Storming toadstools

It's Karneval time here.

The time of year when Germans feel morally obliged to go out and have FUN.

To ensure maximum fun is had you have to dress up in whatever takes your fancy (purple rabbits, pigs, cows and geese were some of the tamer outfits around in Düsseldorf today) and drink from 9am until falling down o'clock.

Today is "Altweiber" or "Weiberfastnacht" the day when traditionally the women storm the Rathaus (townhall) cutting off the ties from any men they find who are foolish enough to be wearing ties.

I spent the morning with a group of crazy friends from the AWCD, all dressed as toadstools, waiting for our chance to get into the Rathaus with our scissors. So far we've found two online newspapers with our photos in, who knows what tomorrow will bring. Shameless.