“Polka Polka Polka vom Rhine bis an die Wolga”.

Posted on November 18, 2016 by likearollingstone1090

The wind was cold and rough, but this didn’t stop me and my friend  Stáňa from waking up unreasonably early to get ready and be in Cologne in time for 11:11.11 According to tradition, the Carnival officially starts  at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of the 11th month November.Although, it is temporarily interrupted by Christmas celebrations, it resumes and concludes to what is known as the famous street Carnival in February (pretty cool eh?).

By half past nine we were already at the train station where we met two other pals and we decided to board the overwhelmingly crowded train to Cologne.Despite the fact that we were packed like sardines in a can, it was warm and there was an atmosphere of joy due to the people in costumes (mostly comfortable onesies), plus a can of Czech beer that we shared on our way there.As soon as we reached the HBF or Cologne’s central station, we could see a crowd of  people, dressed in colourful costumes and holding countless cans of beer, making their way to Heumarkt square, the place where it all starts.

After having a quick bite and a small break, our squad headed towards Zülpicher Straße where we met with some pals of our German friend, the one who led us to Zülpicher to begin with, that we already knew from the welcome week.Some Erasmus students from Italy were among them as well,I can say that we meet them at pretty much every party.
We spent some time in the street celebrating among the others and after a brief flunkyball game, of which I was sadly a mere spectator this time, we ended in a pub called “La croque” where we had to wait outside for a bit, as Stáňa  had to throw away the Czech beer cans that she brought with her otherwise she couldn’t get in. Of course we couldn’t let good  beer go to waste so we finished it before we could enter the pub and it was there where we met an Erasmus student from Spain, who was dressed as a parrot, a perfect match to Stáňa’s pirate costume, so we took a picture with him.Naturally.

they played some really cheerful carnival music. By the time me and  Stáňa decided to have a break, which was approximately 5 hours after we got to the pub, the streets were still  quite crowded. After we had our coffee and Tea, we rejoined our group to another pub where we stayed for 2 more hours, 2 hours of Carnival music and dancing. Afterwards the others left to get something to eat and we soon joined another group of Erasmus people that was also somewhere in Cologne.We weren’t ready to leave quite yet, as some of us will probably won’t have the opportunity to be there next year.Our Erasmus friend  who had recently come back from Slovenia brought some really good blue berry liqueur, that we all tried and appreciated,the amount of international food and drinks we tried on this Semester so fa, is enough to add infinite points to our certificate of International competence.
From there we continued to another pub and we continued partying until midnight.By that time we heard the Carnival songs at least 5 times each but we didn’t mind as we could now sing the along to the lyrics.Even those of us who speak only a few words in German.
They say that the Street Carnival that takes place in February is even bigger, so I must admit my curiosity is already piqued and I’m really looking forward to take part in it.Still we had a great time experiencing the start of one of Cologne’s, maybe Germany’s, most famous events.

While Carnival has just started, the Carnival spirit is temporarily put to rest and giving its place to the Christmas spirit.Therefore this is the week of the Christmas markets and glühwein, two things that Germany is also very famous for.For all I know, it is  one of the reasons that make Germany an excellent destination for Christmas.As far as I’m concerned, I will like to visit plenty of them both in Bonn and Cologne, because what better way to embrace the Christmas spirit while studying abroad, than with the flavour of  delicious treats and the sight of decorated stalls.

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