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Raising the untraditional German May pole (Labor Day)...

Bavaria Mike

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Bavaria Germany
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Minelab XT70, Fisher 1280, Garrett Ace 250 and MH5
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
The Untraditional German May Day or Labor Day (May 1st) is taking place outside my apartment window, I have a front row seat. Here is where the tree will be raised. It is tradition to steal these trees and make the town beg for forgiveness involving some embarrassing offerings or near impossible feats. My very good friend had his stolen from their town in Erbendorf a few days ago, they have to bake a cake the full length of the tree, something like 33 meters long to get it back. Another town had theirs stolen and they have to provide 1000 liters of beer to the town that stole it. It is nearly a mission impossible to steal one of these trees but there have been several this year reported.
30Apr07maypole1.jpg

I had to go down to the street for the pictures as the sun was setting in the background. I say untraditional German May pole as this May pole is being raised by a crane. Of 21 years in Germany, I have never seen one raised by a crane, they are typically raised by hand, wo/man power and ropes. Note the crane in the background and that awesome blue sky that we have been suffering for weeks. We really need rain. I also noted the dirt patch in front of the tree here I was standing in, this is the town square where business took place for hundreds if not thousands of years. There is a prominent Celtic grave site just 200 meters from here.
30Apr07maypole2.jpg

May pole going up.
30Apr07maypole3.jpg

May pole raised and ready to be secured with wedges at the base.
30Apr07maypole4.jpg

Nice picture of the May pole and church in a silhouette view.
30Apr07maypole5.jpg

A nice aluminum pin commemorating German Labor Day 1 May 1936 under Hitler. I found this last year, have not cleaned it other than brushing with water.
30Apr07swas1936.jpg

Reverse of the pin. HH and I’m headed down to the party, they will be partying outside my bedroom window all night so I might as well join them, LOL! Mike
30Apr07swas1936R.jpg
 
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GREAT pictures and story Mike! Hope ya have lots a fun tonight!

Nana :)
 
Just addition to your story - brass pin commemorating German Labor Day 1 May 1934 under Hitler. I found it by eyes on the field last year :)

arbeit_tag1934.jpg

Nice post and photos,

HH
Sand
 
Bavaria Mike said:
HH and I’m headed down to the party, they will be partying outside my bedroom window all night so I might as well join them, LOL! Mike

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Party on!!!

Mike
 
I always wondered about those poles. We have some protests off post today, so I'm staying on base. This lack of rain has been hell on my digging tools. Well, enjoy yourself and drink plenty of the German "softdrink" :P
 
Very interesting post Mike, to see how others live and celebrate, thanks!
Nice token/pin, love that one! Congrats!

Smiles!
BDoo
 
Interesting Mike. You find a lot of different stuff over there. Much more variety than we have in the states.

When you coming home for a visit....this summer?

Bob
 
One day I'll just faint when I pull up your thread and find that all you dug was a U.S. Memorial cent ;D

Oh to be over there!

Great stuff as always.

Badger
 
Michigan Badger said:
One day I'll just faint when I pull up your thread and find that all you dug was a U.S. Memorial cent ;D

Oh to be over there!

Great stuff as always.

Badger

I'm still waiting for him to find an intact Fw-190 or a Tiger tank. :)

Mike
 
Nice story and pictures. Thanks for posting, I always enjoy you posts. Wish I was back in Stuttgart, taking those Sunday Walks in the woods, only this time I'd be taking along a detector for that Brew and Brat!

HH, Ringfinder
 

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