Maastricht Carnaval 2017!

This year we got to take part in our second Carnival. With it being our second year, we had a better idea of how we could really have fun at Carnival. It definitely helped that, this year, we hadn't just moved to another continent.

We started with a pretty calm day of seeing the Prince of Carnival arrive at the station and then we went to the Markt to see him arrive there to...well do something with the statue of t'Mooswief, who got all dressed up with vegetables.

 

I can't tell if my memory of it is skewed, because of being generally overwhelmed with everything last year, but I expected a lot more from the Saturday of Carnival weekend. In contrast to what I remember from last year, almost no one was dressed up, there weren't any bands around the city, and I don't remember hearing any partying that night.

But, the Carnival Sunday was more what I was expecting. We got dressed up and headed to the Vrijthof to see them raise t'Mooswief! She signifies the official start of Carnival.

    

We then headed to the St. Servaas bridge and got a spot nearby for the parade.

Of course, we had drinks with us the whole time. And we saw a totally different view of the parade from last year (we watched it near the Station in Wyck last year, on the other side of the river).

Then it was off to the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein to get some food, then hang out and drink (some more)!

Those were the only two days we took part in Carnival this year. Partly because it rained every other day, and partly (okay mostly) because I can't drink for a whole day and function the next day. I spent Carnival Monday in bed. It was worth it though!