Mainz Fastnacht

It's been a busy 2 months whenever the new year rolled in as we were constantly having get together, going out for salsa nights or doing small trips with our friends who will be leaving in a few months to head to their next assignment. This is life in the military, it's always hard to say goodbye to the friends you were with for years only to go separate ways when new assignment comes up. 

Anyway, one of the trips we went to 2 weeks ago was Rosenmontag Carnivale Parade in Mainz Germany. They call it fastnacht or "fast night" referring to the night before fasting begins on Ash wednesday. It is a very colorful celebration where everyone is dressed up and children have their bags ready for candies being thrown from every float. The parade starts at 11:11 am and lasts for 5 hours as everybody shouts "Helau!", a traditional Mainz carnival greeting which fills the air.

We had so much fun shouting and dancing as float after float comes on the street. No shouting of Helau, no candy haha! We left halfway through the parade as it was getting colder and we still have to hit Frankfurt for some shopping :)

Color of Germany's flag

Superman in the crowd :)

Until next time. Cheers!