Panama Real Estate Investment Travel Information


Carnaval on the cob Pt. 2

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Written by Matt Landau

Tuesday, February 28 2006

After a semi-intrusive pat down by national guards at the gate, I entered the main street of Carnaval for a second time. Knowing sort of what to expect, I was a little more comfortable and a little less inhibited.

A man pushed past me with a snow cone cart and I bought one. This giant block of ice on top of which he used a razor-like scraper to scratch off enough to fill my cup. He topped it with mango and watermelon syrups—my favorite flavors. Just as I dug in, I felt something wet on my shirt and before I knew it, I was being assaulted by a SWAT team of 5 year olds with heavy water weaponry. As I tried to escape the action, they peppered my tailgate—it was refreshing.

I passed groups of hammered partiers hot dogging on makeshift dance floors. Old men pushed ceviche strollers selling portions of their cache for a quarter. An oncoming ni�o looked mischievous and as we neared I saw him reach into his bag of confetti, preparing to chuck it in my face. I grabbed his hand and smiled, hand-in-the-cookie-jar-style.

“What are you doing?” I asked him.

“Nada” he giggled back.

“What's the matter boy? Cat got your tongue?”

As the night tipped on, so did everyone's enthusiasm. People banging loud homemade drums made out old oil barrels and kitchen utensils. Guys with booze canteens who had clearly had enough. Everywhere, small makeshift griddles with meats and other goodies sizzling away, lit only by a hazardously burning beer can turned oil lantern. The streets covered in white confetti and the curbs lined with giddy vendors. Parking lots converted into large open-air bathrooms. Partiers in impish costumes and people blowing fire. You get this totally hedonistic vibe as if for these few days every year, you can do whatever you want. It's really quite scrumptious.

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