Karnival 11.11.11 at 11:11

Rolf, the hotel GM and our guide, giving a brief history of Karnival

Brokeback husband (as named by our friend, Bob), Hayden the musketeer, and Connor the creepy strangler!

Bob and Brokeback Josh 

I had never seen so many brats on a grill before!

Karnival season opens on 11/11 every year in cities throughout Germany.  Cologne evidently is know to have the largest celebration of this so, of course, we had to go.  "Karnival season", also called "The 5th season" is the period between 11/11 and the following Ash Wednesday.  The largest day of celebration of the entire season is Rosenmontag, the Monday prior to Ash Wednesday.  The second biggest day, evidently is 11/11.  This year was special as it was 11/11/11 and the entire thing officially kicks off at 11:11 am.  This morning and season of celebration basically is a combination of Marti Gras, tailgating, halloween, and perhaps the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  Honestly, that is an awful summary.  It is a sea of happy people (almost all adults), dressed in fantastic costumes, drinking beer, eating brats, dancing and enjoying music and just hanging out.  We started our day in costume by getting on the u-baun at our local stop.  Walking the 4 blocks there, we passed several people but no others in costume.  The boys must have asked 4 or 5 times if we were sure it was the right day.  We were the first in costume among others at the stop, but within minutes two or three other costumed people showed up-tinkerbell and some crazy looking clownish woman.  The boys were relieved. At each stop, more and more costumed people got on.  Mostly adults over the age of 50 in full regalia.  It was hysterical at times.  We met with other Fedex families at the hotel that has sort of become our base.  The hotel has been the main sponsor of the event for 40 years and the general manager, who was being interviewed and featured on local television, kindly offered to take a group of us down and show us the ropes.  He gave us a quick history lesson on Karnival, the three main "characters", and the overall event.  He surprised us by opening up a box of his personal collection of float medallions, that he had collected over the years and placed one around each of our necks, while giving a quick history or description of each of the medallions. He bravely led us through the enormous crowds almost all the way to the main stage.  We eventually had to stop about a block back from the stage as the politzei had started blocking off areas of people to keep the crowds under control.  All in all, it was quite a festive time, with a great group of people and a terrific band set up just next to us.  Thanks to Rolf for guiding us through and keeping us on track!