Carnaval

Carnaval is a big festival that occurs right before the start of lent. It's essentially the same thing as Mardi Gras. You might be imagining a nonstop three day party with belly dancers and fire breathers, but you're mistaken. That is Brazilian carnaval. Portuguese carnaval is a lot less excessive/exciting and it is different from Brazil's. Every region in Portugal celebrates carnaval a little different and has it's own traditions.

Monday night I went with Guilherme and Simão(Emilia's sons who we went to Serra da Estrela with), and my host sister Inês to Caminha. Caminha is known for carnaval in my area because it has a lot more bars than Viana even though it's smaller, I guess. Anyway we got there at about midnight Monday night/Tuesday Morning and Guilherme's girlfriend Rita joined us. Tuesday Morning starting midnight is when all the parties are and teenagers/adults go out. All the streets are packed with people. It's a lot like Halloween except instead of children with candy on suburban lawns it's adults in the city center with alcohol. Inês and I went as prisoners and Guilherme and Simão as nerds.

Guilherme, Me, Inês, and Simão

On Tuesday I went to the parade just to see it and it was so crowded and you couldn't even see anything so I left after 45 seconds. I went with Pedro but he didn't care he's seen it a bunch of times, my host parents and host sister didn't want to go either haha. 

Parade on the main avenue in Viana

Parade on the main avenue in Viana

I think that's all I have to say about Carnaval, tomorrow I start school again. Goodnight!