Who says Germans don't know how to party

Every February, just before the solemn period of Lent, the people at Cologne turn their city into one giant party with a city wide Festival. The festival, which dates back to the Middle Ages actually begins on the 11th of November and officially ends on Ash Wednesday. However the festivities peak on the last weekend before Ash Wednesday and the highlight is a giant parade that winds its way all around the city on the following Monday. The giant parade on Monday is visited by some 1.5 million visitors! The festival is a big deal in Cologne. At the beginning of the festival, a Prince and Maiden are elected (and this is a very high honor that doesn't just go to any Dick and Jane) and these two individuals are billeted at a nice hotel and expected to devote all their time to festival duties. Their crowning moment is at the giant parade where they take their places at the official city float.

During the party weekend, every “kneippe” or bar is filled to the rafters with Germans downing liters of free flowing beer and cheerfully (and drunkenly, I might add) singing songs praising their city (at odd moments, I find myself humming one of the songs). The image of the staid German is certainly dispelled here. There is a strong air of camaraderie as people share their food and welcome every visitor. And if the songs and drinking wasn’t enough to create the party atmosphere, the fact that the whole city is disguised in all manner of outfits, certainly does. Everyone is in one way or another wearing a costume with some wearing something more fancy and outlandish than the others. While we were there we saw a number of folks dressed in full on warrior regalia or as different kinds of animals (bears being a popular choice). It’s the first time, I’ve actually felt underdressed at a party. Festival time at Koln is the one time of the year when the charms of the Dom or Cathedral is overshadowed by throngs of party goers. That in itself is quite the achievement as the Cathedral dominates the city and is renowned for being the only edifice left standing after the city was bombed during the war. If you’re looking for a weekend destination in the middle of winter, Cologne at festival time is certainly one great option.

the Cathedral...

a view of the Rhine river...

Let the beer flow....they've devised a way to stack up all the glasses of beer without spilling a drop...

Like I said, everyone was in costume and proud!

The Sunday street parade that was in preparation for the big one on Monday...

Funny to see that they had their own version of Samba...

Because everyone participates, children and non drinking adults were treated to flowers, candies and chocolates during the parade....