So this past weekend was Carnaval. Because of this celebration, we were off from school Monday and Tuesday. Carnaval is a celebration that happens for the week leading up to Lent. It's a Roman Catholic celebration that happens in most parts of Europe. Carnaval involves processions, music, dancing, and masquerade. Basically, it has many similar characteristics to Halloween without the scary aspect and without the candy. We had lots of fun celebrating with the other international students and it was also not bad to have off classes as well. :)
On the last night of Carnaval, Tuesday, there was a procession around the entire centro. Everyone gathers around a giant sardine (yes, sardine haha) and carries a torch. The crowd then continues to follow a procession after the sardine to different stations where someone speaks at each one. At the end of the procession, the sardine is lit on fire to symbolize a society being "reborn, transformed and with new vigour." I was very taken back by the celebration, but it was definitely something that was worth seeing!
Next stop: last minute trip to Salamanca tomorrow.
Hasta luego :) :)
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