Fasching Parade in Tubingen

Today after picking up Dog, moving more stuff to our house and getting a little organized for our move tomorrow, we headed down to Tubingen, about 15 minutes further south for a Fasching Parade.

Fasching is the German version of Mardi Gras... it occurs throughout most of the month of February with various parades and celebrations in different towns. Clubs and groups get together, dress up in wildly elaborate costumes, and parade through town. They throw confetti (or just dump it on your head, as happened to Alex) and candy. They're also very tricky and in your face. Some will take babies away and carry and dance with them. Some wrestle and play with the parade-watchers. One costumed person tied a girl's feet together and then carried her far from her friends; she had to hop back! It's very spirited and unlike parades in the US. Of course my camera was left back at the house, but see this footage for an example .

After the parade we headed back to the house for more organizing and then out to dinner. We still had the dog so Ric brought her in with us (we've heard that German restaurants are friendly to dogs); and the crazy thing is that she was welcome! We got a room in the back (acceptable for dogs as well as for kids) and the waitress even brought "wasser for der hund" - she got her own water bowl and slept politely under the table during the whole meal.

Tomorrow is moving day and we'll be off-line for a few days. I'll post pictures of the house when we get back up and running.