[Written on Monday, February 16…see, I told you they’d be out of order. Sorry!]
As some of you may know, it is Carnival time! I’m sure both Katie and our NOLA friends, the Goulds, would prefer if I referred to it as Mardi Gras, but that’s just not what it is down here. I assumed the city would be packed with people going crazy in the streets, particularly on Avenida Balboa, right in front of our new place. Apparently, however, the Interior (pretty much the rest of the country besides Panama City) is where people go. The city is completely desolate right now. It’s the most bizarre thing. Eric and I rolled the last of our suitcases from our old place to the new one down the road without any worries about cars this morning. Yes, we got weird looks, but it was only 4-5 blocks, so getting a cab would’ve been silly. I took a picture of Avenida Balboa and the Cinta Costera this morning (two of the main roads in the city) because I’m sure I’ll never again see them so empty! I’ll have to take a photo when people get back to town and post the side-by-side comparison. It’s really bizarre.
Anyway, people are gathering in the streets not too far down from us to celebrate. Eric came inside from the balcony to get me earlier today saying “Grab your camera and come look at the boats!” I was confused because, well, we live: 1) in a building called the Yacht Club which is directly across the street from the actual Yacht Club, and 2) within 15 minutes of the Panamá Canal. Of course there are boats! Turns out he said “floats”! There were several parade floats driving down Avenida Balboa at a snail’s pace right below us. Here are a few photos:
What a fun holiday! Everyone is off work. Businesses and many restaurants are closed. I’m really hoping that tonight or tomorrow I’ll feel up to walking down to see what’s going on and to take some photos. When Eric was moving some of our stuff last night around 11 (again, I thank God for my sweet and long-suffering husband a million times a day), he said the party was just getting started. Tomorrow is the main celebration day, as you might imagine (Fat Tuesday), so I can’t wait to see what happens then. If we had wifi in our apartment already, I would be checking out what’s going on and where we should be. But, we couldn’t get internet access this weekend or for part of this week because of Carnival. No one is working. I get it! It’s a great concept! We should do that in the States…or rather in more states than just Louisiana! Everyone take a break and spend time outside with family and friends and strangers dressed in bright colors. Listen to live music, celebrate, get sprayed by a hose (this apparently happens, which is great b/c it’s hot as blazes…again, sorry), and just have fun!
Eric and I both have more stories to tell that we’ve been saving up, but I’ll end this post for now. More soon…maybe even a guest appearance by Eric!
