Carnaval

Well, I have discovered that Mexicans love festivals, and as soon as one holiday ends another one is beginning. Carnaval began on Friday, which is a five-day celebration leading up to the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Yesterday a friend and I went to Tlaxcala to check out some of the festivities. There was a parade, street vendors, traditional dances, costumes, an abundance of food, and a fair with amusement park rides!

Most of the participants in the parade were school kids dressed up in some of the traditional costumes, like these guys. And there were several high school marching bands too.

All of the costumes and floats were decorated so colorfully!

This is one of the charros, a traditional costume, with the pink-skinned mask, ranchero clothing, and hat with brightly colored ostrich feathers.

More fun costumes. If you want to know more about the origins of Carnaval or the celebrations in Tlaxcala, check out this article...http://www.carnavalexhibit.org/mexico.php.