Carnaval: Confetti, Masks and Friends

Hi Folkies!!

So I just got back from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, where I was at the annual international (world's 4th largest) Carnaval!!

I took the 9 hour bus ride on Friday night, and got there Saturday morning ridiculously early. I went to Sonia's house (one of the exchange students from the States), and just passed out for a few more hours. Then, after breakfast, Rosemary(Canada) came over with Lilian(Switzerland) and a new exchanger, Niki (Australia). Sonia and Niki went to get their hair done, because they, along with a few more girls (Japan, and France) were Beauty Queens ! Apparently they always use the exchange students that live in Mazatlan as Queens because it's just so convenient. haha. But there were also actually Beauty Queens: Honduras, Hawaii, Miss Teen USA apparently, some other ones, and they vote for a Queen of the whole carnival as well.

That night we went out with ALL the exchange students that were there. SO many of us were in Maz for the Carnival, it was great to see them again!

The next day the new exchangers, Greg(Australia), Mitch(New Zealand), Lili, Rosemary and I went to the beach. The sand in Mazatlan is so much clearer that the sand in Vallarta. All white and smooth. And the ocean is more... wavey, because it's not in a bay. But the ocean was still cold, because it is, after all, still technically winter.

That night was the night of the parade. THAT was awesome! The floats were giant, with huge statues and displays; loud music, confetti flying all over the place, dancers, queens waving from their floats, people walking on stilts.... magic i tell ya' !! I bought myself a little crown with flashing lights in it, and a glittery black and blue mask, but stuck with the princess crown... walking around at night is safer when you have 100% vision.

After that, Greg, Lili, Rosemary, Mitch, Niki and I went to a taco place/restaurant-thing. It was really great actually, just to sit and visit(and all of us being actual english speakers - other than Lili who does speak it, but who's first language is german). Talking to NEW exchangies makes me realize how far OUR exchange generation has come. Really incredible...

The next day was get-ready-to-go-home day. Basically just kept hanging out with people, then went out to see fireworks at night time, then Rosemary and I walked to the bus station that was 3 blocks away. That was a little awkward, because obviously the streets were FULL of people for the fireworks, and we were walking around with our little rolling suitcases, haha.

Got to the bus station at 10 so Rosemary could take the 10:30 bus. Mine didn't leave until 12:45, so there was a lot of iPod listening-ness going on until then.

All in all, it was a VERY good weekend. I am always glad to see the other exchangers, and who doesn't like parties in the mexican streets? haha

AND if you didn't already know :::



June 25th is the magic day !! Until then, love love !!

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