PICTURE OF THE DAY : COLORFUL PARADES, JOYFUL CROWDS, AND SWEET TREATS – THIS IS CARNIVAL IN GERMANY. THE HEART OF THE CELEBRATIONS BEATS IN THE RHINE REGION, ESPECIALLY IN CITIES LIKE COLOGNE, DÜSSELDORF, AND MAINZ, BUT CARNIVAL TRADITIONS ALSO SHAPE PARTS OF SOUTHERN GERMANY AND BAVARIA. FROM LIVELY STREET PARADES TO CLASSIC TREATS LIKE BERLINER – SOFT DOUGHNUTS FILLED WITH JAM AND DUSTED WITH POWDERED SUGAR – CARNIVAL SEASON IS ALL ABOUT MUSIC, COSTUMES, AND SHARED MOMENTS OF JOY. ( PHOTO COURTESY – GERMANY TOURISM)