Costumes! For us, carnaval began on Friday when the kids all had carnaval parties at school: with costumes, candy, confetti and spraying "espuma". This year, everywhere is lots of propaganda about "not wasting water during carnaval" (throwing water balloons and soaking with water guns--anywhere, anytime--is a traditional activity). Instead, espuma--a canned foam spray--is being promoted as the environmental alternative??? 
Vacation! Carnaval is a two-day holiday here on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday...thus a 4-day weekend. Sergio, Rosi and family packed up a few things (!) to go to their country house in Yanacachi, where they will be joined by a dozen or so of their friends. 
Foster watches the packing. 
Elliott and Susana wasted no time in accepting Rosi's invitation to go along. As you can see from the pictures, there was no room for me to join them, but when I hypothetically offered to go too (so that Foster would go and we could all be together) Elliott's answer was a resounding "NO!" If I went, he would stay behind. Hmm...I have to wonder what he's up to right now...but I have a feeling that happens in Yanacachi will stay in Yanacachi! They will be back Tuesday.
"Puma" (Foster's version of Espuma) 
Water and foam play in the streets would seem to be the major carnaval amusement for kids. Today as we drove to lunch and back, Foster had a chance to squirt water and foam from the car at passersby. Our rules were to look for other "players"--anyone carrying a squirt gun or espuma can was fair game. But Foster was pretty happy just spraying foam out the window whether he had a target or not. I think I enjoyed randomly trying to spray people as much as Foster did--it's pretty fun to have everyone out there just ready to play. We got blasted more than once by folks with well-honed water balloon skills...they got us thru the car window, and while we were moving!
Some street scenes: you'll see the well prepared wear plastic covers and sometimes goggles.
Diablada
Last but certainly not least, the biggest deal of carnaval in Bolivia is the dancing in the town of Oruro. And it is a focal point of national pride this year as everyone wants to reclaim the "Diablada"--the costume and dance that last year the Peruvian Miss Universe contestant had the audacity to claim was Peruvian. Bolivia won't stand for that! In any case, the newspapers claim up to 50,000 dancers and thousands of musicians participated in yesterday's all-day parade of dancing and costumes. It really is very elaborate. Here's a link to a very short video clip to get a taste (it may not be the best, but it was the first thing I found!)
All for now!
Karen
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