Turns out the PSO is in Cologne for the beginning of its annual pre-Lenten Carnival. In fact, we were here for the ceremonial beginning of it: at 11:11 a.m. today in the Alter Markt, or Old Town Square, the Three Mad Days were officially declared to have begun. People were in great spirits despite the nippy weather and adorned in festive costumes.

It was pretty shocking to go from last night's concert at the Cologne Philharmonie, in which the audience was dressed to the hilt, and then see the town the next morning.

Today the Cologne Carnival was more of a party to get ready for the more spectacular events and parades coming up on subsequent days, so the costumes were not outlandish, but fun. There was plenty of singing and dancing, sort of similar to Oktoberfest with plenty of brats, beers and bathrooms (portable ones, that is).