Männertag, Men's Day is today

The area has lost its collective mind. Everywhere are groups, some large (~20 guys), some small( ~5 guys) getting drunk on beer. They cart around their booze on decorated wagons, some small,

From 2009_05_21

some bigger,

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And some big enough to also haul those who can't walk anymore.

From 2009_05_21

Some have Hawaiian decorations, some have boom boxes, some have beer umbrellas, all are well stocked with beer. I have never seen anything like it.

I went out on a bike ride this morning, for the excersise, but also to check out the holiday. Oh, did I forget to mention, this is a real holiday. Everyone has the day off! So on my ride I see the large crowds singing. I see guys standing on the high stump of an old tree, seeing who can pee the furthest and taking pictures. People along the trail were laughing with them.

Oh did I forget to mention, I started my ride at 10 in the morning, and the "men" were already out in force, beers raised.

I suppose the most fun I had on my ride was when I slowly approached a very big group (~20). They were blocking the trail. They had one of the larger carts, nicely refrigerated, with an umbrella and music. Everyone who wanted to get by had to run the gauntlet. So there I went, through the guys, as they slapped my behind.

Very interesting people, these Germans.

So to all you men out there who, like me, had never heard of Männertag, Prost.