Carnaval and Challa

So I survived a wet weekend, which included a parade of pepinos (grown men dressed as jesters who are COVERED in foam and water as they march through La Paz) and several BBQs with friends and family. Carnaval is quite a spectacle, people get so into decorating you can't help but get swept up by the energy field albeit BIZARRE to walk the streets ever on the lookout for not only children but ADULTS in all shapes and sizes armed with multiple waterguns and armloads of water balloons (mercifully we were spared the frozen variety, which I hear HURTS).

Besides the drinking and debauchery for which Carnaval is famed, in Bolvia there's the tradition of decorating/blessing your home (and car and everything else imaginable) in a ceremony/activity called "challa" from the verb "challar." It involves scaring away evil spirits by LIGHTING FIRECRACKERS INSIDE (terrifying, I can confirm, and I've suggested we try saying "boo" next year to see if it's equally effective) and placing colorful balloons, streamers, and pink pebbles/candy (for love) and gold beads (for fortune) in strategic corners of one's otherwise relatively clean (finally!) apartment. To do this, one must be suitably decked out (see photos to come) and drinking beer, though it's usually done by noon. Certainly sets the mood!!

Next year we may check out the famous folklore and dancing in Oruro, which I hear is THE place (besides Rio) to enjoy a profesional parade, but quite honestly it was a perfect "introductory Carnaval" right here at home in La Paz. And I HIGHLY recommend the challa ritual for those of you looking for more than feng shui at home....or to scare the bejeesus out of a roommate or partner who otherwise thinks you're relatively SANE...