CARNIVAL! (Oruro, Bolivia)

Erin Says:

In what I would consider a clutch GTD (Game Time Decision) at about midnight the night before leaving at 3am, Alyece and I decided to take a day trip to the Carnival in Oruro! (True Alyece and Erin Form!!) The whole thing was totally amazing but I´ll let Alyece give you the details of the celebration.

Alyece Says:

Oruro, one of Bolivia´s bigger towns, annually hosts the country´s most important and massive carnival. It started here in the 1700´s when a local thief was apprehended for stealing, and just before he was hanged, confessed that he had hid all the stolen items in a cave. When the people discovered the loot, they saw the image of the Candelaria Virgin, and miners began dressing as devils and dancing. This led to the annual celebration of dancers from various minority groups in the area: The Diablada (dance of the devils - formed by the butcher´s group, the Morenada (dance of the black people, or slaves - formed by the Coca leaf sellers), and the Incas (formed by the candle makers). Over the years the Oruro carnival grew in size and importance, it was declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001, and has now become one of the greatest carnivals in South America. In the past several decades, more minority groups have joined and thousands of people take part in the extensive parade of music and dance. The people march and dance for 30 city blocks (3km) and continue for 16 hours!

Erin and I were lucky to get the chance to see the festivities and feel the vibrant energy of the town. The stands were packed and the side streets were swarming with party-ers. The majority of the crowd was wearing ponchos or holding umbrellas, and not because it was raining (it was a beautiful day), but because carnival involves the excessive bombardment of water balloons and spray foam! The costumes were so bright and elaborate, the dancing was captivating and energetic, and the music had us moving and shaking. What a wicked day!

IMAGES FROM CARNIVAL!
(My fav pic of the day - courtesy of Alyece)(Very handsome and very good dancing boys...taking a well deserved break)(Alyece and My´s Canada Day costumes for next year)
(Locked and Loaded - Squirt Guns, Water Balloons and Foam Spray definitely in excess during Carnival)(The Carnival Beauty Queens)(Maybe these shoes should be the new style?)(These young boys were one of our favorite acts of Carnival, super talented, full of energy and Lovin´ it)(Totally Adorable! Too hot and too heavy, Dad carries the little girl´s head piece)(This little guy was WAY too cute)(In the splash zone, but dry and warm....One of us would stay that way)(Talked into some innocent fun?) (Trying to defend myself against the entire grandstand)(Defeated and Stunned...I guess the ¨Avoid contact with eyes¨ warning would be ignored during Carnival )(Bloodshot eyes are sexy) (One of the MANY culprits)(poor little niño....long long day for the kids)(I guess there was an upside to getting lost, without Alyece, in the craziness of Carnival...got some great up close shots)(The Lone Ranger leading the marching band...totally adorable and full of charisma too!)(.....And what Carnival would be complete without a giant Armadillo?)