Easter Traditions

[Odin]

So, here is some info on Easter Traditions over here. Please chime in and teach me about yours. The great thing about an international forum is we can travel the world in just one thread.

Easter is called "Pasen" in Holland. Originally, it is a fertility fest. Spring comming, animals giving birth, seeds going into the ground again. That kinda stuff. Bonfires were normal and people would dance around them and make love afterwards (to anyone!). That was like 2,000 years ago. Now, in the eastern parts of Holland we still have the bonfires. Some reaching up to 40 metres in hight (the wood pile, that is). Nowadays people sing and drink and that is it.

Also we have a tradition of eggs. With the kidss. The so called Easter Bunny (a hear actually) walks around with a basket full of eggs. He puts them here & there, and on the morning of the first day of Easter the kids go out to seek them. Followed by a brunch in which eggs play a major role. And so does chocolate. The eggs & chocolate still have strong connections to the original "fertility" fest Easter was.

In Hungary (my wife is Hungarian), the men go out of the house together and visit as many other houses. Since men are out there too, you just find the women at home. The women ar sang to and sprayed with Eau de Cologne. The men get a glass of white wine, a glass of home made Pálinka (55%) and some food.

We are in Holland now, but I have been in Hungary on like 4 or 5 Easter parties. We normally visited like 20 to 25 families in one morning. I was happy to volunteer as the driver, but even then my father in law, who is the family boss, top dog, capi di tuti capi, would take another round, by foot, just to get me drunk. Another like 15 families to visit, 15 wines and 15 Pálinkas to be drunk before noon. WTF?

Actually, I am glad to be in Holland now! Just ate some eggs & chocolate. Will be off to the zoo soon.

Odin.