Also, whose stupid idea was it to let people look at their exam results on the Thursday before Carnival Monday?
Now I suppose I have to explain about this to the non-Germans.
The Thursday before Carnival Monday is named
Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival, for lack of a better translation), which makes it an excuse to dress up and get drunk (not only women) and cut off men's ties and shoe laces (only women).
As this day was today, everyone and their dog's brother were dressed up. Which is fine, although most of the costumes look cheap and are boring. The problem is they're also getting wasted and singing, which is rather annoying. Well, the pirates on the train were actually quite nice, although their Captain Jack Sparrow was, alas, not the real one. There were also some people who were probably LARPers or members of the Colognian Tribes, so their costumes were quite good; but most just had these cheap flimsy things you can buy in every store, and they were almost all clowns, surgeons, fairies or Indians.
Well, the visit to Cologne was not entirely pointless in as much as I know understand where the bad essay grade comes from. I did write a lot of superficial stuff (which I knew), and I also made a lot of stupid mistakes in my hurry. And I knew that my introduction and summary were bullshit, especially the latter as I was running out of time. Am slightly offended because they complained about my insufficient vocabulary and "too complex sentences", though. But all in all, I comprehend why that only resulted in a D.
The all-in-all result is 2,8. Not what I'd hoped for, but oh well. I passed.
Amusing was the way back: Two guys on the train next to me were talking about really creative costumes that would be more interesting than the usual stuff. I hereby share with you their ideas for "Colognian Insiders":
a - The "Jesus Lives!" woman. This is sort of the Colognian equivalent of Jack Chick: An old woman on the street with a sign saying "The most important thing: Jesus lives!". She is handing out leaflets and brochures and putting up posters saying some or other thing about how your life is all pointless without Jesus.
How to dress up like her: Wear very correct, very boring clothing (Jehova's Witnesses Second Hand Shop type). Fill shopping bag with leaflets proclaiming that "Jesus Lives!"; display a sign saying "Jesus Lives!". Optionally, replace "Jesus" with either "Frodo", "Elvis" or "Jeannie".
[Seriously though, I don't mind religious people. I admire anyone who believes firmly in whatever they want to believe in. I don't mind Jesus either; he had some good ideas, whether he was real or not. But as soon as people come and try to convert me, or oppress anyone thinking different from them, I cannot help but mock them. To each their own, but that should include myself. Leave me alone and I accept your belief. If you can't talk about anything without referring to your deity of choice's grace, I may roll my eyes but only secretly. But try to force it on me and I'll laugh at you. I'm sorry. Yes, I'm a bad person.]b - The Stofferia Frog. There is a store for fabrics in Cologne which is named the
Stofferia. Now it is slightly hidden, so all business days, a little Asian man dressed up as a frog is holding a sign guiding you to that store. No one knows why he wears a frog costume, but he does. He belongs to the shopping street like the doves. Probably everyone will recognize whom you are imitating.
How to dress up like him: If your hair isn't naturally black, dye it or wear a wig. Colour your skin yellowish. Wear frog costume. Voila.
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( Altweiberfastnacht )- - -
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