At 11am on the eleventh of the eleventh, while the English look sober and respectful, a small, red paper poppy in their lapel (which collapses spectacularly at the first hint of rain - making you feel so guilty, you buy another one - yes, a very clever sales team in The Royal British Legion), the Germans celebrate St. Martin.
St. Martin, (he of cutting-his-cloak-in-half-to-share-with-a-beggar-during-a-snowstorm fame) is the German version of our Bonfire Night; but without the bonfires. Instead, little kids walk around the local square singing songs while holding little paper lanters, and looking generally very cute.
But, as you may have realised by now, Berlin don't follow no rules. Oh no! So, as I made a makeshift lantern by putting my chunky candle in a glass coffee pot, we headed off to Boxhagener Platz as it turned dark. We weren't alone! Getting closer, we could see other studenty types looking slightly embarrassed with their creation of a flashing bike light in a red glove, hanging on a string. Finally, we found a middle-aged man, with an outdoor sound system pumping out Reggae beats, and serving free Glüwein.
Mmmmm!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
"Our bonfire night" - oh Casper, Brit for the day, and you pick this event to be proud of? On a side note, St Martin's Day celebration isn't uncommon in your forgotten fatherland - I remember making my own lantern, but wasn't the type to go round the streets singing songs.
I hope you enjoy the snow! Oh and don't forget to listen to the song "Over de muur" xx
Post a Comment