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Liebe Närrinnen und Narren 
Greetings from Germany! Your 2010 Prinzenpaar - ST Prinz William I & IL Prinzessin Carol I, along with Renate Davison and Heidi Stockdale from Denver, Colorado have been representing GAMGA in Germany for the past two weeks. Our first couple of days after arriving in Frankfurt was spent attending Sparkkassenfastnacht in Büttelborn and Prunksitzung in Renate’s home town of Groß-Gerau. Thanks to Karl Merz, Präsident KG Kreissparkkasse Groß-Gerau for inviting the GAMGA representatives to these events. It was an honor for us to be a part of the Karnevals celebrations there and I think a surprise for some of the local town folk attending to see a Prinzenpaar from the United States and to learn Karneval is being celebrated not only in Germany, but in the US, Canada and Mexico!
We also had an opportunity to visit the Karneval Museum in Mainz. Here we met with Heinz Krumrey from Windhoek, Namibia South Africa and the Präsident of Mainzer Carneval Club, Bernd Mühl. A group of young children from a local school were there singing Karneval songs and learning some history about Mainz Karneval. It is nice to see the traditions continuing. In the afternoon during lunch and beer we had an opportunity to exchange Orden. After a cold and snowy drive from Groß-Gerau, we arrived in Berlin late afternoon February 11th. Rolf Veiting, Präsident Stadtgarde Rot-Gold Berlin, met with us at our hotel to discuss the weekend events. Within an hour and a half of arrival we were whisked away in a van with Hans Pott, Vizepräsident. First stop was dinner and drinks at Maringo, a local bar/restaurant in Berlin. This was a chance for us to get a bite to eat and get acquainted with members of Stadtgarde Rot-Gold. It was Weiberfastnacht so all the ladies where dressed in costume. A DJ played Karnevals music to Schunkel and Dance. We were also treated to a performance of ‘YMCA’ by the lady Musketeers of Rot-Gold as an honor dance for the GAMGA Prinzenpaar. Next stop, Wilmersdorf O.U.T.e.V. 1 Karnevalsstammtisch Berlin. Here we met the Berlin Prinzenpaar, S.T. Prinz Andreas II and I.L. Prinzessin Judith I. and exchanged Orden with Wilmersdorf. Back in the van to a local pub frequented by the members of Rot-Gold for more Gemutlichkeit. Friday we spent the day on the train sightseeing in Berlin. Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and some remnants of the Berlin Wall. There is a lot of history there and many days can be spent taking it all in. Unfortunately, we only had one. It had been 12 days of non-stop traveling and partying so we spent Saturday resting at the hotel. That night a Karneval party was held at the Maringo. Members of Stadtgarde Rot-Gold along with us and over 100 Berliners spent the evening listening to music, dancing and watching the Rot-Gold Prinzengarde and Musketeers perform. A countdown to midnight for a champagne toast and Happy Birthday was sung to Prinzessin Carol for her birthday on the 14th. This was first of many times Berlin sang to Carol. The big day came quick Sunday morning. After bundling up to prepare for the cold morning, Hanz Pott picked us up for breakfast at Tiffanies in a shopping mall close to the Parade start point. Here we were joined by the Berlin Prinzenpaar and a few other guests. After breakfast a bouquet of flowers was presented to Carol for her birthday and we presented Prinz Andreas and Prinzessin Judith with Orden and then walked down to the starting point. On the way we were greeted by the folks that had came out early to line the parade route. Some knew who we were by previous articles in parade announcements and local papers. Most were surprised to find out an American Prinzenpaar were in Berlin to celebrate with them. We met up with the rest of Stadtgarde Rot-Gold at their parade float. The floats are enormous and decorated with each groups colors and Karneval décor. All are pulled by semi tractor trucks. Rot-Gold had us set up to ride in a Lexus convertible behind their float in the number one spot in the parade. What an honor this was and maybe a first for GAMGA Prinzenpaar. Rolf Vieting presented another bouquet of flowers and everyone close to us sang Happy Birthday to Carol. After a couple of interviews and many photos, the parade began. The excitement in the parade cannot be described. The snow stopped and the sun tried to peak out from the clouds and all thoughts of being cold went away. Tens of thousands of people lined the route which took about three hours to cover. We were interviewed by the Berlin television station in front of the main viewing stand and the MC thanked us for attending and wished Carol a happy birthday. We had brought some Hershey Kisses and other candy with us along with some US Flag lapel pins to throw out to the crowd. Rot-Gold had also provided us with more to toss out. I can’t begin to estimate the amount of candy, cakes, flowers and other trinkets thrown out during the parade. One thing for sure, you don’t dare run out! After the parade we all went over to Universal Hall in Berlin for the after parade party. This was a night of performances by all the Karnevals Groups, music, presentations and of course drinking. 3fach Berlin- “Hei-Jo, Hei-Jo, Hei-Jo” Karneval an der Spree “Ole, Ole, Ole” I cannot thank Rolf Vieting and the members of Stadtgarde Rot-Gold enough for hosting us in Berlin. They treated us like true Royalty and made sure our every need and want was taken care of. I described to the crowd at the after party that we had the time of our lives during the time we spent in Berlin and one we will never forget. Stadtgarde Rot-Gold made that happen. THANK YOU!!!!! Follow this link for pictures. http://www.tevedelweiss.org/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album186&page=1 Prinz William |
