UK Chancellor Alistair Darling at Fasching in Innsbruck?
February 22nd, 2009 by matt
Whilst waiting for a ski bus today I came across the visiting UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, minding his business and enjoying the festivities that Fasching in Innsbruck offers with a close friend. The facial hair was a dead give-away. He skipped the day skiing to partake in the local festival – a poor choice since the recent days of snow meant conditions were excellent.
Alistair Darling over to test the € - image © skiingaustria.co.uk
Or is it Buddy King from American Beauty!!??
Ah, maybe – Buddy King, the King of Real Estate. “In order to be successful, one must project an image of success at all times.” Well said Buddy, although Buddy yesterday was more content to shriek and pour schnapps down my neck.
Fasching is remarkable spectacle…I have experienced it first hand and have lived to tell the tale. When living in America for a few years I took a quick trip to the Tyrol….I was catapulted from tame and civilised apres ski to an experience that had more to do with the eccentricities that I missed so much when away from Europe than I could imagine.
Later I actualy got caught up in another Fasching event in a farm town and my wife was regrettably at my side. She being young American and trusting found the experience to be similar to ’spring break teen party times a thousand with cross dressing encouraged’ She was very amused, though I was a little concerned when a male dressed as a female wearing a pigs head tried to abduct her…luckily he gave up and carried on drinking.
Yes Faching is a smörgåsbord of alcohol-fueled eccentricity, the Austrian culture continually confuses and never more so at Fasching time. In our village the festivities run each Thursday of the month in the weeks preceding Fasching Tuesday so this mayhem is a regular thing - it really is hard to beat and is a great variation on the traditional apres ski scene.