Carnaval

Yes, spelled Carnaval and we are going to the one in Cádiz. We're booking a bus there for February 18th. It leaves at 8pm and picks us back up that same 'night' at 5am. This week sometime we'll go shopping for costumes. I've never been, but I imagine Carnaval is somewhat like Mardi Gras.  Here's a little background info. It's not from the greatest source, but here it is anyways:

"Everyone loves Carnival in Cadiz. People come from all over the world come to join in on the fun. Some don't even book hotel rooms. They just stay up all night, or sleep on a bench. 

The carnival in Cádiz is said to be the third largest in the world. Rio de Janeiro and Trinidad come before. The fun all started in the 17th Century. 

The crews of the Spanish ships travelling to the New World brought back gold and silver along with a variety of musical influences that are still alive today.

Nowadays the carnival is a fantastic mixture of Andalucian flamenco, African and Creole rhythms, sambas, and Columbian music. Any music and dancing is welcome (as long as it's loud and colourful).Preparations often seem messy and slow. You'd often wonder how they pull it together in the end, but they do. Perfectly.

Every available space is used up. Stages are set up on all the plazas for musical performances, comic acts, and children's shows etc.

The Plaza de Cathedral hosts some excellent rock concerts. Some of Spain's most popular groups perform here. There is also the daily La Toronda (thunder) that takes place in the Plaza San Juan de Dios. It's an insane, mind-shattering firecracker display.

The carnival also includes numerous colourful parades, with dancing children in crazy costumes. If your feeling adventurous you could try the battered lookin carnival rides in Parque Genrives...you'd have to see them to believe them!! 

There are loads of things to do and see, but most people just come to drink and have fun in the streets. The city gets so crowded that you can loose all sense of direction. Roads and buildings become irrecognizable with all the colours, movement and people."

Our water heater currently isn't working, so I was unable to shower today. Everytime we plug the water heater in, we blow a fuse in the apartment. So I guess I should say the fuse is broken? Our 'electrician' says he will be here at 4pm tomorrow to fix it. I hope he shows up. Last time he told us he'd be here, it was over a week before he came. Things will not be good if I have to go that long without a shower. My roommate literally asked me tonight if she should heat up water on the stove. I hope it doesn't come to that haha. Keep your fingers crossed. 

And today I saw a husband and wife loading up their groceries into a suitcase at the grocery store. I'm not sure if I've written about this yet, but here in Spain you have to bag your own groceries. IF you buy the bag, that is. Bags cost about 7 cents a piece. Many people bring these rolling type bags with them to the grocery store, or they bring a canvas bag, an extra large purse, etc etc. I always just buy a bag because for me they also double as trash bags for our small trash can. Anyways, I have seen people stuff their groceries away many times, into different bags. But never had I seen anyone put their groceries into a full size suitcase on wheels and roll them out of the store. Kind of strange.