What is Fasching? (carnival)

What is Fasching?
http://www.deutscheshaus.cc/html/newsletters/fasching_germany.html
I'm sure you've heard of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It's been celebrated for
centuries and is known world-wide. However, many people still do not understand what
Fasching is in Germany.
Fasching is Germany's carnival season. It starts on the 11th day of November at
exactly 11minutes after 11am and ends at the stroke of midnight on Shroud
Tuesday - often referred to as Fat Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).
Fasching is more or less a Roman Catholic and Christian Orthodox celebration and most
Protestant and non-Christian areas do not celebrate it.
Fasching (also known as Karneval) is a time of festivity and merry making - a time to
break the rules, poke fun at those who make them and then to make your own new
rules.
In Germany, particularly in the Rhineland area, the tradition can be traced to medieval
times where many countries existed under harsh rules. Kings, princes and even smaller
potentates maintained their own courts. In doing so, they flaunted before each other their
own pomp and splendor at the expense of their population.
During Karneval time, the common people took a chance at 'living it up" and "talking
back to their rulers". They would make a mock government of eleven people, as well as
other officials. A prince and princess were selected to rule the country during the
Fasching season. Political authorities, high placed persons and sovereigns were the
target of ridicule, and featured in humorous and satirical speeches. To avoid persecution
and punishment, these antics were played out from behind masks and costumes.
Parades, dancing in the streets, masquerade balls and comical skits filled the days and
nights.
Karneval festivities have become annual events around the world. Also known as
Fasching, Carnival and Mardi Gras, the most famous are located in the following places:
Köln (Cologne), Germany
Nice, France
Trinidad
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
New Orleans, Louisiana
Although Carnival in Rio is probably the craziest of all, Germany is undoubtedly the
most enthusiastic Karneval center in Europe.
Nearly every town has its own festivities and it is celebrated in homes across the country
with the same enthusiasm in which we celebrate Halloween. The Karnevals vary from
area to area, but no matter where the celebrations are held, there is fun, happiness,
laughter and a certain nostalgia.

Our weekend in Köln (Cologne)

So Robin suprised me with a trip to Köln for 5 days. The first day we drove up to a little town called Hilden, where Robins work headquarters is. He had training Friday and Saturday. Normally Im not allowed to go with him, but after his training we were headed to Köln. On the way up we found a KFC!!!! Of course we stopped so that I could have some! It was SO good!


While Robin was in his class, he scheduled me for a 1.5hr massage! (for only 30€) It was so nice! (also another thing different from the states... they arent so shy about moving the sheet... haha) Anywho...Saturday we left for Köln, and Robin made me close my eyes when we got close to our hotel so I didnt find out where we were staying...and he got us a room in the Hyatt right on the river! It was beautiful!



Saturday night we wanted to go find a Karaoke Bar, so we set off into the city and found one. It was fun, I sang two songs....back to back... NOBODY else put a song in till 10-20min after I sang my second one... I figured since it was packed that I would give him both and then he would rotate me in... nope. After my first song I went to hand him back the mic and he said...no your other song... So I sang the other one.



Then it was cold and kinda late, (we are old people now) so we decided to head back to the hotel. So we go to the train station, and just as we are getting there here comes the train. So NO time to buy a ticket and we werent sure if another one was comming or when. So we got on without a ticket. (which I was against and is a 40€ fine per person) We sit down as Robin is talking out a stratagy if we get asked for our tickets... nothing to good either... he told me to start crying and say that Im not from here and what not... low and behold the controllier was standing right infront of us, comes around and asks us for our tickets...haha So Robin tried talking in english without a german accent, and the guy wasnt buying it, so I chimmed in and said that I am sorry, I have never been here before and I wasnt even sure if we were on the right train. And Robin asked if we could buy a ticket from him, and he said no, I dont sell tickets. But luckily for us there was a ticket kiosk on the train! So we went over and purchased two tickets for 5€ instead of an 80€ fine!We had a great laugh about that and still do..



Sunday morning brunch was amazing! SO much to choose from! And such delicious food! Then after breakfast we went for a walk with Lilly to wear her out so we could go do the tour of the Köln Dom. Which was really neat, and exhausting! To climb up the tower, it was about 30min and 509 stairs in a small spiral. With only one way up and one way down...









It was freezing and very windy so we went into one of the gift shops and I bought a Köln beanie to help keep me warm.



We were also trying to find a lock to put onto the famous Hohenzollernbrücke with all the rest.



So we went into almost every gift shop and they didnt really have anything. Which you would think they would carry locks since that is what a LOT of people do when they are in Köln... anywho. We had a great time!



We found this Chicago Steak House while walking around that we decided to try for dinner...and it was HORRIBLE! Both of our steaks came out almost raw. I almost threw up. And the service here in Germany is HORRIBLE as well... they dont really ever check up on you. Im still not used to it.



Monday Robin had an interview so I packed up everything while he was gone and then when he got home we went and got a lock, had it engraved and headed back to the bridge. We took Lilly with us of course, cause I needed to take a "family picture".


Brought my tri-pod and everything... haha We went and put our lock on the bridge. Then we headed home.







Lilly was so patient that I had to take a pic of her on the bridge too...



I really enjoyed spending that time with my husband!!! We usually only get Friday nights to Monday mornings together, and then he is gone the rest of the week somewhere in Germany. That time together really brought us closer together! I cant believe that we are comming up on our one year anniversary. It seems like I have been with hime my whole life. We are so good together. I'm sure some of you reading this part probably think that I am just saying that. But I'm not! For those of you who know me, know that I couldn't be happier! He is my soul-mate! I never believed in that till it happened to me! I truly love Robin with my whole heart and soul! I love the fact that I still get butterflies in my stomach when we kiss, or when I look into his eyes! We have fun together, we get eachother...it is an amazing feeling! Even when I am upset at him for somthing, I cant stay mad, especially when I look into his eyes. IT SUCKS! haha ;-) Anywho, I just wanted to get out there how much I love my husband and how happy he makes me!

February

Not a whole lot has happened this month. The weather has been warm and cold....which has been VERY annoying!! Most of the month has been trying to train Lilly, and I have had school, and Robin work...

Though,Robin just suprised me! This weekend, he is taking Lilly and I to Köln for the weekend. I am SO excited! He has training Friday and Saturday, then Sunday and Monday We get to spend the WHOLE time together!!! Pictures to come soon...

Our new addition to the family

This is Lilly. She is our new addition to the family. Robin got her for me last week, to help keep me company while he is gone during the week. He got her after we had gotten his mom a puppy for her birthday. He saw how much I fell in love with her. So my sweet hubby got me one of my own. She is a mix of a Beagle and a Shi-tzu. She was born November 26th. I am very happy to have her! I am sad though that I have to leave her home alone while I am at school in the morning. She did a great job today though! Here are a few other pix of her and Sunny. (the dog for Robins mom)

Robins Eye Surgery

So Robin has been looking into getting this done for a while now. He hates his glasses, and because of the shape of his eyes (and thickness, I think) he cant wear contacts for a long period of time. So he got aproved by his eye doctor, and the insurance. So he didnt waste anytime. He was pretty good at hiding his anxiety till the night before and morning of. But he made it through and is doing great! He has had a few check ups and they said that everything is looking great!

This was right before he went into the surgery room

This was right after...

he braved walking "blind" with me to get some lunch.

and Robin being Robin at lunch

this was the guy that stayed over night just for us. Robin was pretty excited because it was a "young dude" who brought his PS3. So they played games all night

My 27th Birthday

It was kind of cool to have my birthday in the land I was born in. It was sweet. Tuesday (11th), I got a wake up call from my hubby singing Happy Birthday to me. I also got sung to at school, and two of my classmates got me a little present. I was not expecting that. Then later that evening my friend Beate came over to give me a little something and visit since she wouldnt be able to make it Saturday. She brought me a little friend to keep me company... a cute, fat hampster. We call him little Robin... since he is always holding food.

Saturday, we had our friends come over and have a little party. We had Sweet and Sour Chicken (which I made!), played some games, and had some cake. It was a lot of fun! From left to right: Uli, Bettina, Robin and Roland

hahah this was one of the games from "Schlag den Raab". You had to put an "egg" shaped rock between your knees and run around the table, and I was kickin his butt so he took my chair but I still won! haha

this game we had to cadapult a little flag into the box with numbers... and this was my final shot, and Roland was crossing his fingers that I wouldnt get a point. and I did, and us girls WON! lol

New Years

We didnt really want to do anything big for New Years, so we just stayed in, cooked some good food, watched a movie, and then at midnight we lit of some firecrackers.