beaten!

♫ Kölle Alaaf, Alaaf. Kölle Alaaf! ♫

Just one of the typical Karneval songs that I can now successfully mumble along to - or at least join in with the key line of the chorus! Along with 'Viva Colonia' another of these songs whose lyrics raised a smile is: 'Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei', meaning 'Everything has an end, only a sausage has two'!

How do you sum up Karneval in a simple blog entry? You can't.
Let's start by saying, going out dressed like this is ganz normal:

In fact, not only does nobody bat an eyelid, but once in Cologne you actually attract many more stares if you go out dressed in your normal clothes rather than in costume. And that applies to all generations. Still, setting out mid morning fully verkleidert did feel a little strange!

When Karneval hits Cologne, you know. Singing / music / marching bands can be heard almost everywhere, and catching a tram could compete with the London Underground at rush hour! Even the main station had music playing out of its speakers at midnight. It's all mad, but fun.

A bit part of Karneval is the Dreigestirn, and the many Funkenbiwaks who take part. Both of these we saw at Neumarkt as various groups paraded in and out (parting the crowd directly in front of us - result) and performed on stage leading us, the Jecken, in popular Karnevals Lieder.

The Dreigestirn: Jungfrau, Bauer & Prinz

One of the Funkenbiwak

I should also mention the drummers dressed as sailors who were performing outside the (uncharacteristically, but wisely, closed) Dom. Not only did they attract a crowd, but they had people dancing and limboing on the Cathedral forecourt.

Drummers

On Saturday night there was the Geisterzug - the alternative 'ghosts / ghouls / all things scary' procession, which originated as a form of protest parade against all things political. Anyone can join in and take part, especially if you are wearing a mask. It did, however, prove a little elusive to find, and in typical 'German efficiency is a myth' style, was late.

As for the big parade on Rosenmontag? Well after more than 4 hours of standing watching, 40 out of about 50-60 groups passing by, and many Kamelle scrambled for, we called it quits!

The parade had something over 12,100 participants, was 6.5-7km long, and apparently took around 5 hours to pass by. It's made up of marching bands, often also dressed up, many horses (we saw at least number 600!) and massive 'floats' that were often politically relevant. For example...

Musical clowns

The Blaue Funken throwing out Kamelle.
Yes we are that close to that big a float without a barrier.

Oh dear Guttenberg - in a photocopier

Kamelle are the chocolates / biscuits / sweets thrown into the crowd from the parade. People in the crowd call out "Kamelle, Kamelle" to attract the attention of those in the parade (one pensioner nearby even had a megaphone!) and apparently blowing a kiss is the way to be given a flower. However, we soon learnt that some people are very competitive when it comes to collecting as many of these Kamelle and flowers as possible, and I don't mean children. Parents and children alike come ready with hats to help catch the Kamelle in, and bags to stash all that they have collected. I only need to say 'Kinderwagen woman' and blood will start to boil! As for the woman though who was effectively exploiting her mentally handicapped son (or whatever the politically correct term is at the moment) - I have no words.

However, for Imis, I don't think we did too badly!

Apparently more than 300 tonnes of Kamelle were given out during the parade!

One down side of Kamelle being thrown down from the floats - you will take a few hits to the head! And don't think that just because it hit you it's yours. Oh no, finders keepers - first to snatch it from the air or pick it up from the floor gets to pocket it. Health and safety in the UK would have had a field day / nightmare.

What's more, I can even say that I saw somebody in the parade that I knew! One of the lads in my Klasse 6 from last term was taking part with some form of music group, who were singing out "We will rock you" loud and proud as they passed us by. Thankfully, I managed to escape with only seeing a handful of students who recognised me, despite unintentionally walking past the school as it emptied out on Thursday morning - phew.

All in all a good few days, and no-one can complain at a 5-day weekend. If only this country celebrated Shrove Tuesday ... could have been the icing on the cake!