Fasnacht

So, die drie scheentste Dääg have been and gone in Basel. Waking up after the Morgestraich to bright, blue skies and a warm temperature certainly put us in the mood to spend the afternoon watching the first parade. We got a good spot on the Wettsteinbrücke and watched the crowds assemble. At half-one the piccolo and drums started up again and for four hours we watched the cliques parade past. The Sujet included such diverse topics as Lady Gaga, Women in Power and the Burkha-isation of Switzerland.

There were also several groups of Guggemusik performers - deliberately out of tune brass bands with drums and xylophones who marched with the more traditional groups. Some of their instruments looked very heavy.

Special mention should also go to the Waggis. Waggis was originally the word used for the people from Alsace who came to Basel to sell fruit and veg at market. Now it is more about the character that is based on them: he has a big nose, wild hair and giant teeth; he throws sweets or oranges or flowers to the crowd if he feels in a good mood; if not he throws confetti at them. My best "gift" was a glass of wine; a woman next to me was given a chicken leg (raw, de-feathered and complete with foot).

On the Tuesday there wasn't an official parade, but many of the groups took part in gassle, which is the meandering through the alleys of the Old Town playing music, followed by groups of people. Children were also dressed up to take part, and gave out sweets and confetti like the Waggis the day before. We had a lucky escape- only once were we confetti'ed.

By Wednesday the weather had turned for the worse so we gave the second parade, in similar vain to that on the Monday afternoon, a miss, though they were still going strong when we ventured into town for a beer later in the day...