Festivals of the world : Fasching

 

Fasching and Karneval are traditional celebrations in German-speaking countries. This fun-filled festival includes fun parades and carnivals. Hundreds of people gather around the streets to watch the parade. There are elaborate and extravagant floats. The marchers and enthusiastic people wear bright and colorful costumes to the carnival. The most popular costumes are clowns, witches, animals, and wizards. The carnival has game stalls. Food and drinks stalls serve traditional german food like “ FaschingsKrapfen”, a German doughnut filled with jam jelly, bratwurst, pretzel, and Gluhwein.

Fasching has been celebrated in February since the Middle ages. It has a religious significance to it. Today in most countries, it is celebrated for fun and enjoyment.

Alpine village in Bavaria, Germany

A few years back when we lived in Switzerland, tired of going to the touristy destinations we decided to just drive wherever the road took us..Driving through beautiful scenic roads we drove into neighboring Germany.  We drove to the Bavarian region which is known for its splendid beauty, charming cafes and hotels, picturesque villages. It is aptly  known as a romantic road where there are many hidden beautiful places.. Through the country side twisting and turning roads took us to a extraordinary beautiful village hidden in thick green forest surrounded by mountains!!! The village was made of probably 3 lanes and 15-20 odd chalets out of which some where turned into hotels and restaurants.

The beauty of the this village were the 50-80 years old chalets which were adorned with stunning beautiful paintings which showed the life there..Names of the shops or the restaurants were painted like the one in the above picture..Most women we saw wore traditional Bavarian dress.. many men were dressed traditionally as well! 

This painting is not about just a imaginary feast or based on a age old theme.... The scene in this place in the evening is like this almost every evening!!

 We stayed there overnight.That day Germany had won in the Euro football match Semi Final ..so in the evening every one was celebrating ..So the people set up tables outside on the road sides..They sang songs, played music, laughed loudly.. of course there was typical Bavarian food along with free flowing booze.. The celebrations continued till the wee hours of the morning.

One such beautiful chalet..Notice the pretty window displays with flower boxes outside!!

I had a hard time choosing pictures for this post...Every nook and corner was adorned with some or other beautiful detail.. One such detail on one of the corner of the Chalet in the above picture.

Linking to ColorsDekor !!

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

It was a very warm and sunny day in Berlin when we went sightseeing the city. Brandenburg gate was constructed around 1778 -1791.It has beautiful carved statues and monuments from Greek mythology. During the cold war the wall was gate dividing the East and West Berlin. Today it is a symbol of unified Berlin and peace.

It is venue for celebration of Fall of Berlin wall.. When you take a tour in Berlin you will definetly notice the difference in former communist East Berlin and capitalist west Berlin..in the buildings, structures, housing. roads etc..

This place is highly popular tourist destination.. It is surrounded by ice-cream/Gelato shops and restaurants..If you happen to be there don't forget to get a visa to enter other part of Berlin stamped on a postcard as a souvenir!! 


Visit Skywatch Friday for more beautiful skies!!

I am back!!!

I am back and am working on some fantastic projects... Will start sharing these projects regularly from tomorrow..!!!

Have a nice weekend!!!!

Mainau, Germany

I ♥♥♥♥ Mondays!!!!!

                                                Make most of it....

Schwazwald- Black Forest

Few days back we went to Schwarzwald (English: Black Forest) in Germany.. It is a beautiful forest area with quaint, pretty and very cute villages in the area.. We lived in Triberg..which is famous for its cuckoo clocks...I have never seen more prettier and cutest clocks like the ones in Triberg...They had  big and beautifully wooden carved human sized teddy bears ..musicians..dolls..dancers .. birds dancing on it... Can you believe if I tell you the biggest cuckoo clock is a house!!!!(will share the pics later in another post)...

The above was taken on Titisee(Lake Titisee) when we went for a boat ride..The water was cool ..but still we saw locals swimming in it..making most of the weather.. In winter the entire lake freezes some 30 cm and is open for ice skating ....


Linking to Sky watch..

Cactus Monday

Bunny ears...Victory signs.. a balancing act..or a Prickly pear's growing family:) 

Don't miss Mrs.barrel cactus with her kids ..:))

Happy Cactus Monday!!

To participate click here !

Solitude ..

We went to a beautiful park on a island in the Lake Constance( KonstanzSee or Bodensee as they call it here).. It is a very tranquil place..with beautiful views of the lake... Summer has brought the best of the natural beauty ... the clear blue sky reflects in the water ..making the water look even more beautiful ...







I could sit here for hours looking at the blue mountains, blue lake and the blue sky..





I am participating in Skywatch Friday!!! Have a nice weekend!! 

Shhhhh...

           Shhhhhh... Silence please..Its Wordless Wednesday and a White Wednesday too!!!
                                          

Happy Monday

I ♥ Monday!!!

Cactus Monday

Yesterday we went to Mainau a island on Lake Konstanz in Germany. It is beautiful island with stunning views and breathtaking beauty.. I spotted these beautiful cactus in the park.. They just like us seemed to be enjoying the summer and the sunshine...


A cactus flower bed...



They look like lotus .. succulent lotus:)




Happy Cactus Monday!! Visit Teri's super creative blog to participate.

Happy Monday !!

                                          Happy 4th of July to my American friends!!

                         Looking forward to Monday morning with the extra flower power!
                                                       I ♥ Mondays !