Today, Malou drove Kat, Ariana, and I to the tiny village of Oberwinden (nestled in the Black Forest) for a Carnival celebration. However, when we arrived, the town was completely deserted. Not a soul in sight. We finally asked a local about the parades, and he told us that Oberwinden had finished its Carnival celebration yesterday, but that there was a celebration in Kenzingen this afternoon! So we turned around and headed towards Kenzingen--but not before snapping a few pictures of the beautiful Oberwinden as we drove away! (Cultural side note: see the typical Black Forest houses with the huge roofs? Usually the snow is pretty heavy in this region, so the large roofs help protect the houses).
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| That tiny village down in the valley is Oberwinden |
After a slightly stressful drive to Kenzingen (I had the map and was given the task of directing Malou through unpronounceable German towns) we arrived to find the parade in full swing! The four of us joined the crowd. Brass bands marched through, followed by a mass of witches with broomsticks and bell-adorned jesters with smiling wooden masks. Then came the hoard of red-costumed characters wielding sticks with what looked like flesh-colored balloons tied to the ends--these guys hit everyone in the crowd with the balloons, which Malou told us were actually blown-up cow stomachs or bladders! I was hit six or seven times by the stomach-balloons--hopefully it's good luck?!
I had had no idea of what to expect at a Carnival celebration, so I was a little surprised to find that everyone was dressed in crazy costumes... even those who weren't part of the parade! There were flag banners strung across the streets, and the air was filled with the jingle of bells, the brass band's music, and the cries of the crowd (although I have no idea what they were saying). Everyone was so excited and happy (and slightly tipsy)--the attitude was infectious.
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| These two boys were absolutely adorable. And they hit me with their stomach- balloons twice each. |
After the last of the parade walked by, the four of us joined all the spectators in walking behind the last brass band members. Then, all order dissolved and people were crowding the food stalls along the sides of the road, doing what Germans do best: drinking. Malou, Kat, Ariana, and I grabbed sausages and hot wine from one of the stalls and ate while watching all the costumed people dancing and drinking in the streets. (I, meanwhile, went into full-tourist mode and tried to sneakily take pictures of all of the elaborate costumes and masks that people were wearing.)
The bands kept playing, providing background music, and all in all, it was quite a jolly affair. I know that Kenzingen's Carnival probably pales in comparison to the larger and more well-known parades in Venice and in Cologne (I mean, Kenzingen is just a tiny town in Germany), but to me, it was perfect. The whole atmosphere was so jovial and everyone was so friendly and it was finally sunny... it was the perfect Carnival, and furthermore, the perfect Sunday afternoon! I'll end with my absolute favorite photo from the day.
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