Karneval: A Dutch Tradition

[diamondjunkie]

Every year at this time, the Dutch celebrate 'Karneval'.  Don't ask me what it's all about - I haven't got a clue!  All I do know is that they dress up in wacky costumes and put on parades!  My kids love it!  Here's some pics from the parade that started in our street today.  Both my son and my daughter had a blast throwing confetti and catching candy from the floats.  Lots of fun was had by all!

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[diamondjunkie]

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[annie1]

Wow DJ - it looks like quite the event!  I'm sure your kids are sleeping well tonight. 

Some of those costume are pretty crazy.  I especially like the band with the bird hats.




Edit:

The woman with the rats kinda freaks me out.

[diamondjunkie]

Oh it is Annie!  They all go nuts!  We purposely don't go to the bigger parades anymore (such as Maastricht) because it gets crazy busy!  Completely insane! 

LOL!  Yeah I have to admit the rats were a bit much for my taste too!  I was wise enough not to take pics of the women with the (fake/foam) oversize chests that were spilling out or the man who was pulling a toilet - seriously!  I just didn't want to know why!

[annie1]

I looked it up on Wikipedia.  Here's what I cam up with:

http://en.wikipedia....n-speaking_countries

[diamondjunkie]

Interesting Annie.  It is certainly a predominantly catholic area here with crosses and tiny private chapels everywhere.

In Germany they call this 'Fasching' - we first experienced the weirdness in February 2001 in Heidelberg and have enjoyed the madness every year since then!

[kleinkath]

We had a love hate relationship with Karneval while we were there.  I will have to find the pictures that I have of us all dressed up.  It is the Dutch equvilent to Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras here.  It is the last big party before lent.

And, let me tell you that life in the South of Holland comes to a complete stop during this time of the year.  But, waht I do like about it is that it really is more of a family affair.  And, the people spend the entire rest of the year planning and making their costumes.

It really is an experience!!!

[diamondjunkie]

Yes everything certainly does stop!  Apart from the parade, we've had a lovely quiet day at home and that doesn't happen very often!

I was wondering about you kk and your thoughts on Karneval - I would love to see pics if you can find them! 

[Snooper]

What a HOOT!!! Dan's part Dutch/German and he isn't familiar with it (but that doesn't mean much)

HOW fun though!!!

[diamondjunkie]

Does Dan have grandparents/parents from here or was he born here?  You guys should come out here to Europe to visit before you have kids and it becomes a nightmare to travel - you guys have a place to stay at our house whenever you want.   

[jewellk]

DJ...Looks like tons of fun!! There aren't many parades here other than St. Patricks Day, the Derby Parade and the Gay Pride Parade. There are lots of festivals in the summer and fall (Derby, bourbon, sorgum, apple, etc) and those are lots of fun but winter is downright BORING around here!!

Ok, I have to ask.....   what is this monkey doing?? I like monkeys but I've been afraid to use this smiley b/c it kinda looks like he's throwing poo...!!!??

[GracefulLion]

That is so funny!  It looks to me like he scratches his belly, eats a banana, and throws the peel.

[diamondjunkie]

I agree GL but I had to get up close to the screen to figure it out!

[jewellk]

Pheeww! Ok, I can safely use it then! I remembered a story my aunt just told us a few weeks ago when I saw that arm action. She works in a salon and this very wealthy, excentric customer came in and brought her monkey and a woman to "watch" the monkey while she got her hair and nails done. They had been there for about 2 hours and everyone was still crowding around the monkey, ooohing and aaahing over it. My aunt said she stayed away from it b/c she just thought it was too strange to be bringing a monkey to an upscale hair salon, especially for that lenghth of time. Anyway, she said the monkey started squaking and getting a bit "agitated" but people still were gathered around it...very close. Mind you, neither the woman who brought it in, nor the woman who was there to "watch over" the monkey were paying any attention to what was going on. Then, my aunt said she saw it stick it's paw down it's diaper, and WHAMMO!!! About 4 or 5 of the ladies got hit with poo!!! It was chaos from there on out!!!

I still like monkeys though     

[diamondjunkie]

That is hilarious and disgusting!!  I don't know whether to laugh or cringe!!     At least they were in the right place for 'poo removal' and re-beautifying!!!   

[jewellk]

I know! I was grossed out and laughing hysterically when she told me the story. She was amazed that I guessed what was going to happen. She said she had no idea that monkeys did that. I guess she's (and all those other ladies) never been to a zoo!

[FoxyandSexy]

Looks like so much fun DJ. I'm sure your kids had a blast!!!

Jewellk, that is so gross! I guess they could have said they were trying out a new "mud facial". YUCKY!!!!

Amy

[DiamondLady]

It looks like a very FUN time!!  And I was thinking it might somehow be related to the Mardi Gras we have in the states since it obviously falls at the same time of year.

And speaking of German. My DH is VERY german. He has quite an interesting geneology from waaaaay back when on his fathers side. They eventually migrated over to America and altered thier name. They used to be the VonDohna's and they even have an OLD castle and I believe a town. I looked it up online one time.  When the ancestors migrated over, they dropped the Von and became just the Dohna's.

[Snooper]

Aww Denise *hugs* Dan's grandmother lived there before she came to America late 40's or so, after she gave birth to dan's parents.  I never met her as she had passed away 5 years prior.

If anyone is in the DC area and needs to stay, mi casa es su casa too:) You'll just have to share it with my 3 cats and dogs:)

[BigRed]

Yeah I was also going to say it must be related to Mardi Gras because it was Fat Tuesday yesterday. They also have a huge parade where they throw off beads instead of candy! But the same vibrant costumes and huge floats.

[luvnjewelry]

That looks pretty fun!   It is always so interesting to see what goes on in another side of the world.   I was thinking of Mardi gras too....but I don't think they have kids in there parade??  I could be wrong as I have never been.    Great pics too!~Ronda

[luvnjewelry]

Oh my gosh jewellk....what a story!  I would have been pissed! Nothing like going to get your "beauty treatment" and having $h*t slung at you!!!  Didn't those ladies know that is a new version for a "mud mask"?    ~Ronda

[Rubymu]

Loved your photos DJ - how cool is that!! I bet your little ones had a ball.....

I really like the cat outfits.....looks like a lot of fun.

[kleinkath]

It is different from Mardi Gras as it is much more of a family affair.  I would tell friends that came over that there was no flashing for beads!!!

It truly is like nothing you have ever seen before!  Note to self...I will see if I can find a few of my pictures this afternoon.