Balcony and kitchen tidy up

Just another little project I did while we were in our German home - organising and tidying the kitchen and the balcony. I had planned to buy some plants and have the balcony a little greener and brighter - but its still pretty cold here and most of the tiny plants available are too tender to withstand the chilly temperatures.

I enjoy organising things and love the feeling of accomplishing order.... and yes.. this is def therapy for me.

Some photos of what it looked like before, half way through, and the finished project.  this is the sort of things that as a HelpX worker, you get to do all the time.

So pretty much plants which have died and left over the winter period. Lots of pots and general stuff on the balcony - a place that doesn't get a lot of use in the months that are freezing here.

I pulled all the dead plants out, sorted pots and threw away rubbish.

and look what I found under a bunch of rubbish! A pond set..  I don't think it works - but a bonus to find it and see if Nicole wants to try and get it going again.. there is something magical about having running water and ponds near the house.

So - finished products - this area now tidy and items stacked readily available fo ruse.

I planted a few herbs which are hardy and hopefully will cope till it gets hotter here.






Somewhere to sit and relax when the sun starts to get warmer.

Pots etc all ready to plant with veges and herbs.

Rosen Montag in Mainz

Our second day to don the onsie costumes and head out for a day watching bands, dancing to music in the street and eating lollies which are being pelted at you.. Not a bad way to spend a few days!

After yesterdays fairly laid back affair, it was a bit of a shock to turn up to Mainz - with about a million ( not kidding) other costumed people. Rosen Montag is one of the last parades and festivities of Fastnacht. It seemed that just about every Mainzer young and old turns up to take part of this parade. We traveled by train into the centre of the city as practically the whole town is cordoned off.  

It was a bizarre feeling walking to the train station in my fox costume, but you know. .its ok.. we were surrounded by bumble bees, clowns, roman centurions monks, princesses and cows. The level of detail and effort people put in was incredible.

The train was jam packed, at one point up against me was a giraffe who had just stubbed out  a huge rollie before getting on the train.... hmmmm

Costumes for the Karnival come in alllllll sizes and shapes. In fact if you are stuck for an idea.. Just get a rubbish bag and put it on.

We finally found a seat.. beside a huge viking ( with orange plaits)  and an ape. The ape was drinking beer, and by the look of the empties, he has been going hard at it. The entire way into Mainz, the whole carriage sang loudly - some sort of drinking song.. it just made me smile.. and kidna wish I knew the words.

Mainz Rosen Montag is renowned for its scathing political and social commentary through the floats and demonstrations they do during the Karnival.  On every street corner there was a set of tables selling beer and different types of shots. People came in droves with bags full of alcohol and strapped the tiny shots to their costumes. We saw lots of peopel bring trollies and carts full of booze, draggin git along behind them. and of course.. everyone had backpacks ready to fill with the sweets, popcorn and tiny treasures that the  costumed members of the various Carnival societies, businesses and civic organizations who sponsor the bash throw into the crowd.

I've put alot of photos up onto instagram, but here are some highlights of the parade and some of the colourful characters we saw along the way.

This is one of the examples of the shots which are readily available in most shops here.

Fastnacht

This year, I am making a concerted effort to ensure that we go to festivals and fairs in the villages we are visiting. One of the things I love about Europe is that villages and its traditions can be so different within 5 miles of one another.

We were fortunate enough to be in Germany at this time of year to celebrate the end of winter. A pagan celebration of chasing out the cold spirits and welcoming in the spring and winter spirits, this traditional festival has woven in many cultural events.

Fastnacht normally kicks off in November (11 mins past 11 ) with celebrations similar to halloween. It ends in a number of activities in March on Pancake Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Since it is obligatory to wear a costume to the karnival, we wore our onsies - the things we have for the Santiago Camino - so so glad we have them.. they were fantastic - warm and comfy - like wearing your bed around.. don't diss it till you try it.

Our little village hosts a wonderful floats and bands parade on the Sunday. Similar in ways to halloween, people get dressed up to scare away the evil spirits of winter and to celebrate being 'foolish.'  The floats in the parade are filled with people throwing sweets out into the crowd.  There are so many marching bands and organisations all trying to outdo the other with the bright costumes and music.

Heres the peeps eating bratwurst

We hd been warned to take very large backpacks to fill with the amounts of gifts we would be getting.  I didn't  quite realise how much the kids would get... wow.. this sure beats going from door to door to ask for lollies!

I have so many snaps of the karnival, but below are some of my favourite. There were groups of friends who themed their costumes; like this brave lot who came as he man ( only an 80s kid is going to remember that!)