Where the market use to it yesterday on the streets is now where the festival is. Officially we were suppose to pay to get seats on the bleachers for carnaval but somehow we found seats on the front row that were empty and we just settled there for nothing. Saved over 100bolviano each.
Front row meant we were in the middle of all the madness. During any break where there was a gap between the marches, there was an all out war. It was one side of the street against the other. Dozens of water balloons flying from across the street. Our only choice was to fight back which probably made it worse. Since we were in the front row, we were more prune to get hit and believe me we did. I’m soaked in water. What topped it all off was spray cans of foam. We were sprayed at a lot. We bought a few cans ourselves and got anyone in sight. What was funny is spraying someone from behind and as they turn around just put the can away and theyre covered in white foam and confusion. Its expected so much that most people buy panchos to not get their clothes wet. I had tons of fun throwing water balloons and foaming random people.
The dances, music, costumes, and of course the girls were all fantastic. The dances were very repetitive but it made sense with the music. Looked to be a traditional dance the Indianian of Bolivia would do. The music had a drummy tribal sound to it. All the bands played songs the locals knew. Chanting and singing from the beat as they all knew the lyrics to whatever song being played made for an amazing atmosphere. Though i didn’t know any of the lyrics, i clapped and got excited with them. We even talked to a few people sitting around us who most were from Bolivia. The costumes the dancers would wear were crazy. All custom made and beautiful. Their were costumes of devils, angels, strange animals, and who knows what else. I think my camera broke because it kept taking pictures of the girls dressed up. Hmm.
After several several beers, soaked, and covered in white – we couldn’t handle anymore. For hours it seemed more and more marches kept coming in never ending. Time to call it a day. These Bolivians take Carnaval to a whole different level you cant even imagine.
