Krampus II

Christmas is coming... how can I tell? 

Because Devil masks are for sale at all the shops... 

Krampus has returned!

The mythical creature that accompanies good St Nicholas, and punishes the bad little children is back. Last year, it was snowing and freezing cold so we didn't go out to see the traditional Krampus festivities that occur in many villages throughout Tirol, but this year it has been warm and the village next to ours was having a Krampus party, so we went on over to check it out. 

It did not disappoint. The village was crawling with these sinister beasts, whipping at the ankles of passerby and growling. Traditionally the masks are hand carved from wood, they wear large bells, and formidable hairy coats:

But some of the masks are have a modern flavor and are a bit more disturbing. This isn't a face I would want to wake up to in the morning:

And, as Ben and I are running for "Parents of the Year", we took our toddler along. This was her basic impression:

Stone cold.

She's a tough little hellcat.

A couple of times a Krampus would come by and shake her hand with his big hairy claws. She obliged, but warily. But, there weren't any tears. And this makes sitting on Jolly Old Santa's lap a piece of cake.

Still, I have a hunch we will be sleeping with a scared tot for the next month. You reap what you sow.

Then, as if the night could not get any more bizarre, we bought the world's longest hot dog.

Merry Christmas!

PS. For a look at how they do things in Switzerland, read this.

And some great information about celebrations throughout Europe, check out this post.