Karneval in Köln

So Karneval is finally over and I seem to have been in shock through most of it. Köln was ridiculous! I went for the first day of Karneval which is a giant street parade. I may have started out feeling silly walking the streets in a penguin costume but not for long. It was pretty cool to have so many people out having fun and in crazy costumes too! Not just students but kids, families, grandparents and parents. But, naturally, also a lot of alcohol! I met up with Zsofi and some of her students from the polytech and we wandered the streets for most of the day. In all the squares all over the city there were parties with thousands of people, live bands, and, you guessed it, lots of alcohol! I was glad to see it but probably wouldn't want to do it again.

Looking out over the crowd

On Sunday I checked out the parade in one of our neighbouring villages. Think Christmas parade but without the Santa at the end and everyone in the parade drinking. Saw some of my students from school who found it rather embarrassing to see the teacher with her camera there! On Monday I went into Köln again for the Rosenmontag parade. The place to be on this particular day of Karneval. Over 1.4 million people watching, over 500 horses and 5 HOURS long!!!! The main goal? To collect as much candy as possible (young and old alike). I have so much chocolate, biscuits and lollies sitting in my room right now it will probably last until next year.

No school on Tuesday as it was also technically still Karneval but I went rock-climbing instead. Pretty fun 6 days really. But this is when Germans really let their hair down and go crazy (in this part of Germany anyway).

with some of the other language assistants

Steffen, Tiago and Vera

Plenty of music bands in crazy costume!

Loved this outfit

Check out our haul!