Carnaval Weekend 2: Villarrobledo, Night 1

 March 11

For the first night of Carnaval, Helen and I dressed as Flamenco dancers. Mary, Krista and their friends in Villa dressed as Chinese geisha's and made a Chinese dragon. It was so amazing! They put a lot of time into the dragon. We got ready and headed over to their friends locale. The concept of a locale is very common in Villa. I had never heard it of it before. It is a room, space, apartment that is solely used as a personal disco. It is where people drink, dance, eat and hang out on the weekends. It isn't a bar or club in the true sense because everyone brings their own drinks. So we headed there and then went back and forth from the locale to the main square in Villa all night - parading around with the dragon and taking breaks to refill and use the bathroom in between.

Flamenco babyyy.

My little Spanish Helen.

Flamenco couple.

Chinese dragon head.

Tapas at the locale before heading to the plaza.

Geisha's.

Assuming the dragon.

Grand entrance into the plaza.

Beautiful Mary.

I was so impressed by how much effort they put into the costumes. It's like our Halloween, people think all year of costume ideas for Carnaval. 

Car Fresheners.

Prettyy Krista.

The gong leading the dragon.

Inside the dragon.

Look what the stork brought...

Chinese costumes.

Barbie Boxes.

The Spanish Bull.

Krista, Mary, Helen and Me.

Kissing the dragon.

With Helzbelz

Oh Krista.

 

Every night around 1:30 AM, they give out prizes for best costumes. The prizes are very manchego (very typical of our region in Spain)... wine, jamón and bread. We won Villarrobledo bread. Apparently, the jamón is the most coveted prize saved for only the best of the best costumes.

On stage accepting the prize, bread.

View from the stage of people in the main plaza.

Mary running with the winning bread.

Leaving my mark at the locale.

got a little carried away...

I loved being a flamenco dancer for the night!

Great night 1 of Carnaval!!!

On the wall of the locale..."Happy Drunkenness and Prosperous Hangover."

Loved loved loved night 1 of Carnaval... great costumes, great friends, great music... couldn't have asked for a better introduction into Carnaval!

one more night to go....
jaclyn