Carnival in Cyprus is a more family-friendly version of Mardi Gras. Everyone wheres masks and costumes(they don't have halloween, so instead they dress up in what we would consider "halloween costumes" for carnival). The parade was really awesome! There were so many people, especially since Limassol has the biggest and best parade in Cyprus, everyone goes there to celebrate. I would estimate several hundred people were there, oddly I felt perfectly comfortable with the crowds though. The atmosphere was so fun, it was sunny and gorgeous out, and everyone was in the spirit of Carnival.
the parade was close to what I pictured, with people packed in like sardines, BLASTING music
(like Chicira sort of music-upbeat/beach party-like), and wonderful costumes. I have to admit the parade floats were not what I was expecting, but I suppose they are more realistic than the Disney version I was anticipating (like in "Rio" and "Princess and the Frog"). Regardless, it was a great experience and I am so so happy we caught the last bus there that morning from Paphos! Some of the pictures are blurry-ish, but I tried to post a good variety of the floats/costumes, so it should be easy to scan through them. BUT make sure to go all the way down to see my mask and my first taste of duck!
Cowboys/Wild West
Native Americans
Prince and Princess of Carnival
Vampires!
Gypsies
Kitties
Cute kids in costumes in front of me
Middle Eastern/ Saudi Arabian Float
Firefighters
These two are Lady Gaga!! So funny and kind of creepy!
70's
Little Red Riding Hood (and Wolves)
Pirates
Arabians (They remind me of Aladin)
The royal family
Peter Pan
The Smurfs (there were about 10 minutes worth of Smurfs-like 10,000 smurf-people)
Chickens- there were a lot of animal floats because Carnival is about enjoying eating dairy and meat leading up to lent.
Angry Birds
Marilyn Monroe's and Elvis's
Pirates
Money Trees
Santas
Hippies
"Glamorous"
Me :)
There are certain items I have learned don't really exist in Cyprus, so when one turns up, it is very exciting. These include: ranch dressing, ginger ale, mac n cheese, root beer, carrot sticks, shaky parmesan cheese, esparagus, and many others.
This is a Fried Dumpling stuffed with Duck covered in Plum Sauce- it was so yummy!! This was the best restaraunt I think I have ever been to!
Gang of 16 cats guarding the sidewalk- kind of creepy really
Wow, looks like you're having an amazing time! Love your mask! Seems like things are going well and you're finding your place in Cyprus. Thanks for keeping us all up dated so we can live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteLove ya
Wow, this is soo what you came for! It must have been just awesome being there. I can not get over the amount of American influence there is in the Carnival parade, even down to the "Native Americans, and Cowboys".
ReplyDeletehI kaisha, just able to get back on your site. Really enjoyed the "trip" to the carnival. So much fun to see their version.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day you must have had. Natually you coordinated your mask with your outfit!