Weiberfastnacht: Fat Thursday

I have been hearing and reading about it, but I dont really know how I could get to join the number one most awaited ladies' event in Germany; the Weiberfasching.

This is always celebrated right after the Ash Wednesday, and they call that day the German Fettdonnerstag or Schmutziger Donnerstag (roughly translated Fat Thursday or Dirty Thursday), or the Weiberfastnacht (Wives Carnival) which means the official start of the carnival.

According to wikipedia: Fat Thursday (Polish Tłusty czwartek, German Fettdonnerstag, Schmutziger Donnerstag, or in areas where carnival is celebrated Weiberfastnacht) is a traditional Polish and German feast marking the last Thursday before Lent. Because Lent is a time of fasting, the next opportunity to feast would not be until Easter. It is similar to, but should not be confused with, the French festival of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday"). Traditionally it is a day dedicated to eating, when people meet in their homes or cafés with their friends and relatives and eat large quantities of sweets, cakes and other meals forbidden during Lent. Among the most popular all-national dishes served on that day are pączki or berliner, fist-sized donuts filled with rose marmalade, and faworki, French dough fingers served with lots of powdered sugar.

The center of this Weiberfastnacht festival would be Cologne or Dusseldorf where the airports issue right inside the airplane a travel warning to men passengers. Women armed with scissors are out to cut those neck ties, a traditional 'game'. And men would be then comforted with kisses afterwards.

Well, most of the men leave their neck ties at home now. But my husband, wanting that the girls could experience this tradition; took two old ties and asked the girls to cut them (see photos). And then of course, I have been preparing for the Ladies' Only Costume Ball for months now! Thanks for the women above 50 who took me under their wings, they asked me to join their reserved table for that ball :D

I asked a neighbor for her help to create a costume. I choose the dress of Jasmin (from Alladin) as inspiration. We went together to buy the materials and for the rest of the week before the ball, we were busy cutting, sewing, and putting the whole costume together. And then the big day came. My husband had to come home earlier than usual because I should meet with the 'girls' at 6:30 p.m.

My girls were too excited, they wanted me to get ready as early as 3 pm. And when I told them they should help me, well --- I dont have to do anything after that. IC sort of dressed me up; while MC stood on stand by, holding her friseur and make up set! Well, I had to wait until their ministrations were finished before I could really do my thing. And my husband, he had fun taking pictures, just like a parent during her child's first prom date!