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Published: January 25th 2009
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Starting off the show...
Shes kind of making an odd face in this photo, but somehow, I think I can forgive her. We set out from our hostel at 7 a.m. from Punta del Este not entirely sure how we were going to make it over to Gualeguachu. Of course, nearly all the other passengers on the local bus are absolutely tanked, blown out of their skulls, finding their way back home just leaving the bars. Some were a bit ridiculous, one girl was complaining to the entire bus about the inefficient size of her male friend´s genitalial, with him right next to her. After everyone told her to shut up, she started complaining that all the other males on the bus were too small as well. Then a fight broke out and the Uruguayan marine in the back of the bus jumped up and started yelling at people. He was also, oddly, carrying a sword. I almost expected him to whip it out and start slashing people, but luckily we made it to the bus station without any blood shed. It was an interesting beginning to a ridiculous journey.
The next bus took us to Montevideo where we were hoping to jump a bus to Gualeguachu. However, due to some disagreements about paper mills in Uruguay, they have shut down that
border crossing. We had to head up to the city of Paysandu a few hours north of where we wanted. So, after sitting around at the MVD bus station and then sitting on the next bus for several hours, we had to wait a few hours more for the next bus over the border. While none of it was too painful, it took us over 15 hours to make it into Argentina. However, when we did show up at 10 p.m., we found out that the 1:40 a.m. bus to Gualeguachu was full. (Who the heck is taking that bus besides some stranded tourists was the second thing I said, you can guess the first with the hint that it was four letters, started with an F, and rhymed with puck.) So, we ate some food, did a quick bit of interneting, then curled up on the few benches we could find in the station. We all managed a minimal amount of sleep, Burton more than the rest providing entertainment for all by his loud snoring, until the police shook us at 5 a.m. saying we couldn´t sleep there. No problems though, as we waited out the rest of the
Opening dancer
This lovely peacock led off the parade morning for our 7:40 bus. Of course, this one doesn´t show up on time. As we are waiting around, we are approached by a large group of extremely drunk girls heading to Gualeguachu as well. They came up for a foam party the night before and are still going strong, offering us their bottle of vodka. We weren´t exactly looking for a morning drink at that time, but had a hilarious conversation nonetheless and they gave us some tips on where to go once we got to town. Finally, 26 hours after we set off, the bus showed up. A few hours later we were in town and the search for a place to stay began. It was a journey, through and through...
As for Carnaval, I´ll let the photos speak for themselves. Only two things of note:
There was a rain delay. The show was supposed to start at 10 on Saturday night. Tons of people had traveled to Gualeguachu from Buenos Aires for the show, but at 8:30 that night a tremendous storm hit. There was torrential rain for the next hour and a half. The streets were flooded with ankle deep water and there was
constant thunder. It was intense. There was no way for them to hold the show that evening, so it was rescheduled for the next night. However, most of the people weren´t able to attend so the performance we saw had many fewer people. I would imagine that the crowd is normally much rowdier, but at least we got to get closer. Maybe I´ll have to make my way back here for another...
Secondly, a few nights before, when we were at a club we actually ended up meeting a few girls that were going to be in the parade the next day. When one of the girls was walking by during the parade, I jumped across the barrier (which you are allowed to do) to get a photo with her. For some dumb reason, which is beyond me, I gave Burton the camera. Of course, he couldn´t figure out the depth perception on my camera (for those who do not know Burton, he only has one eye) and not a single photo was in focus. Why, at such a critical moment, I decided to give my camera to him is beyond me... I figure it must have been some
sort of karmic retaliation for my past behavior.
Anyway, the show was amazing and I highly recommend making it to Gualeguachu on a Saturday from the first weekend in January to the first weekend in March to check out a Carnaval parade. It may not be Rio, but it is still amazing.
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