nichtszusagen: TT #87

Thursday, February 14, 2008

TT #87

Thirteen Photos of the
Fasching Parade in Michelstadt, part 1

with footnotes!

As I promised on the weekend update, here are some of the dozens of pictures we took at the Fasching parade in Michelstadt. If you missed it, there are a couple more pictures in that post, too.

As always, click on the pictures to see the larger version.

lots of groups of girls dressed like this, but these were the only ones we saw dancing

a club of witches. also, a decent picture of Manfred

more of the witches--they had great costumes. you'll probably have to click on the picture to see it clearly, but hanging between them are the remains of all the ties they cut.*

one of the many marching groups--they're not bands, they just dress up, march, and occasionally yell "Helau!"**

there were quite a few kings & queens on cars--reminiscent of US towns' homecoming parades. these were unusual in this parade because they were kids

we had to take a picture of this huge Dodge Ram truck pulling the party float.*** You almost never see them here. ****

this is a very typical float from a local bar. the guys on it just ride along, drinking beer and occasionally shouting "Helau!" and throwing candy.

these are the more "dignified" floats--business and government figures, I gather. They're dressed fancier, but they're still shouting "Helau!" and throwing candy.

more nicely costumed marching girls--you'll have to click on this one to see it more clearly. the younger girls in front, the older ones in back

10.

quite a few of the parade entries had to do with the recent ban on smoking in restaurants,***** both pro and con. The sign warns that the ban will kill small pubs.

11.

there were quite a few men dressed as women. these are riding on a float made to look like a prostitute's camper. on the side, it says "Love you can buy."

12.

more chickens.****** This was the second group we saw. It appears there's a humorous attempt to be educational. Or vice versa.

13.

another float of civic and business leaders--presumably from a smaller town.

* Look under "Rhineland" in Wikipedia's Carnival entry for an explanation--though this was in Hessen, not Rhineland, so it's a little more widespread.

** "Helau!" sounds very like "hello!" It's not "hallo" which is German for "hello" and which I don't hear very often. As far as I can tell, it's the "fools' call". Here's the translated German Wikipedia page explaining it.

*** This picture from the Weekend Update.

**** They have started selling US imports more in Germany--something you really didn't see 20 years ago. Here are a Chrysler-Jeep dealership and a dealer with a list of American cars you can buy in Germany. (in German, but the car names are the same) Click on the make, and they'll give you a list of the models they have for sale. Remember the prices are in Euro, which is currently worth *wincing* $1.46. So add roughly half to the prices to get them in dollars. Not surprising that you don't see that many.

***** News article about the smoking ban (note: the "states" in the article's title refer to German states)

****** the first group was in this photo on the Weekend Update.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Categories: ThursdayThirteen

Labels: TT

// posted by Darla @ 2/14/2008 09:46:00 AM

Comments:

I....love a parade! I especially love parades that take themselves quite seriously. Happy V-day.

# posted by

Di : 2/14/2008 12:58 PM

I'm not sure how seriously they take it--a lot of the parade participants are just walking along or riding and drinking beer. :)

# posted by

Darla : 2/14/2008 1:20 PM

Enjoyed the pics, Darla. And I love all your TTs buttons!

Happy Valentine's Day!

# posted by

Melody : 2/14/2008 2:00 PM

Thanks, Melody! I always have a lot of fun making the header.

# posted by

Darla : 2/14/2008 2:09 PM

Don't you love a parade?!? This looks like it was quite a bit of fun, although that bright blue sky said frigid to me...glad to hear it wasn't so bad.

Oh man, the euro makes traveling in Europe difficult. It's hard not to do a rough exchange rate and think, crap, I'm not paying $3 for a can of Coke!

Get your backside down to Milan! Oh, and if you want to see the Last Supper, you need to book it well in advance [they're almost booked through June now] or take a tour of the city. I'm not keen on organized tours, but it might be the only way you'll get in :-)

# posted by

Tilly Greene : 2/14/2008 3:04 PM

LOVE #7! That's the float I'd be riding on ;-)

# posted by

Janet : 2/14/2008 3:45 PM

Tilly, it was in the high 30s--cold, but not frigid.

Thanks for the advice on Milan.

Janet, there were a lot of floats like that: just a bunch of people hanging out drinking beer. Or walking along drinking beer. Or dancing and drinking beer. Or... well, you get the idea. :)

# posted by

Darla : 2/14/2008 3:55 PM

beautiful pictures. :) thanks for stopping by! happy tt!

# posted by

Dreamer : 2/14/2008 4:25 PM

What fun! I remember hearing about Fasching when I lived in Germany but don't remember experiencing it. (I was ten when we left). Looks like a lot of fun!

~Harris.

# posted by

Harris Channing : 2/14/2008 4:28 PM

That looks like a great way to spend the day! Nice weather and all! :-D

# posted by

Anonymous : 2/14/2008 4:33 PM

Thanks, Morgan!

Harris, it's a shame you didn't get to experience it, because it's definitely kid-friendly. Costumes and getting candy thrown at you... it's kind of like Halloween. :)

Lynne, it was nice. Just the right weather, and just the right size parade and crowd--enough to be lively, but not so much that it was overwhelming.

# posted by

Darla : 2/14/2008 4:41 PM

Cool. The last parade we went to, one of the points of it was to make a costume that fit the theme. It was spectacular. But not quite as much fun as this, I don't think.

# posted by

Susan Helene Gottfried : 2/14/2008 5:26 PM

Neat!! I just spent some time out of the country and thought I would just be staying home today. Happy day to you and thx for the visit :)

# posted by

Unknown : 2/14/2008 6:25 PM

Nice TT. I love parades too. We try and go to the St. Patrick's one every year.

I'll know have to do some research on Fasching, but that's something I love to do.

# posted by

Renee : 2/14/2008 6:26 PM

Great pictures.
Happy V-Day

# posted by

LA Day : 2/14/2008 6:55 PM

How cool! Thank you so much for sharing them.
I love seeing things other countries take for granted. I didn't know anything about this. Thanks for the info!

# posted by

Jennifer McKenzie : 2/14/2008 7:04 PM

That looks like a fun parade. If I had to be in a parade I'd want to be in the beer float...
http://happywonderer.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/thursday-thirteen-21-the-beatles-usa-debut-1964/

# posted by

ellen b. : 2/14/2008 7:12 PM

Interesting insight into a completely different culture.

# posted by

Carina : 2/14/2008 7:15 PM

I haven't attended a live parade in years. This looks like it was a lot of fun.

Thanks for visiting my 67th edition 13 Romantic Tips (from a single man's perspective)

# posted by

Dane Bramage : 2/14/2008 7:24 PM

It looks like a fun place to visit! Happy Valentine's Day!

# posted by

Mia Celeste : 2/14/2008 8:20 PM

What fun. I love parades but sadly Israel doesn't really do them.

# posted by

Robin : 2/14/2008 8:29 PM

How completely fascinating, Darla! Thanks for posting these. Seems this time of year is ripe for carnivale all over the world, for varied reasons - except it seems the real reason is to have an outlet for going a little bonkers for a bit.

# posted by

Julia Phillips Smith : 2/14/2008 9:30 PM

This comment has been removed by the author.

# posted by

Heather : 2/14/2008 9:51 PM

Sounds like it was a fun event. Great pics as always, Darla!

# posted by

Heather : 2/14/2008 9:52 PM

Love the parade pictures Darla! How long did you said the parade lasted that day?

If you've ever been to Mardi Gras Parade, you will see it whole lot of different games all together LOL! Wild but fun. Although I haven't been in parade in long times now :)

By the way Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you and Carl have great day together :)

# posted by

Julia : 2/14/2008 10:19 PM

The witches are great! i wonder if they are real witches, or just pretending.
Thanks for visiting my poem TT!

# posted by

Tink : 2/14/2008 10:51 PM

I haven't been to a parade in decades. But can I say I LOVED #11! *Grin*. It looked like so much fun!

Happy V'Day/TT

~X

# posted by

Anonymous : 2/15/2008 12:10 AM

What fun! Thank you for sharing with us.

# posted by

Moondancer : 2/15/2008 1:57 AM

Hmmm... interesting, great pictures.

# posted by

Lifeless in Ohio : 2/15/2008 2:08 AM

Hey Darla! You're tagged. ;)

# posted by

Melody : 2/15/2008 2:10 AM

Oh, fun, a Dodge Ram in Germany! Happy TT!

# posted by

Anonymous : 2/15/2008 4:24 AM

Looks like fun!

# posted by

Chelle Y. : 2/15/2008 7:03 AM

What great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I want to ride on the bar float: drinking and throwing candy.

# posted by

Anonymous : 2/15/2008 6:30 PM

nichtszusagen

Thursday, February 14, 2008

TT #87

About Me

reviews

fall reading challenge

tbr challenge

books

categories

index

ARCHIVES

other blogs