(Carnaval is basically a carnival with traditional music and dance and fun. The carnival in Barranquilla is the second largest in the world!)
We left Cartagena and got a comfortable bus to an incredible hotel. Word from the wise: if you ever go to Carnaval, book your hotel months in advance.
A week ahead left us with $100 rooms. It turned out fine as the staff was incredible and even gave us an extra room for free because we couldn't really fit in three. It also came with a huge, hot breakfast and wifi. What more could we want?
After some confusion and frustration being told the only credit card we had wouldn't work (it did) we headed to our rooms. We walked around town a bit, relaxed a bit, got some food, and...I got smooched at by a girl. We walked past some drunk girls on a corner, they seemed way too interested in us, but we ignored them. The rest of the group went by and the girls crawled all over our boys before grabbing their privates and grabbing one guy's phone. He grabbed her arm and got it back and she yelled he was stealing her phone before running away. We realized then how sketchy the town was and how careful we had to be, surrounded by so many people. Lesson one: no valuables.
Shorty after, we went out for some drinks and dancing. Somehow I met a couple of drunk Colombians who attached themselves to me. One guy in particular was pretty (drunk) friendly, and we were talking and then he said something in Spanish I couldn't understand an so I just replied si, si, and he quickly leaned in to kiss me. I then realized he asked something about kissing Colombiano. We laughed it off as miscommunication. Lesson two: don't agree unless you know what you're agreeing to.
The rest of the night was mostly Uneventful, but fun as my volunteer group danced the night away together.
The next morning, Saturday, we headed out early. I have never seen so many taxis! Traffic was crazy as everyone worked their way to Carnaval. Along the road, there were vendors and tons of people dressed up in costumes and colors.
At a stoplight, a boy covered in black paint stood by the taxi window mouthing "one" and making the drinking action. We didn't understand.
The taxi dropped us as close as possible, which wasn't close at all because of the people and closed roads. I have never seen an entire city shut down to party before.
We made our way down to the parade route where hundreds of people were gathering. Tents were set up along the road and vendors had stands with food, clothes, masks, and cans of...foam?
We walked around for a bit, pressing our way through the masses while holding on to the person in front of us so we wouldn't loose our group. We looked for a place to sit, but everywhere was packed, or cost $30-$100 to sit there. We finally found enough chairs under a tent for only $7 each. We took them, and sat to wait for the two hours until parade time.
As we sat, people walked by yelling that they had water, beer, and chips. There was so much noise, so many people, so many colors, so much music. Sensory overload.
Then, out of nowhere, the fun began as the cans of foam started unloading. It was a riot as kids and teen boys targeted the foreigners.
At first we tried to fight it, to hide behind people, but it was pointless. We finally learned lesson tree: embrace the foam.
So we joined in and took handfuls off of ourselves and threw it back. It definitely didn't take long to understand why everyone said to wear clothes you didn't really care about!
Overhead, the tent tops were pulled back and put away so we could see.
Huge jets zoomed by and a helicopter with camera men hovered above us.
Soon, the parade started.
Everyone stood on their chairs to see better - colorful decorated floats with loud music and groups of dancers went by, encouraging cheers, dancing, and more foam. (Luckily, it smelled good and dried quickly.)
Some of the dancers had huge costumes with colorful face paint and feathered head dresses, and neary no clothes...
...and others wore traditional Colombian dress and played drums and flutes while moving to traditional music.
The same events went on more or less for hours. Dancers and music an foam and crowded people and paying for bathrooms.
Half our group finally decided to leave, and the four faithful partiers, Lili, Juan, Irfan, and I stayed longer...
...pretty much all we experienced that the others didn't, was being "welcomed" to Barranquilla by some guys rubbing chalk all over our face and hair. I convinced the boy to give me some and then...chalk fight anyone? :)
Long story short, the party continued all night with salsa dancing! Real live salsa dancing! Colombia is all about salsa, and I was fortunate enough to meet two sweet brothers who patiently taught me the basics.
...and getting chalk and foam out of your hair is rediculous.
Sunday was more of the same, and lesson four learned: Guavabanana! A sweet street vender stopped and said hi as I was sitting outside the hotel. He gave me a cup of creamy, milky, sweet liquid and a chunk of the fruit to try. Indescribable, but so good, and it made my day! :)
The ride back was uneventful - after we finally found one. One bus station had no buses to Cartagena, and the other had a line all the way through the station and out the door. We managed to barter with a few taxi drivers, and got back for $25 (compared to $9 on the bus.)
Mann it was good to be home. I am still trying to recover from the action and sleepless nights. It was definitely well worth it! (:
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