Carnivale is a time to indulge oneself in preparation to start over (think New Orleans Mardi Gras). It is a time to go above and beyond in your own absurd ways. These absurdities often include alcohol, burlesque and grotesque humor, indulgence in food, etc. I was so excited to witness these aspects of the celebration firsthand and get to experience them while surrounded by the truest carnivale enthusiasts. I had set expectations that I would see so many images that are typically deemed inappropriate and experience individuals acting as, what would be considered at any other time of the year, fools. These expectations seemed accurate from my understandings, but were wrong.
Yes, my expectations we wrong but not in a bad way. There was minimal burlesque humor and even less grotesque humor. The people in the parade were drinking and taking shots, but they were not acting wild like I had expected. The food was amazing, but there was not an over indulgence of it.
No, carnivale did not meet my expectations in the humor aspect but that does not mean that there was not humor all around. The parade was fascinating. The rhetorical messages were so blunt and amazingly executed. The food was delicious. The confetti was everywhere. The people's costumes were so entertaining. The celebration seemed never ending.
This innocent Mardi Gras was a once in a life time experience despite what I had expected. Maybe next year I will hit up New Orleans for Mardi Gras to experience a less family friendly carnivale (the best of both worlds).
