Mardi Gras in Munich

While Munich isn't one of Germany's main cities when it comes to carnival celebrations, Mardi Gras nevertheless is a welcome occasion to come together in the city center between the Marienplatz and Karlsplatz. Last year it snowed on Mardi Gras (you can see photos from that day if you click here), but this year the sun was shining. Thus many people flocked to the Faschingstreiben (carnival celebration) in Munich's pedestrian zone.

I had pondered wearing my hair in a Gibson Girl style...

... yet finally settled on this look with a butterfly and dragonfly in my hair:

Are you ready for Mardi Gras in Munich? Perfect! Let's start at the Marienplatz (Mary's Square) with the New Townhall which was decorated with colorful flags. In the background you see one of the towers of the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady).

Here's a close-up of the famous carillon:

The New Townhall is a very interesting building with many intriguing details. Here you see one of its sides...

... where strange critters live:

Even a dragon lives in magic Munich:

The Old Townhall has a magnificent clock:

If you look towards the street Tal (valley), you see the Heilig Geist Kirche (Holy Ghost Church) with its beautiful facade...

... and the all-seeing eye on the very top:

There's a Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum) nearby...

... and a statue of Juliet:

However, you are here for the Mardi Gras fun! So let's have a look at the costumes and masks. There were quite a few animals around. Mice.

Roosters.

Paradise Birds.

A cute little dragon.

A tiger man and a tiger boy.

I also saw mythical beings. Medusas.

A leprechaun.

Some witches.

Then I met a lovely Renaissance couple...

... a king...

... and Sissi herself (or whatever).

I even ran into Jack Sparrow.

So many ethnic groups were about. Guys from Africa...

... China...

... and Mexico:

I even saw cavemen.

And then there were clowns.

And a carrot.

And this completely wild scrap woman.

Now it's time to for one last look back towards Mary's Square -- right into a confetti shower:

Are you ready to walk through the pedestrian zone to Charles Square? No? Do you first need some food? Okay, no problem! Here's a demon cooking up some hot food:

Or would you rather have some candy?

What about a candy apple?

Maybe you want to try something typical for the season -- a Krapfen.

Now you are fit for the walk! Let's go -- just follow the lady with the flower hat.

There are fun things to discover along the way. Balloons.

Masks.

Even the lamps wear masks.

Just follow the crowd.

Wave to the lady selling confetti.

We also pass the Frauenkirche on our way.

On a building there's a man carring a tower. That's a reminder of the Kaufinger Tor -- a former city gate which was torn down in 1807 because the town was growing so much.

On our way we pass another music stage. There's music practically everywhere -- and all those great smells!

Slowly we come nearer.

In the distance you can make out the Karlstor (Charles Gate).

And here it is finally:

In the foreground you see a fountain -- the fountain boy all covered in ice. Yes, it was cold that day!

A clown hanging at the Karlstor greets people.

From the Stachus (that's how locals call the square) or Karlsplatz you can see the Palace of Justice.

However, that's not why we went here. We want to see Lou Bega!

Lots of people had gathered for the concert.

Then he finally came -- Mambo Nr. 5 was in the air!

Are you ready for some music now? Just click on the movie clip and get a feel of the atmosphere of this sunny Mardi Gras in Munich: