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Published: March 11th 2007
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Carnival
During the day dancing and drinking in the streets The main street in Bocas started some kind of transformation on the 16th of February. Ten beer tents lined the park across from Heike, a huge stage two doors down adorned with four levels of speakers, a semi-trailer truck with a high pressure water hose, fried chicken and bread stands everywhere……and the people start to gather.
The festivities started Friday morning, people started gathering in the streets; families, children, young crowds and the old. The energy was brewing for an exciting 5 days of partying and celebrating.
Meanwhile the guests’ at Heike were getting pretty excited about the party, starting the festivities early with beers in one hand and water guns in the other.
We played all day with the local kids having water fights, tickle wars and dancing in the streets to the reggae roots, reggaeton and hip-hop playing on the amazing sound system.
At around sunset everyday, we would hear the jingle of bells coming from the street, heavy feet pounding the pavement, and the cracking of whips coming our way. It made me feel like I was young again, my tummy would fill with excitement and we would all run outside to see the
Water Fight
The water trucks out for the afternoons over carnival show……
‘El Diablos’ were out ready to attack anything in the street armed with a stick and a shield of courage, or stupidity; I haven’t figured out which. The crowd would gather for about a two block stretch, the devils all gathered inside the circle huffing and puffing, dancing this primal, aggressive dance; shaking their heads, stomping their feet . When someone was brave enough to jump inside the circle from the crowd, it felt like the spectators would all pause. The showdown was about to begin.
The rule goes, that if you step inside the circle the devil is allowed to attack you with their whips, you are only able to be armed with a stick to avoid the whip cracking your skin, feet, arms or back. On the last night of Carnival, the devil run took an unexpected turn, it was time for payback. The locals lined up along the road and it was their turn to punish the devils, they got into two lines and the devils had to run through fourteen guys whipping them as hard as they could. The streets were filled will people and the devils ran from mobs of locals that dragged them
Diablos
The devil in the streets back to the park costumes torn, and preparing to get a beating.
My curiosity was getting the best of me, I wanted to know why such a violent, intense, dramatic tradition existed. So, one afternoon I sat down with Guillermo(he works construction at both hostels and has lived here his whole life), he explained that part of the tradition comes from when the Spanish came here and suppressed the indigenous people into slavery. The devils represent the Spanish settlers and the locals that go to challenge them represent the slaves that endured suppression. It is a ritual that is practiced out of respect for their ancestors that endured such brutal violence. It is also practiced before lent to release the inner devil before you purify yourself for lent.
My day ended up taking a very special turn when one of my best friends here in Bocas brought his son to meet me at Heike. Jandell, Jen and I ended up spending 4 hours playing, walking, goo-gaaing, and napping …it was awesome.
We decided to throw a ‘Naughty Mardi Gras Masquerade’ at Mondo Taitu, in the spirit of Carnival. So, my Friday morning started with a bucket of
Paper Machet and a little touch of creativity to get everyone involved in making masks. Jen went as a fallen angel, I spent about 40 minutes painting angel wings on her back. I went as a Kitty Kat(not surprising), and Laura went as a gypsy. The boys from Mondo got down as well, Dan went as a hula girl, Dave was whatever Dave is when he is sporting his blue wig. And Smee had the most amazing devil mask, and wore his nicest black suit for the occasion.
It was the beginning of four days of complete insanity, drinking from 10 am in the morning the 3 am…the next day. We all had an amazing time but, were relieved and ready for it to be over.
There was also another first during Carnival when Ashley was here, we all got to go out on the boat together for Daniel’s birthday. Dave, Dan, Daniel, Jen, Laura, Ashley, Brian, Barry, Martin, Chris, and I ventured out into the Caribbean waters for our first day of fun in the sun all together.
Dave and Daniel specially bought some Budweiser Beer in Panama City for the occasion, we drank, talked, swam, and
Wings
My artwork on Jens back for the Masquerade snorkeled. It was soooo much fun! It was nice to have free time with everyone that works so hard together all the time.
And, last Friday we had the best party, we all got to dress up as our inner animal. It was ‘Animal House’, poisson, cheetah, pea-cock, baboon, turtle, and little piggy…..it was so much fun, and I was putting my painting skills to use face painting everyone for the party.
These past weeks have been crazy, amazing, special, hectic, and soooo much fun. I am sure there will be more to come from the amazing, parties, stories, and excitement of Bocas!
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L.L.
non-member comment
Hi
Hi Kit Kat, Your mom sent me your blog today to bring some sunshine into the report card cave. I'm sure you remember those good ol' days. Well, sunshine, wowee! It looks like this is a glorious place for fun, sun, work, play and definitely your art. Your mom is getting so excited to come and see you and your new home. She has sent us all the site for her hotel in Panama. It looks almost as if she will be sleeping right on the sea. She is doing well and we always keep our eyes out for her, but she is so looking forward to the break and her new adventure get away. I hear that you have great plans for working at the new hostel. You are such an inspiration for sure, seeing possibilities, going forward with them and fullfulling your dreams yet still holding on to reason. I look forward to hearing all of your mom's stories when she returns. L.L. :D