Carnaval in La Paz

Ash Wednesday, February 22

Mexican version of Hot Cross Buns?

Returning from the quiet unpopulated world of beach life to mad local revelry has been a bit of a shock.




From our slip we can see the Malecon swarming with crowds and vendors. Impacting us more is the constant beat of music and crackly amplification of voices from the many stages. The din starts in early afternoon and continues past midnight. The normally slow pace of La Paz life continues on our little side streets as police have them blocked off. It is nice that the daily parade is the only traffic allowed down Obragon, the beachfront drive, but the numbers of gun toting Army men as well as police all over town make me uneasy.

Home made eggs, masks and princess hats for sale

For several afternoons we’ve endured semi truck horns and the attendant music of the parade. Of course we had to go out and watch some of it as well. This town’s celebration is very home grown. Lots of kids on floats and working booths.

Child mango sculptor

Local customs entertained us. We were at first puzzled by passing parade goers, confetti sparkling on their hair and shoulders. Many industrious families must spend all year emptying eggshells and filling them with confetti and decorating them to sell for Carnaval. You can buy half a dozen for 10 pesos. 
The kids throw them at each other, smash them on people’s heads and the parade floats. Special foods, for example decorated buns, “pan de Texcoco,” and corn with thick cream on it are popular. Masks and other adornments are for sale everywhere. And vendors from other parts of Mexico set up booths all down the Malecon.

We can't wait for Lent to begin!

Cotton candy maker or Marge Simpson's new do?

Peso pitch game

Oakies?