Carnaval: Costumes, Candy, CHAOS

This weekend marked the celebration of Carnaval in Alicante. Carnaval is celebrated all over Europe. I’m not completely sure about the background (I’ll get back to you on that) but I know it has to do with the beginning of lent and basically going crazy before lent begins. And go crazy we did.

Carnaval was definitely one of the most insane things I’ve ever experienced. Think Halloween in College Park times a million, plus Obama-inauguration sized crowds, plus live music and lots, and lots, and LOTS of alcohol. Then multiply whatever expectation you have in your head, times 100, and then you might be close to the craziness of Carnaval.

There were lots of celebrations leading up to Carnaval – a few parades seemed to keep popping up on the street outside my apartment, and lots of specials at the bars. The main night out was Saturday, where everyone dresses up in crazy costumes and hits the streets. The streets were packed full of people partying and going crazy and I saw some awesome costumes. Lots of people dressed as facebook, lots and LOTS of men dressed as women, but lots of other really creative and original ones. I’ll have to go around and copy some of my friend’s pictures because I didn’t get too many good ones.

Most of my friends went the simple route and just got masks (we are on a budget over here) and that worked out really well. Bianca and I got feather masks and boas and were birds. Taylor M was a black swan and Taylor R was a butterfly. We all did a pretty good job finding cheap costumes that turned out really cute!

Carnaval evening we started with a little pre-game/dinner party at our apartment. We invited our Spanish friend, Jose over and he brought 6 of his guy friends. I made chili and pizza, and we had lots of delicious bread, cheese, fruit and veggies with dinner. The guys seemed to like the chili even though it was a little too spicy (oops … Spaniards do NOT like spicy food!) We pre-gamed and played games in the apartment until around midnight and finally headed out to brave the crowds.

The set-up for carnaval was so much more than I expected. On the Rambla (one of the main streets leading down to the beach) there were 2 live street concerts with a full stage, a catwalk set up so people could show off their costumes and tons and tons of street vendors selling churros, bunuelos (like funnel cake balls) and all kinds of candy). We made our way down la rambla and went ot check out the port and the beach. The beach was so crowded you could barely see the sand in some places and the port was packed as well. Every single street was shut down and wall-wall with people. It was so cool. Alicante obviously knows what they are doing because in the weeks leading up to Carnaval, they began fencing off fountains, boarding up some windows, etc. College park should take notes.

It was impossible to stay in large groups so despite our efforts I quickly got separates from most of the group and spent the rest of the night wandering the streets with Corey and Bianca. After many hours of craziness I eventually made it back to my apartment safely - and with all my belongings (right down the feather that fell off my mask). I was pleased with myself! 

Despite being sick Friday and most of the day Saturday I had an awesome Carnaval! I slept most of the day Friday and Saturday to make myself better, then I was able to spend all of Sunday in bed recovering more. I’m finally feeling a lot better finally! Thursday I am off to Brussels and Amsterdam with Corey and Lizzy. Its my first weekend trip completely organized by me and my friends (Barcelona was with the help of my aunts and Granada was through USAC) so I’m excited to see how it turns out. Brussels in known for waffles, chocolate and beer.. so what’s not to love???

PS. My internet is crappy right now but I'll add some more Carnaval pics to this post when I am able to upload them!

pps. I am giving up Diet Coke for lent .. stay tuned on how that goes!