...after Carnaval

That's how most of our statements end during Carnaval.

Carnaval, as much fun as it is really puts a damper on many regular activities. The parade route is barricaded along the sides, and most cross streets are closed off. The parade route includes a major portion of the route you must take to cross Paseo de Montejo, a major street for going North or South here. So inevitably you'll hear people saying they are going to do things, or go somewhere...after Carnaval.

This years Carnaval theme is/was Un Carnaval de Pelicula aka movies; so many of the costumes and floats were movie themes. Today is the final parade "la batalla de las flores", "the battle of the flowers", it will be the most well attended. And tonight after the parade the street parties will be longer and a bit more rowdy than the other nights. Tomorrow they will burn Juan Carnaval at the Municipal Building and then Carnaval will be over for another year.

We attended the Regional parade last night, after a happy hour at friends. The desfile Regional is always one of my favorites. All the traditional costuming and dance with just enough of the jiggly girls and throwing of stuff into the crowd. Friends had purchased 'palco's' for many of the parades, and included varying groups of friends to sit with them on different evenings. Palcos are groups of 8 assigned seats, in prominent locations along the parade route.

I took pictures and will offer a brief glimpse -