CARNAVAL!!!

This past weekend we had our first Carnaval experience! Barranquilla, a city further northwest on the Colombian coast, is famous for this Caribbean cultural festival. For the entire month of February the city hosts party events and parades. This weekend (approximately 40 days before Easter) was the biggest and most outrageous and held the main events, including La Batalla de las Flores, or the Parade of Flowers.

Our friend, Oscar, and his family graciously hosted us with the other six Santa Ana volunteers (plus one from Cartagena). Oscar and his girlfriend, Mirna, showed us around and taught us the proper way to celebrate Carnaval. On Friday night, they took us to the Aguila Festival, which was in a huge stadium and showed the local soccer game on big screens. There was great live salsa music and in Colombia, where there is music there is always dancing. They were also kind enough to introduce us to the local tradition of covering fellow revelers in corn flour when they least expect it.

 

Saturday we woke up around 5:45 a.m. and claimed our spot for the parade, which was an exciting display of vibrant colors, live music, dancing, exquisite costumes and beautiful people. Afterwards we walked to Mirna’s tia’s house, where several brave volunteers (including Micah) enjoyed traditional Mondongo Soup (cow intestines), which was delicious. Later that night, while Oscar and Mirna were at the Marc Anthony concert, we met up with other WorldTeach volunteers living in Barranquilla, as well as others visiting from Bogotá and Montería, for dinner and drinks (thanks again M.R. and David!).

It was a great night, but felt a little strange to have a choice of restaurants and clubs to patron. Any kind of food or drink we could want within a few blocks. Guess we are taking to the island lifestyle quicker than we thought we would. After only 1 month in Santa Ana we are learning how little we really need in order to be happy and live comfortably. 

Overall, we had an amazing weekend learning about and celebrating coastal Colombian culture. We were impressed by the city of Barranquilla and we are forever grateful for the hospitality of the Ruiz family.