Cologne in Berlin

Sleeping a lot helped to overcome my cold enough to feel up to some fun, so I called Uli and asked about the carnival singing session in "Stäv". It started at 5, doors opened at 4, and we were supposed to come dressed up for the event. Two hours left until then - time enough to get a witches hat and some decorations, put on a black and purple dress and fancy jewellery, wash and blow dry my hair to make it look more witchlike, and add heavy purple and black makeup.
People were staring at me, but not much, since Berlin is not a place where you wonder about what others look like, and in the pub everybody was rather special.
The words of the songs of this year carnival in Cologne were printed in leaflets given to all of us, and listening to the music it was really easy to join in with the crowd, merrily singing old favourites and new songs, laughing, dancing, cheering and drinking. Kölsch, of course.
And shedding a tear or two, remembering their hometown, old neighbours, old friends, with a love and pride that you don't find in many places.
Our chosen favourite was "Du bes Kölle" by Tommy Engel, followed by Höhner "Dä Kölsche Pass", Paveier "Schön ist das Leben", and Bläck Fööss "Am Bickendorfer Büdche". You can hear all the songs on the "Lossmersinge"-website, and if you're in Germany at carnival weekend, you can even watch us on tv, WDR, saturday afternoon!
We had lots of fun, but had to stop the music at 10 pm, because some neighbours had been complaining in former years. Well, it's Berlin after all, not Cologne!