The world famous "Carnaval" .. well, I didn´t make it to Rio but I have to say Colombians do it up pretty good. I went to Barranquilla, Colombia´s 4th largest city and industrial seaport. There´s not much here for tourists, except for the one week a year when the town completely shuts down and just parties.
If Webster´s dictionary defined Carnaval in Colombia it would say .... Carnaval(n): the country´s display of crazy colors, hot women, and the mass consumption of rum in a festive, street party atmosphere where all are welcome and drunkenness and scantily clad women are encouraged. My first day of Carnaval began with La Batalla de Flores(Battle of Flowers) which was the busiest day and the best parade. The costumes of the participants were brilliant and fortunately, I found an OK seat in the bleachers to see it all and get some pictures. Soon afterward, a 6 piece brass band sat next to me on one side bringing everyone alive and the crazy Colombian family on the other side of me adopted me as there own and fed me shots of rum all afternoon. The bleachers and streets are filled with people having foam and water battles and being a gringo is one sure way to get "attacked". I had no choice but to fight back and purchase my own bottles of spray foam and wreak havoc of my own.

The parade matched my "Websters" definition exactly ... Colombia showing off it´s colors, women and propensity to drink. The following days were repeats of Saturday but the crowds slowly got smaller each day as recovery time from each previous event must have increased exponentially. All I know is this is one event not to be missed and Colombia is as good a place as any to do it.

My pictures are OK but I had some streamers and support bars in the way sometimes. In addition, the lens on my camera only zooms in so well. Anyway, enjoy......