We went into a local pub, met a few colleagues of Madelaine's host father, and grabbed some food and drinks while waiting for the festivities to begin. The three of us were on edge - not quite knowing what to expect, and not knowing when it would begin.
Suddenly men in wooden masks and wierd costumes came and banged on the window of the pub with pine branches, and accordion music suddenly hit our ears. Showtime...
The first ones in the door were the musicians playing traditional music. Then came the masked figures - they were wearing suits turned inside out and adorned with corn-husks. They immediately went to all the women in the bar and began to hit our shoulders with the pine branches, and proceeded to mess up our hair in the process. (Apparently this is supposed to guarantee fertility...) With a bunch of hoots, they grabbed dance partners and swung them in circles around the room. It all happened so fast, that the three of us were caught up in the moment - the music went faster and faster and when it FINALLY stopped, it is tradition to buy your masked dance partner a shot of schnapps in return for the dance.
Toto...we aren't in Illinois anymore.
The process repeated itself SEVERAL times throughout the evening - I think about six groups came through our pub, each different from the next. The masks and costumes changed with each passing group...needless to say, I've never seen anything like it in my life!
The first group...
Notice the masks, inside out suits, and corn-husks
Accordion player on top of our table...we decided to nickname him "Tom Cruise"
Madelaine dancing with one from the Viking group
Apparently our table was ideal to stand on top of...this accordion player was losing his socks.
Al being accosted...again!
The last group carried whips?!?
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