Groups of young people having some sort of small parades with weird and colorful outfits around the Grand Place and seek for attentions.
But this is not a carnival, it's a pre-wedding activity.
In Belgium, there's a unique tradition before a couple got married. The bachelor/ bachelorette party planned by friends or relatives of the bride or groom, and the details are kept a secret. One of the first rules of a Belgium-based bash is that the person to be married has to wear a silly costume so that they are easily recognized: think men in diapers, French maids, Hawaiian luaus and the ever-popular, men dressed as women and women dressed as men. Other local traditions including forcing the bachelor and bachelorette to do a number of embarrassing tasks which resemble a treasure hunt or a game show but aim to prove he or she will be a good husband or wife. But all mortifying behavior is kept a secret from their future partner, as these celebrations are almost always kept separate.
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| Pre-wedding activity |
If you happen to be in Mons and caught by these groups, don't panic. They will normally ask you something. This is not scam, so don't worry. It's actually really fun.
A bride to be gave me a lollipop because she found out that I married my Prince Charming. Other time a groom to be came to Prince Charming and asked if he's married. He asked for advices, and my Prince Charming only said: bonne chance! (good luck) instead of félicitations! (congrats).
The guy left him with worried face, didn't give any candies *hopefully he's still sure on his plan.
There was a time we felt a bit annoyed when approached by a group of young women.
They were of course very excited getting lots of attention in one hot Saturday afternoon around the shopping street.
One of the them suddenly came to us and talked real fast.
We got the point when she pointed a basket full of old mugs and asked us for money. So it's more like a donation.
And the woman insisted that we could give any amount of money.
We're not interested.
And somehow she translated the look in our face that we didn't understand French at all.
Then the bride to be took charge and tried to explain in English (which we didn't understand).
And again, we gave them look of disapproval and walked away to a nearby stall and buy a glass of Granita.
That woman came to me within seconds and shout: "Pas français, ha!".
Felt a bit pissed.. we didn't tell her that we don't speak or don't understand French.
But oh well.. maybe they're having too much fun.
There was a time we felt a bit annoyed when approached by a group of young women.
They were of course very excited getting lots of attention in one hot Saturday afternoon around the shopping street.
One of the them suddenly came to us and talked real fast.
We got the point when she pointed a basket full of old mugs and asked us for money. So it's more like a donation.
And the woman insisted that we could give any amount of money.
We're not interested.
And somehow she translated the look in our face that we didn't understand French at all.
Then the bride to be took charge and tried to explain in English (which we didn't understand).
And again, we gave them look of disapproval and walked away to a nearby stall and buy a glass of Granita.
That woman came to me within seconds and shout: "Pas français, ha!".
Felt a bit pissed.. we didn't tell her that we don't speak or don't understand French.
But oh well.. maybe they're having too much fun.
The wedding usually takes place in Hôtel de Ville.
On that very special day, I love to watch the brides in action. What dresses they're wearing and what is the theme of the wedding.
I saw a couple rent a classic double decker (which happened to be a bar) and parked at the Grand Place for their guests to mingle after the ceremony.
One thing not to be missed by the new couples, of course.. stroke the monkey's head for good luck.
After that, along with friends, families and relatives, they will parade with their cars around town. It can be distinguished from ribbons and simple ornaments placed on the vehicles. Then they will blow the horns loudly along the way, like a statement.
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| So much love in here... |
So if suddenly hear a loud noise around Mons, don't feel annoyed. It probably means that a couple just got married.