Judy. You may recall that we were in Cádiz, Spain several years ago for Carnaval, the Mardi Gras-type celebration before Lent. The streets were packed with singing groups satirizing the government, and with people in costume. It was great fun, even if one didn’t understand what was being sung!
Málaga, too, has a Carnaval, perhaps not as well known, but colorful and crazy, nonetheless. Living a twenty-minute walk from Calle Larios and Plaza de la Constitución, where most of it took place meant we weren’t as much a part of it, but we sure saw enough to have a great time.
There are parades and singing groups and a lot of beer, yet it still has a family flavor.
On Sunday afternoon we went down to see the second parade, filled with groups dressed in all kinds of costumes, and with the contestants for god and goddess of Carnaval, which were chosen the night before. EVERYONE seemed to be involved, and the fancy floats were actually pulled by the contestants as they walked the parade route! Once again, people dressed in costume—especially kids.
Interestingly, Carnaval goes right past Ash Wednesday, with another parade on Saturday—“The Battle of the Flowers”, where the “battle” consists of throwing confetti at each other. It’s great fun—a guy got me good when he fist-bumped me and threw confetti all over me!
On Sunday evening, everything ends with a huge fried anchovy which is shared with anyone who wants to show up, then a funeral parade complete with mourners carries another huge anchovy to the beach, where it’s burned in a bonfire to mark the very sad ending of Carnaval. Sadly, we arrived too late to witness that.
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| Seeing Double Snow Whites |
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| Little Leo gets his photo made with Mickey |
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| Battle of the Flowers begins! |
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| The evening ends with a Drag Queen show |
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| Casualty of the Battle! |
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