Kohlfahrt
Friday was my first Kohlfahrt (cabbage trip), a peculiar north German tradition that involves a lot of alcohol and a lot of food. It was good fun but I had to restrict my drinking due to the fact it was a work Kohlfahrt. And all the ingredients for a Kohlfahrt where there, step 1 especially.
How to make a Kohlfahrt
Step 1: Make sure it is cold outside.
Step 2: Book a table at a restaurant that has traditional north German food; Gruenkohl (green cabbage), Pinkle (Germany´s answer to haggis), Speck (bacon... half an inch thick) and of course Kartoffeln (potatoes).
Step 3: Meet at a point a long way from the restaurant, everyone bringing a bottle of schnapps and a shot glass with a handle (and string to make the shot glass a necklace).
Step 4: Drink shots every 5 minutes or at every street sign, whichever comes first.
Every weekend in winter Kohlfahrts can be seen all over the countryside, made conspicuous by a group of drunk people dragging a cart full of alcohol, stopping traffic at will. I was surprised by the lack of anger or even lack of reaction from drivers brought to a crawl while the Kohlfahrts slowly part to allow the drivers through. Only a tradition, and the empathy of reminiscent drivers could dull the frustration. So now i wont be annoyed by the merry Kohlfahrters when I go about my sober duties.
This is a tradition I plan to implement in Melbourne... Look out.
How to make a Kohlfahrt
Step 1: Make sure it is cold outside.
Step 2: Book a table at a restaurant that has traditional north German food; Gruenkohl (green cabbage), Pinkle (Germany´s answer to haggis), Speck (bacon... half an inch thick) and of course Kartoffeln (potatoes).
Step 3: Meet at a point a long way from the restaurant, everyone bringing a bottle of schnapps and a shot glass with a handle (and string to make the shot glass a necklace).
Step 4: Drink shots every 5 minutes or at every street sign, whichever comes first.
Every weekend in winter Kohlfahrts can be seen all over the countryside, made conspicuous by a group of drunk people dragging a cart full of alcohol, stopping traffic at will. I was surprised by the lack of anger or even lack of reaction from drivers brought to a crawl while the Kohlfahrts slowly part to allow the drivers through. Only a tradition, and the empathy of reminiscent drivers could dull the frustration. So now i wont be annoyed by the merry Kohlfahrters when I go about my sober duties.
This is a tradition I plan to implement in Melbourne... Look out.
posted by David at 2:31 AM
1 Comments:
Bring it on!!! Melbourne can surely use such a wonderful tradition... or do we already have somethign similar? i forget??
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