Carnaval in Mexico

The few days before Lent begins is when Mexico celebrates Carnaval, a grand old party where people dress up like Europeans (mocking them--and I believe specifically in my area, mocking the French who fought against us in the Battle of Cinco de Mayo) and devils and other kind of creepy-looking creatures and dance. There are also beautiful dresses, really intricate costumes, impressive moves, and unfortunately, guns.

I can't go into details about all the history and significance of every aspect of Carnaval--it's very complex and I don't think I could do it justice. BUT, here's an article about Carnaval in Tlaxcala (a neighboring state to Puebla, and the smallest state in Mexico) that I think is very interesting and gives a good picture of the significance of the celebration in Mexico: http://www.revistascisan.unam.mx/Voices/pdfs/6119.pdf

I really just wanted to share the videos I took from the parade I attended in Puebla city a week and a half before Lent began.

I attended another Carnaval celebration later, in the town of Nativitas, Tlaxcala, but this was a week or two after Lent began. At this point Carnaval should've been over, but... it wasn't. At all. And at this Carnaval, there were guns that actually shot gunpowder--at least every few minutes. Thank GOD for earplugs.

Luckily the parade/gunshot part died down and we got to enjoy some live music!

Let's just say there was dust/gunpowder in my hair/nose/lungs for a bit afterwards. But as we say in Mexico, vale la pena. It's totally worth it.