Fasnacht: Morning 1 - Morgenstreich

Originally, I had this in the same post as Chinebase but then I realized the fire would trump everything else, so I decided to split them. :)

Next event on the docket, is the Morgenstreich on Monday morning at 4am.  Sorry, big man, mommy wanted to go so you didn't get to miss this one!  I was an overly optimistic mommy and thought we'd just wake him up at 3:30am, pop him in the stroller and he'd fall right back asleep. Well... this didn't happen in the slightest. However, he was still a trooper and was wide eyed throughout the whole experience.  (We did put on his baby headphones to protect him from the noise.) We walked down to the city center around 3:35am, along with everyone else who lives in Basel. We popped into a little cafe for a hot tea and then a little before 4am staked out our spot on the cobblestone streets in a little shop doorway. 

Promptly at 4am, all the city lights turn off and the Morgenstreich begins. The only light or sound coming from the lanterns and music of the Cliques. 

Morgenstreich Setup

The streets were filled with spectators like us but more importantly the Cliques! The Cliques are mini marching bands playing drums & piccolos. They have "lantern" floats they roll along with them or little lanterns attached to their heads.  There is no particular path or route and each Clique roams the streets, playing their own (discordant) tune. If they encounter another Clique, they pause & let the other pass. Each Clique has members of all ages, including kids. 

Video of the Cliques

Potentially my favorite of the "Lanterns"

Clique masks

His expression for most of the morning

Cliques playing piccolos

Lighting up the city

The whole experience was particularly moving & beautiful as you could see the excitement of the city about what was to come. This was just the start of the next 72 hours of Fasnacht.