Fasnacht

During the months of February and March, Fasnacht is celebrated around Switzerland and in some parts of Germany and Austria. It is the celebration before Lent, literally "Fast Eve." It's similar to Halloween in that everyone dresses up (for a day at school or if they go to the carnival). However, it spans over two months with carnivals and parades taking place in different towns.

Here are pics of Kelsey eating a traditional treat for this time of year: Fasnachtchüechli. It's dough, stretched out thin, deep-fried, with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. They come in a round, frisbee-sized shape with about 6 in a pack. They are only available during this time of year.

Saving some for later

Earlier this month, we went to the big parade/carnival in Basel with our friends Elisa, Chad & Eden Parry. They helped me with Kelsey allowing me to take hundreds of pictures which is why I am just now getting around to posting them. You can see the other photos in my Picasa Web Album.

Many of the floats/costumes carried a theme. Some of them were advertising a business, others made a political statement while others were just being creative. I was amazed by all the ornate masks and costumes, sometimes created for an entire band! I talked to a guy who makes Fasnacht masks and the price of one mask ranges between 800-3,000 CHF which is close to the same in dollars!! They sure go all out for these events. Many of the spectators were also dressed up, sometimes even the whole family.Even with all of the pictures I took, I only captured probably and eighth or less of the main parade costumes. It took a few tries to get everyone in the picture.

Some of the costumed people would give you flowers

While others would lure you closer with a flower and then throw confetti all over you!

Political Statements about who's to blame for the economic crisis

Sweet Costumes

Cool Masks

Scary Costumes

Kelsey Favorites: looking at animals and babies

This guy was pretending to put alcohol in Kelsey's sippy cup

Kelsey playing in party streamers

We ended up with PILES of confetti in Kelsey's stroller, in her wings, diaper, jacket and even in the feet of the doll's pajamas. I am STILL finding confetti around the house! What's also interesting to note is they don't sell a mixed bag of colors of confetti - only huge bags of each color (so people don't sweep up the confetti and re-sell it). So when you see so many different colors on the sidewalk, you know there's been a party!