Carnaval. Whoo!
So I've been writing about the big festival these past few weeks. I thought it was bad in Cuenca. Well in Salinas, it's ground zero. I'm talking roads, shoulder to shoulder filled with filthy, stinking youths, showering each other with eggs, water balloons, water buckets, and this foamy aerosol called karaoka. I was bathing in this stuff within minutes of arriving in Malecón (downtown Salinas). Malecón is the beach-front area that is typical of its type -- high-rise apartments, hotels and surf shops.
L and I got to Malecón at 10:30 p.m. that night and bought cans of karaoka to defend ourselves. They usually cost two dollars a can, but we bargained vendors down to three for five dollars. The people here spare pregnant women, small children and the elderly (sometimes). It's like an apocalyptic Mardis Gras, and everyone's invited. You walk down the street -- BAM! -- you're sprayed. You try to fight back -- BAM BAM BAM -- their friends have got you now. The sidewalk turned into a slip and slide!
Police were there, but they didn't do much to stop the carnage. I would find a group of girls to spray, and thirty seconds later I'm looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. As I look to the apartment buildings, people are dropping bucketfuls of water from nine stories up. This is crazy.
This frenzy lasts until 4 a.m. every morning, through Fat Tuesday... I don't know if I'll make it. There's just so much foam!!! People are literally crying from the stuff covering their face, stinging their eyes, and staining their clothing all colors imaginable. I'm coming back next year though.
Happy Birthday to my brother and cousin. I'll toast to each of you tonight!
Do not come to Malecón during Carnaval if you are looking for a tranquil evening. You'll live longer too.
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