As a brief departure from my typical doors and windows and building and trees.... I bring you, people... well, kind of. Karneval was one of the most enjoyable, and for me unusual things I have seen while living in Europe. It is a festival that happens sometime after Christmas and before the start of Lent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnacht
The people in the parade dress in costumes and masks many of which have a rather ghoulish look as you will see. The ghouls and witches would try to scare the kids, and then would give them candy. The entire event was very high spirited. When I asked a German at the parade why they celebrate it, she said that it was to drive the ghosts and the spirits of winter away so that the spring will come. So, she said, tomorrow, spring will be here and you can wear a bikini.
