DE-12377797 & DE-12377737

 Still in Germany but with different views and different states.

DE-12377797, sent by Alexandra. 

Beautiful views from Föhr, one of the North Frisian Islands on the German coast of the North Sea. It is part of the Nordfriesland district in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. Föhr is the second-largest North Sea island of Germany and a popular destination for tourists. - in: wikipedia

 

Foto: mein-tegernsee.de

DE-12377737, sent by Norbert. 

Postcards are a great way to learn about traditions. A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals. In Germany, this tradition goes back to the 16th century and is particularly popular in the south of the country. 

"Maibaum" a maypole, is a tall wooden pole made from a tree trunk (pine or birch), adorned with colorful ribbons, flowers, carved figures, and various other decorations, depending on regional customs. The chosen tree must be trimmed, smoothed, and painted before it is ceremoniously raised in a prominent spot, usually the town or market square  on either the 30th of April or the 1st of May. In Bavaria, the Maypoles are usually white and blue stripes, symbolizing the Bavarian flag. 

Hoisting a Maypole is properly done by manpower, helped by ropes and wooden poles for support. For safety and other reasons, in larger cities tractors and cranes are used, but purists consider that cheating.