Kölle Alaaf!

I was once again back in the old Cathedral city on the Rhine, Köln (Cologne). This time not to sightsee but to experience one of the biggest festivals in Germany - Karneval. Dating back to the riotous Roman celebrations of the cult of Bacchus (the god of drunkeness and ecstacy), it still lives up to tradition even today. It is facinating to see the whole city dressed in costumes, drinking, partying, music groups and dance troops in every corner, eating like gluttons and simple forgetting the worries of the world. Karneval begins on the 11th of Nov at 11.11pm but massive celebrations begin on the Thu before Ash Wednesday and climaxes on Rosenmontag on Mon. Traditional also a Catholic festival, it is a time for the people to enjoy the vices of life before the beginning of the holy Lentern season. Pagans celebrate it to signify the driving out of the evil spirits of winter and the welcome of spring.

Festivities start on Thu with the Women's carnival where all the women of the city become superior to the men, walking around with scissors and cutting the ties of the men. The men have no choice but to let them do it. Saturday and Sunday are filled with partying and small parades around the city. The main parade begins on Mon at 11.11am and extends for about 5 hours, snaking through Köln. This year there were about 90 official parade groups plus many other unofficial ones. As the floats and the bands past, the people shout "Kemelle" meaning sweets while the paraders throw boxes of chocoloates, sweets and roses to the crowd below.

I liked this strange looking Dragon-dance-like display

Hands outstretched for Kemelle! We came back with bags full!

My favourite band, the pirates with Jack Sparrow as the drum major.

me, as reggae-man, with the guys on Rosenmontag

Having the best view of the parade with the Bayern-man..

With all the Singaporeans from all over Europe (Germany, UK, France, Netherlands) infront of the Dom which never fails to impress me.

Partying straight for 3 nights... street parties, club hoping and meeting international drunks. I liked Csaba costume the best though.. "Badman".

A delicious Peruvian dinner suggested by Stefan.. Here with Csaba n Csilla who was so kind to give us her place for the weekend.