Revellers descended Thursday on the traditional strongholds of German Carnival culture, Dusseldorf and Cologne, for a raucous days-long party ahead of Ash Wednesday and the start of the Christian season of Lent. Although the weather was overcast and rainy, clowns, Batmans and polar bears celebrated with wet confetti and rain capes over their costumes, while a few drinks were also included. The festivities began at the traditional time of 11:11 am (1011 GMT), as a group of women known as the Möhn