Carnival Madness!

While Mardi Gras was in full swing in Saint Louis, the people of Cadiz, Spain were celebrating the third largest party in the world!  Cadiz is normally a quiet city, but for one week each year, it opens up the streets to a huge celebration.  All I can say is that is was crowded and I saw some of the most bizarre/funny costumes of my life.  In some cases, huge groups dressed as the same thing.  There was a huge group of Where's Waldos and a huge group of cows.  It was really entertaining.  There were also lights and really intricate decorations everywhere.  The town of Cadiz knows how to throw a party!

We traveled with a group called European Vibe and stayed in a 4 star resort!  It was a nice break from the "cozy" hostels that we have been staying in.  We didn't actually stay in Cadiz, but about 45 minutes away in a resort town called Sancti Petri right on the beach.  Liz, Anna, Faith, Caleigh, and I stayed in an apartment together with two bedrooms and a kitchen.  We made grilled cheeses and peas for every meal.  Yummmm...I think I totaled 6 grilled cheeses last weekend.  Trust me, I can eat a lot of bread and a lot of cheese.

On Friday night, we went to a disco nearby that European Vibe rented out for the group.  I think there were like 250 of us.  Then we had time to relax on Saturday.  It was like a real vacation because we didn't have to schedule in a lot of sight seeing.  Saturday night was the big event--Cadiz carnival!  Everyone dressed crazy in their masks and had a lot of fun.  Sunday, we had free time in the morning to enjoy the beach before we spent the rest of the day traveling home.

The perfect jumping pic!  (Photo cred. Anna Boston)

Soon I will have a lot of visitors to Madrid!  On Friday, one of my SLU roommates and fellow Chipotle aficionado is visiting--Lena!  I can hardly contain my excitement.  Not to be overshadowed by Steph and Morgan who are coming on Sunday!  What a great chance for me to perfect my tour guide skills.  Also, on Friday I am having lunch with the family I tutor.  In Spain, lunch is the big meal, and they have been waiting for a day where they can invite me over to spend more time with the family.  The kids don't have school and I'm not going anywhere, so it is the perfect opportunity.  I am working for the weekend over here.