Carnaval - Paute Style

Dear Family and Friends,

Chuck and I went to Paute yesterday intending to eat some grilled lamb.  However, when we got to the restaurant no one was there, we figured we were a day late.

Even though it was drizzling rain we decided to walk around and see what was happening in Paute.

Evidently there was a great carnaval yesterday....but they were taking down the rides today.

Missed that!

We saw this sign that something would be happening on Sunday, but this was Saturday.

Missed that!

Chuck and I walked to the market....it appeared to be closed.  Chuck went around back while I stood under cover from the rain and he came back with some fruit.

We decided to walk back to the car and call the whole adventure off when we heard music.

One block ahead a parade was coming.

There were bands,

and dancing.

There was even a queen and king.

And a princess.

They even had men dressed as women.

These two guys are dressed as Cholas (indigenous women).

But most of all they had spray foam.

This spectator sprayed the parade folks.

And the parade folks sprayed back.

Even the spectators minding their own business were not spared.

Don't ride is this parade with your window down.

Heck, they were even spraying each other.

No one was exempt, not even this traffic patrolman.

And, yes, we got our fair share.

It turned out to be a fun day after all despite the fact that we were a day late for our barbecue.

Love,
Nancy