Carnaval!

A week long celebration to kick off the Lent season

Fireworks in Plaza de la Catedral in Oviedo

Imagine Mardi Gras in the States, then multiply that by 100 and you've got Carnaval in Spain. Carnaval is a week long celebration here in Asturias and it marks the beginning of the Lent season. Each city in Asturias has a specific night to host a big event. From foam to parades, the entire experience was AMAZING!

_{Posing for a picture with my friend in our costumes}

The celebration began in the town of Aviles, which is known for the espuma (foam). The streets are filled with foam, and foam is sprayed over crowds of people who are running the streets in rain suits. Little kids go sliding through the streets. It reminded me of slip-n-slide from when I was a kid, except on a huge scale.

^{Foam being sprayed over the crowd in Aviles}

The second night was in Gijon, a beach town outside of Oviedo. There is a carnival, street acts, and an enormous gathering in the plaza. Everyone is dressed up! Some of the costumes included groups of futbolistas (soccer players), Minnie Mouse, Tarzan and Jane, little red riding hood, bullfighters, and some many more

                        ^{In our masks during Carnaval in Giojn}

Carnaval wraps up in Oviedo with two days of parades and activities. The first night is for children: All the little kids get dressed up in their costumes and go to musicals, face painting, parades, etc. One of my favorite parts of Carnaval was seeing all  the little kids in their costumes. They were all absolutely adorable, even the little babies were dressed up! The second night of Carnaval is when Oviedo has the big city wide parade. The parade is reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil, with people on stilts, fireworks, acrobats and huge floats. All the street acts from the parade join together at the end of the parade in the Plaza de la Catedral, throwing fire, lighting fireworks, and dancing while a live band plays on the big stage.

Carnaval was a once in lifetime experience and I am so glad that I got to be in Spain for it. It was a long week of festivities, and now its time to wind down and enjoy some more of the relaxing Spanish lifestyle.

_{Crazy street performer in Oviedo parade}