Carnival

As many of my readers know already, Carnival was a tradition associated with The Church (back when there was only one, or perhaps two -- Orthodox Christianity split off a long time ago). Carnival was the party that happened leading into the long dark days leading into Lent, with the biggest celebration on Maundy Tuesday.

We are in a Catholic part of the Netherlands...and so the festivals are starting. Much of Dutch life will shut down for a week of fun starting soon. There will be drinking, costumes, more drinking, parades, fun social events, more drinking, oh...and costumes. Not like Mardi Gras in Rio costumes, but more like Halloween with extra face paint...oh and did I mention: adults in costumes?

Today, while on our way to the grocery store, we passed a celebration. There were literally busloads gathered at a large indoor sport area in Uden. And we were continuing our drive into town only to pass a guy dressed in crown, fake beard and face paint on his bicycle with his velvet robe fluttering behind him. There are times when I really wish that I could stop in the middle of traffic and take photos.