Carnival, candy & chaos

If there’s one thing Germany does well (besides grey bread, bureaucracy, and making small talk about the weather), it’s Carnival. This time of year, the streets explode with music, confetti, and an energy that says: Forget your worries, grab a costume, a few beer, and dance! And this year, despite all the uncertainties in our lives, we fully embraced the spirit of the season.

As many of you know, we’re in a bit of a limbo phase—waiting to sell our apartment in Paris, hoping to buy a new home in Germany, and, in the meantime, squeezing into a one-bedroom apartment above a bar. A situation that, under normal circumstances, might seem stressful. But during Carnival? Well, let’s just say we’re in the heart of the action.

When Life Hands You a Party… Join In!

Our temporary home happens to be an epicenter of celebration, with parties shaking the walls from below as we navigate daily life above. Instead of resisting the chaos, we’ve decided to lean in. After all, what’s a little noise when it comes with laughter, music, and the sheer joy of a centuries-old tradition?

On Sunday, we took the full plunge into Fasching mode and headed to Oberursel’s Carnival parade, willingly choosing a small town over Frankfurt. The girls and I, of course, donned our best costumes—because let’s be honest, it’s not Carnival unless you’re dressed up! Their dad, who came to visit, joined in along with his brother and his family, making it a true family affair.

The parade? A whirlwind of color, music, and, most importantly for the kids—candy! Watching them chase after flying sweets with gleeful determination was a reminder of how joy can be found in the smallest moments. It doesn’t matter if you’re in between homes or navigating life’s uncertainties—sometimes, all you need is a handful of candy and a parade to remind you that right now is worth celebrating.

Resilience, in Rhinestones and Ridiculous Costumes

There’s something deeply symbolic about Carnival that resonates with me this year. At its core, it’s about transformation—for a few days, people become jesters, pirates, superheroes, and royalty. The ordinary world is turned upside down, and laughter becomes the rule.

Life, too, has a way of demanding transformation. Sometimes, the unexpected comes not from confetti and music, but from realizing that the things—or people—you trusted weren’t as solid as you thought. I’ve learned that keeping an eye on your own finances and is as essential as knowing where your house keys are (and who you share them with). Because while loving trust is beautiful, blind trust can be costly.

So, while we wait for our next chapter, we dance. We laugh. We embrace the noise, the candy, and the madness of it all. Because if there’s one thing Carnival teaches us, it’s this: Even in the middle of uncertainty, there is always a reason to celebrate.

And these last few days, that reason came wrapped in confetti and covered in chocolate.