For the past two days, I have been reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen for our March Book Club. As usual, I waited until the last minute to start the book, but thankfully it was highly enjoyable and a quick read. Here is a summary:
An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers set in the circus world of 1932. When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.
I would definitely recommend reading it before the movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson comes out in April. We are meeting tonight and I am looking forward to seeing all the ladies. Also our April book is: The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, which was decided back in February and I was able to pick it up in the states. Not exactly certain what it is about, but hopefully, by having it early I will start reading before the week of our meeting.
More importantly, yesterday was Fasching, which is Munich’s version of Carnival. Most people will get the afternoon off work and head down to the Viktualienmarkt wearing silly costumes and surprisingly, Brad was able to leave work early. Therefore, we decided to head down there to check it out. Everyone was wearing crazy costumes, dancing in the streets and extremely drunk at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I have never seen so many empty champagne bottles littering the streets. The festival reminded us of bay to breakers without the race and Halloween (Germany does not really celebrate this holiday). I had no idea that Munich took this festival so seriously and needed to find out more about it. Fasching is carnival season and originally was a Pagan festival which came out of ancient Rome or Greece. However, in recent centuries, it has become more associated with the Christian Church. The season starts on November 11th at 11:11am, although I have no idea why and is pretty low key for about three months. But then seven weeks before Easter things really start happening, where people are allowed to "flip out" and behave recklessly before the beginning of Lent.The Thursday before Ash Wednesday is known as "Weiberfastnacht", or "Women's carnival night". On this day, women are allowed to cut off the tie of any man within reach. So guys, don't wear your favorite tie to work that day! Also, women are allowed to kiss any man they like. Then, the following Monday is known as Rosenmontag (Rose Monday). On Rosenmontag there are various street processions involving lots of costumes and carnival floats. Faschingsdienstag (Carnival Tuesday) is the last day of Fasching and when most of the festivities happen.
Someone did tell us that girls will cut off men’s ties on Tuesday too, so after begging Brad to remove it, he finally took it off after we found a party and guys were pointing at him. At least next year we will know to get costumes and arrive in Mariensplatz early to enjoy the festivities.
Die Liebe der Gauntletts
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