Tuesday, March 12, 2013

CARNAVAL PARADE

A variety of Baja motorcycle groups started off the Carnaval Parade.

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After balloons and masks were bought, food consumed, and rides ridden, it was time for the real celebration of Carnaval, the PARADE. Families started gradually moving away from booths and began gathering along the side of the streets. We followed along. Down the street, we heard and then saw, an entourage of Harley Davidsons to Hondas announcing the start of an endless procession of fantastic floats and dancing girls. The FUN begins. Tuba, accordion, mariachi, and rock ‘n roll music blares from all directions of the city. The people of Ensenada are feeling festive, Sarah included.

The pageantry exemplifies Mexico’s love for dramatic-over-the-top brilliant and screamingly loud colors. The crowd cheers and the street comes alive in a whirl of excitement. The floats - powered by huge mack tracks - carry costumed characters of all ages throwing confetti eggs and candy to eager children and expectant adults! 

The Princess of Ensenada
The King and Queen of Carnaval

One of the first floats presented the Princess of Ensenada. Dressed in a sparkly pink satin gown, she waved and blew kisses to her many admirers. Regal in a golden cart, the reigning King and Queen of Carnaval, followed close behind the Princess. The next float had a variety of bejeweled Aztec Princesses and Warriors standing solemn and obviously proud of their heritage. The women of Mexico - regardless of their regional heritage or the occasion- are gorgeous. During festivals in particular, their carefully applied make-up and elaborate gowns extenuate their natural beauty. Darrell and I are often stunned by their style, grace, and glamour.

Looking almost like Vegas showgirls, 
the Aztec women were beautiful.
 The Spanish heritage was represented on this float. 

Too cute for words.
Several floats had gingerbread houses with toys larger than the happy children they carried. Troops of students from the Institute of Oceanography dressed as sea creatures marched by. Close behind more university students dressed as leopard-skinned feathered birds with head pieces fashioned as huge beaks danced wildly to the rhythm of beating drums. Almost on cue, the popular Day of the Dead Skeletons procession began. Then more dancers, more floats, on and on it went, each more colorful than the last.

Happy Colors, Happy Dancers

Happy University Students participated to the fullest.
The church, sombreros, and tubas are ever present at any festival.
More Happy Colors and Beautiful Women.
No parade is complete without a Day of the Dead Skeleton. 


After a couple of hours it seemed things were winding down, so we started heading home, only to turn the corner to see many, many more floats and dancers stretching down several blocks. For us, the parade was over, and we continued back to the quietness of Marina Coral. Later we learned that the parade in its entirety would repeat for the next 3 days!

This country knows how to party!

Viva Mexico!   

God Bless America too!





1 comment:

  1. Missed Carnaval this year, but will make the next one for sure! It looked so perfect, blue skies and colorful people, two of my favorite things. You look pretty darn good on that bike missy!

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