Last Saturday, I headed down to to the beach town of Cádiz, Spain for their week long festival called Carnaval. I had been to Cádiz for a day trip in the fall, but this trip was extremely different.
Carnavales is a festival when everyone dresses in costume and celebrates with art, music, and (above all) partying. Similar to the well-known "Carnavales" in Venice, Italy and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Carnaval is known as a "pre-lent" festival when everyone commits their sins and does everything that they can't do during lent.
I went with two of my friends from high school, Lindsay and Sara, and some of their friends. Sara is studying abroad in Rome this semester and was visiting Sevilla for the weekend, so we were excited to all have a great, Spanish night by the Atlantic. On Saturday afternoon, we met up for a drink and bought some costumes. I decided to go as a bird, with a beak mast, feather boa, and orange tights with black fishnets over. I guess I was more like a crow than a happy bird, but I found the mask really fun.
We met up at 5:30 to board the busses provided by Discover Excursions, the student travel company we went with. The ride is not much more than an hour- we are so lucky to be that close to the beach! When we arrived, we were greeted by a huge lit up "Carnaval" sign in front of a beautifully pink and purple sunset.
The rest of the night can probably be summed up in pictures, but I'll try to describe it for you. There were thousands of people in the main squares throughout the city drinking in insane costumes. There was lots of talking, meeting new people, and singing. All of the restaurants in the city center had stands of food. I ended up eating some friend fish and calamari, since Cádiz is known for their pescaito (fried fish).
I had a really great time, but we were ready to go after a few hours. We ended up leaving on the first bus at 3 am. (Yes, the first bus was at 3 am...) Here are some pictures that can do the whole experience a lot more justice than I think my words can.
Obama takes on Cádiz?
Hahah Lindsay I am very confused why you are so upset?
The next day, I woke up with a headache (haha..), but I rallied in time to meet up with Sara, Lindsay, and Sara's friend from school Ali for lunch. We ended getting tapas at one of my favorite places where I have been several times. Their menu is not very descriptive, but their food is amazing so you know that whatever your food ends up having along with it is going to be amazing. However, the surprise I was in for was faaarrr from amazing.
I ordered "solomillo al whiskey," a Sevillan specialty that is a type of pork with whiskey and garlic, as well as the stuffed eggplant tapa. I thought the stuffed eggplant just had vegetables and eggs in it, but Lindsay, who was eating the same thing, mentioned that she thought there was shrimp in it... I am allergic to shellfish....
I immediately asked the waiter, who confirmed that, yes, there was shrimp in the eggplant. The last time I ate shellfish, my reaction wasn't too bad, but the allergist who confirmed my allergy last summer told me that the reaction could worsen the second time around. So, I gave my friends some money and hopped right in a cab home to go figure out what to do (and that's where my Epipen was). After talking with two of my favorite nurses in the world (my old babysitter/family friend, Marianne, and Ben's mom), I ended up going to a pharmacy and getting the Spanish equivalent of Benadryl. Combined with some rest, everything ended up being just fine!! Lesson learned: TELL THE WAITER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEAL THAT I AM ALLERGIC TO SHELLFISH.
This weekend, I am staying in Sevilla to enjoy the beautiful low 70 degree, sunny days. Spring in Sevilla has arrived, and I'm truly loving this this city more than ever.
Thanks for reading!
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