So who has Carnival?

[finknottle]

Here in Germany they're in full swing having parties in silly costumes, cutting off ties and "storming" the council offices. True to form, the Germans take being silly very seriously
All we ever do is stand and watch the parade on Sunday as the people on the floats throw sweets to the children. Luckily we know a couple who have a restaurant so they invite us to drink Gluehwein with them while the parade's on.
The dss are taking part this year and are torn between excitement and annoyance that dd will get loads of sweets.

What happens where you are?

Oh Cali, I would have made it, I really would have, I promise you but I couldn't find any g*damm gold material. Someone told me at school yesterday I should have tried a Turkish market.

It's so sweet of you to think of us with the headdress! That's America for you, I suppose, you can buy ANYTHING you need anytime. Here you can't even buy gold material at carnival time! I was a bit disappointed when we went to the Egyptian museum last week that they didn't sell pharaoh headdresses (or even let's be honest, complete outfits!). Surely they'd do a good business with them?

Oh Admylin, a Schwerverbrecher! The ideas that dc get. They just crack you up, don't they?

I know, was a bit worried when ds told me one of the new boys in class boasts about using his grandpa's Luftgewehr - just hope he doesn't think of bringing it to school one day. All boys ovviously very impressed by this lad so hope they don't get carried away.

That'll be in the countryside somewhere surely. Doubt the grandfather is in Berlin using a rifle.

Hope not anyway!

Ah yes, Carneval - hideous thing! I'm also in Germany (near Stuttgart) and I must say I've never been able to get into it, I find it loud and embarrassing.

BUT - there is a plus side, namely the "Berliner" (doughnuts) which you can buy at this time of year - and the bakery near me does chocolate ones too which are just FAB :O

Yes, we really miss the bakeries in Stuttgart area, have yet to find a decent Brezel in Berlin and the Berliner are called Pfannkuchen here! Wonder what they say to pancakes up here, maybe crepes?

ah yes pancakes and Pfannkuchen... It's so confusing, isn't it?

We had our Pfannkuchen after school yesterday. Never tried chocolate ones. We get the ones with red jam inside and icing on top. Yum yum.

Another time of year when it is not possible to lose weight!

Well our weekend of merrymaking was scuppered by the flu which has wiped me out since Valentine's Day when I started this thread. Then I infected the dss who missed their parade. We watched from the windows tho' and dd and dh caught their fill of sweets for all. Now dd's down with it.

Have to say had forgotten about those awful telly programmes; I assumed at first I just didn't understand the German

I do mock but the costumes (wow those primary-coloured jackets make your eyes pop) and music and general festive air cheered me up even from behind glass. Or maybe I was laid extra low by flu and susceptible to anything

Am determined to hobble to the kitchen to make pancakes tonight

Well here in Venice Carnival is drawing to an end. Due to good weather its been a busy one and apparently fantastic costumes and masks. My dd did not make it out in costume (11mths) as constant runny nose and temp. But there have been childrens parties , adult costume balls and the streets have been packed with merrymakers.
Fink hope you feel better I had the flu before Xmas and it knocked me out.