Another Binche thing....or two....

 I forgot to point out that the windows are covered with chicken wire because they will be attacked by blood oranges during tomorrow's festivities.

Also....Matt read somewhere that the term 'binge drinking' originated in Binche, Belgium.  So yes, those Bees in the pictures were drunk.  :)

Carnavale in Binche, Belgium

Yesterday we went to the Carnaval festivities in Binche, Belgium with our new friends the Hensons; Maureen, Jacob and Autumn.  We wisely opted to take the train for 20 Euros round trip.  Binche is a small town south of Brussels with only 600 public parking spots, and as we rode in on the train, we could see the cars lining the roads leading into the town.

Binche is widely known for it's Carnaval celebrations.  It was recognized in 2003 (I think) by UNESCO, and is a World Heritage site.  I think the part that was actually recognized is the parade that takes place on Tuesday for Mardi Gras, which includes the procession of the Gilles. The Gilles are characterized by their vibrant dress, wax masks and wooden footwear^. They number up to 1,000 at any given time, range in age from 3 to 60, and are customarily male.  It is an honor to be selected as a Gilles.

Here is some more from Wikipedia:  Wikipedia on Carnival of Binche

A picture of the Gilles (from the Internet):  

We didn't see any Gilles on Sunday.  Only these cakes in the Patisserie window:

We got into town around noon, and wandered from the train station into the center of town.  Along the way, there was much beating of drums, and different groups of people dressed in different costumes. 

From the Carnaval website:  Shrove Sunday is the most colorful day of the Carnival. The Gilles, Peasants, Pierrots and Alequins-to-be wear a fantasy costume, that has been imagined months ago and prepared in secret.

From 7am the participants leave their home walking from door to door through the city in small groups, with the sound of the drums or the viola. The visitors can then admire the beauty and the originality of the “Sunday costumes”.

I think my favorite were the Ostriches

and the Flight Attendants.

Who had to check their planes when they went into the bar!!!

After a meal with their family or their friends, the societies gather together again on the Eugène Derbaix square, near the station, for the Shrove Sunday procession. Accompanied by the drums and the brass instruments, they join the Wanderpepen Avenue and they finally split up at the Charles Deliège Avenue.

After the procession the societies continues to walk the streets with music playing until the end of the evening. The sound of the drums will then give rhythm to the night.
 

Grace had a really good time playing with the confetti and streamers!

Audrey seemed to enjoy herself, too.

We left Binche right as the parade was starting at 3pm.  It was starting to snow....  and the parade seemed really unorganized and haphazard.  It seemed to just be more of the same that we had already seen, plus bands.

Here is a link to all of the pictures (100+) from Binche:  Carnaval Pictures

We had a really good time, and reminded ourselves once again that this is why we're here!