Rosenmontag

Categories: seasons, germany

Date: 04 February 2008 23:03:28

Today, in certain parts of Germany - mainly the industrial Rhineland, but other places too - it is Rosenmontag, part of Karneval. When I was au-pairing in Germany when I was 18/19, the family with whom I was living went to a Karneval party. Everyone dressed in fancy dress. I only have one photo of the event which shows me dressed as Robin Hood, Christel as a cat and her sister Monika as a sailor. I have no recollection of making the costumes - or even assembling them from bits and bobs - but I know we didn't hire them. All I can remember of the party was some “friendship” ritual which involved linking arms with your neighbours and drinking at the same time. The other game involved snogging members of the opposite sex - I think it took place after the friendship ritual - once you were a bit tipsy and had made each others' acquaintance!