London: Spring Visits

Sunday afternoon tea: to my delight the wholefood in Camden is no stocking vegan cupcakes.




Walk down Tufnell Park: view on London on Sunday afternoon.



I wonder why I have never made it to Columbia flower market before. It is a lovely road with many very cute shops (see above) and a great opportunity to buy all kinds of plants from orchids to olive trees in a real East End atmosphere.



The interior of the Modern Tate. Currently a whole new building is being under construction on the south side of the former power station which will provide new gallery and learning space (http://www.tate.org.uk/about/pressoffice/pressreleases/2010/21030.htm).



My friend Dagmar while passing the Regent's Canal in Camden.

Posted by Sharms.

Bonn: Karneval 2010

After missing Carnival last year while being in Atlanta (hutchrenaud.blogspot.com/2009/03/east-atlanta.html) I manged to take part in the festivities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_carnival) at least for one day this year: Rosenmontag ("Rose Monday") is the day when a big parade takes place in Bonn and other towns which are mainly situated in the Rhineland (but also in some other places in Germany). During the parade the participants give away sweets and other things to people on the street. The last wagon in the parade is always that of the Carnival Princess (pictured) and Prince, who are elected each year.



Some inventive clowns.



A traditional group of town soldiers. There are many different soldier groups participating in the parade - the uniforms are based on traditional uniforms from the 18th century. Most people on the streets are wearing a fancy dress. Rather than wearing a perfect costume, the point of the fancy dress is more to look as ridiculous as possible - my friend Constanze (Superman) and I (bluebell) before going into town





After the parade is over, people go to bars and pubs and dance to traditional Karneval Music. The texts are usually in the local dialect and very funny. However people are also dancing on the streets everywhere - e.g. at the Zionation sound system, which I always like to visit (http://www.indubtrination.org/).

Posted by Sharms.