Carnaval

In the United States we know the revelry that comes before the beginning of Lent by the name of Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday).  In the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking worlds the celebration is known as "Carnaval".  The biggest "Carnaval" in the world is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  In Mexico the best-known celebrations are in the port of Veracruz on the gulf coast and the city of Mazatlán on the Pacific.  Mexico City does not have a city-wide celebration, but in some boroughs such as Iztapalapa and Xochimilco, local events are organized.

Yesterday I was at Alejandro's house in the neighborhood of San Juan de Aragón.  The area is one of the few places in Mexico City that celebrate "Cinco de Mayo" with a loud, raucous reenactment of the Battle of Puebla.  However, I did not realize that they also celebrate "Carnaval".  I was fixing dinner when I heard music playing from a distance.  "It's for 'Carnaval'," Alejandro said.  The music grew louder and louder, and we went outside to see.  At the street corner, just feet away from his house, there was a band and a small group of costumed men and women dancing. 

The costumes, the women in ball gowns and the men in top hats and tails, are meant to poke fun at the white upper class.

After dancing a couple numbers, they then headed down the street to dance some more.

There is always something new to see or experience in Mexico City!