Fascinating Carnival

Oruro is a small mining town in the mountains, dusty - and cold at night since it is three times as high as Denver. Chewing coca leaves helps stave off altitude sickness - headache, nausea, and shortness of breath.

Here is the most fascinating Carnival of them all. The small town is swollen with dancers and bands who have practiced for months in extravagant costumes. The folk dances are as varied as the Spanish, indigenous and afro people -each dance with elaborate history and unique music. And the spectators sing along with each one.

The entrada (procession) lasts fourteen hours - from 10:00 AM Saturday until 2:00 AM Sunday. Some groups have up to 300 dancers and band members and may take an hour and a half to pass. It is a spectacle of religious custom, Bolivian culture, and welcoming fun. In the lapse between marching groups giant water and foam fights erupt with only the elderly, infants and vendors exempt. It is a friendly way to get everyone involved and gringos need slightly more involvement.

Sitting street side not far from us was the new president, Evo Morales, shaking hands with any and all. He had only the regular police around him. They seemed mostly concerned with keeping people out of the parade route. Morales comes from a mining town background and sometimes marches in one of the procession bands. One mother handed him her baby for a snapshot. Jean got a good picture.

More on Oruro in the article below.