“Carnaval” in my little town is a tame third-world Mardi Gras for the Mexican masses, who leave behind a life of poverty and despair for a weekend of mediocre live bands, cheap beer, and pathetic parades.
I’ve lived in Baja for three years and have always avoided the downtown area on this particular weekend. This time, however, Mr. T was in town and we were hungry. I suggested a seafood restaurant in the downtown area, one block removed from the rickety amusement park rides and beer stands. It was 2:00pm on a Saturday, and I was certain we could get in, eat, and get out before the masses arrived for the evening festivities.
We drove into town and Mr. T commented on the lack of parking spaces in the blocks around the restaurant. I summoned up my Universe-given powers to find the perfect parking spot and moments later pulled into a spot vacated by an SUV. I gave Mr. T a triumphant look and we walked half a block towards the restaurant.
We had a lovely lunch and as we prepared to leave, we noticed a large group of people gathering outside the restaurant. Some moron with a microphone and verbal diarreah was rambling on about the joy of the festivities, and we noticed that the street where my car was parked had been closed off for a parade!
So much for getting in and getting out! My perfect parking spot had been turned into the perfect viewing spot for a procession of homemade floats, dancing girls with flabby stomachs, carnival kings and queens, and the occasional town lunatic. Mr. T’s words said it all: “Your people are a very strange bunch.” For once, I won’t argue.
The King and Queen Our Lady of the Collagen Lips
Mr. T’s comment after seeing this ‘float’: “Um… Your country is mainly Catholic, right?”
February 19, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I wish we could have been there. Slim and I always love a good old fashioned parade… especially when there are women in leather involved.
FYI – I have the same car as you, but the slightly older, 2 door model. Just passed 100K miles and not one single thing has ever gone wrong with it. I hope you are as happy as I.
February 20, 2007 at 12:02 am
2×4 – Love my car! 🙂 I go back and forth from Ensenad to SD EVERY WEEK and it is happy as a lark.
February 20, 2007 at 10:54 am
Hehe, enforced parade-watching. This is funny because it happened to someone else (sorry)!
February 20, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Oh that’s kinda funny! I know though that if that had happened to me and The PK, he would’ve been TICKED OFF! (Well, until those hoochie parade enforcers came along…;)
February 20, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Jay – We were NOT amused! 😉
Stacy – Nothing like fat girls in pleather shorts to make a parade worthwhile!
February 20, 2007 at 4:34 pm
That made me laugh out loud. I am such an anti-paradite. They are creepy at the best of times.
February 20, 2007 at 4:59 pm
Um. That’s hilarious. Explain to Mr. T that the Catholics live it up (and apparantly whore it up a little) during Carnival in preparation for all of the sacrifices we have to make during Lent. God said he doesn’t mind.
February 20, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Mel – Creepy was an understatement here! I was mortified that Mr. T would think this was how the rest of the country was, and kept making excuses throughout the parade!
EEK – I think God was cringing as much as I was.
February 20, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Andrew has the same parking space mojo that you have. Sorry your’s backfired on you here.
Finally got some info up for you on canine separation anxiety. Let me know if you have questions.
February 20, 2007 at 6:25 pm
But these pictures were awesome. Do you always have your camera with you? I must get better about carrying mine around.
Thanks for the encouragement on my blog today. I shall print your comment as a bumper sticker.
February 20, 2007 at 7:06 pm
I like those parades, actually. I think they’re fun in that super cheesy way. And I love Ensanada – such a charming city!
February 20, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Karen – Thanks for the extremely useful info on separation anxiety. I’ll put it to use immediately!
Fringe – I keep a little digital camera in my purse, just for this type of situation. Good luck with your job change!
Lisa – You’ve been to Ensenada?!?! How cool!
February 21, 2007 at 4:59 am
Oh dear, maybe it’s because I came a little late to the story, but I thought Mr T was a local? Please enlighten me!
February 21, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Angie – Mr. T lives on the “good” side of the border (aka, San Diego, CA). I live in Baja, 70 miles south of the US border. Hope that helps! 🙂
February 22, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Ah, I see. Thanks for the background!:)
February 24, 2007 at 8:43 am
THANK YOU for the pictures! Man, that was funny! Oh, my people. Never ones to do things halfway.