Back in the States, Fat Tuesday marks the beginning of Mardi Gras, which is the start of a week long celebration (with boobs, beads and beers) similar to Carnival. Here in Germany, that day is a day of mourning. No more parades, parties, marching bands, costumes or firecrackers...
And how, you might ask, does one end such an amazing week? By burning a witch and shooting fireworks practically into the crowd (I had to brush ash off of Scott on our way home), of course. We were informed, after commenting on the unsafe placement of the fireworks, that in the previous years they had stuffed the witch full of fireworks so that towards the end of the burning, they were actually shooting off into the crowd. I’m kind of sad to have missed that, but I guess it makes sense that it was omitted from this year’s program. Don’t want to end Fastnach with injury and real tears.
Fastnach was such an awesome experience and I’m glad that Scott and I got to be a part of the celebration. We were told on more than one occasion that this was the best time of the year to come to Germany (followed by Oktoberfest of course), and I absolutely agree.
On the left is the firework people setting up next to the church.
The witch being carried to her death.
Those fireworks were directly over our heads!
