ERASMUS TIMES: Fastnacht

Please excuse my shitty photos; I am a very small woman.

Oh hello there. For the past week the konstantians have been celebrating Fastnacht. For those unfamiliar with the festival, it's like a week of pre-lent panic-drinking. It's the exact same principle as Karneval in Cologne or Faschings in Bavaria. It's like everybody goes to themselves, "oh balls! 40 days without sweets or alcohol. Quick let's get pissed!" Coupled with the week of binge drinking are parades and costumes, so it's got a nice family-friendly side to it.

The week starts off on Schmotzige Donnerstig ("Greasy Thursday"). There was a big parade through the city centre. There was brass bands around the place too. There was a nice auld buzz around the place, with everybody in costume. The Germans don't really do Halloween, but they go all out for Fastnacht. I saw a whole family of dragons. I saw three men in McDonald's dressed as Vince, Jules and Mia from "Pulp Fiction." My friends got accosted by a tag team of Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. The Germans don't fuck about. There's a reason they're an economic superpower.

It's not easy being green.

What made the efforts of the konstantians even more impressive was the fact it was bitterly cold. Shows commitment by the slutty teenage girls.

While the festivities continued over the following days, I didn't go to anything again until the parade on Sunday. The participants in the parade take the whole business very seriously. Every town and village has groups who meet up and make costumes with a common team. Tis all very impressive. The costumes can be pretty out there. The costumes can be pretty out there. While some are based on fairytales and legends, others are a bit more abstract. Think Mr. Susan from "The Mighty Boosh." The parade was very sweet, but plagued by the same painfully cold weather.

Fastnacht was a grand auld buzz and I'm already planning how I can make it work in Cork next year.

Tah-Dah!