Fasching

For several weeks leading up to the Fasching (Carnival) celebrations, stores here resemble American stores during October: costumes, wigs, candies and facepaints are all on display. This holiday, though, is about being silly, not scary, so you'll have a hard time finding a vampire or witch outfit. No problem, though, finding costumes of clowns, cowboys, convicts, and Pippi Longstocking. I was struck again this year by the very large displays of realistic-looking handguns. They just seemed....out of place.

Last Thursday was the Women's Day, the day womenfolk traditionally take over and is best known as the day ladies cut off men's ties. Some even attach the pieces of ties to a belt around their waist to display their trophies. This year, following the example of many German men, David simply went to the office tieless.

Emilie dressed as Mulan for the Fasching party at her school on Friday. Don't adjust your settings. Emilie face is indeed yellow, but it was due to facepaint, not illness.

On the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, many towns and cities have crazy parades and we posted an entry last year of nearby Hofheim's parade. But the rain and chilly temperatures this year kept us warm and dry at home.

Sleeping Beauty was Rebecca's costume of choice for her Fasching Party at Kindergarten.

All the dragons, pirates and princesses played, danced and scooped up the candy the teachers would toss at them. Here the kids are twisting on little swiveling discs. No broken bones reported.