Lundi 23 – dimanche 29 mars Carnaval!

Hermione, Seph and Solenn

The highlights this week:
A phone call from Karen + Gavin!!! Wahoo! Our package that we sent home arrived in great condition –Whew!!
It rained and was really cold all week – back to winter temperatures!
Seph got something in her eye that caused a lot of pain and she had Friday off school so we could get it out!
On Saturday night Seph had a French friend come and stay for the night – they all really enjoyed having time together.
We finally booked a campervan for part of the summer holidays so we can tour around and see a few more places.

Carnaval in town- On Sunday we caught the bus into town to meet our friends and to watch the carnaval parade. I wasn’t really sure what it would be about but got told it is a famous tradition and that the Parade is a huge highlight and people come from miles to see the entertainment. As we arrived early – I got early genes which pay off every now and then – we got a prime spot at the end of a rue where the floats then turn a corner. All the barricades were up and security was everywhere. Before long the crowds started arriving and filling up fast. We had our spot but one of the girls moved back to talk to Nev and quick as a French Flash someone elbowed in and took her spot!
I was determined not to let this happen again and I was not going to be pushed out of the way until we are at the back again, considering we were the first there. So I went one side of the children and Nev the other to stay staunch and ‘hold’ our spot and stand our ground! I did manage to gain our spot back by edging in very slowly as centimetres appeared! However during the parade these people behind us pushed really hard and their children were so rude and pushy the other lady (the one who had originally pushed in) and me were holding firm. I really had to stand strong and push back to keep from getting edged out! The mother had a rather animated discussion with the lady beside me about not letting them in but I did catch her answer back – “Well, get here earlier!” My sentiments exactly! Normally it wouldn’t worry me so much but I could see that if we let her children in then she would elbow her way in and I would be at the back again! After all we are only here once.

The setup was amazing, balloon sellers were everywhere, they also were selling bags of confetti and the silly string cans for the crowd to use. This really created a party type atmosphere and amazingly it wasn’t raining and the sun even shone! After about 45 minutes of waiting and the crowds at least 10 rows deep, the first band approached. The costumes were extravagant, fun and well thought about. The bands came from Austria, Germany and many French bands. The people were of all ages in the bands and played many instruments, a few I have never seen before. The music was great and such a huge part of French life.
I can’t help but think if New Zealand bands were as much fun they might be more popular and have many people want to be a part of it. I have also noticed that there is no ‘stigma’ attached to what teenagers like to do and many of these bands were full of young people.
A very impressive parade, probably about 35 floats and as many marching bands. Many of the floats were made of crepe paper and some were other materials – not sure what though – fibreglass? Most floats were self driven with all the mechanics hidden. This was great for photo taking!

I Loved this float - A man sitting on the toilet reading the paper!

Many of the participants had confetti too that they would throw at the crowds. A couple of floats had confetti canons – man did they blow out the stuff. We got covered at one point.
Any one need ideas for float making this year?
The whole parade lasted about an hour and there was NO truck parade to boost it! There was also no pressure to go into an area after and have to pay for the privilege. However there were market stalls, side shows and the bands did perform again after on a stage in the town square. FREE!!!
A really enjoyable afternoon – the children kept picking up confetti from the street and throwing it on others. One of the roads by the square was even covered all in foam – not sure why or how though!

Hermione amongst all the foam and confetti on the wy home.

Most people were in the spirit – there was confetti everywhere! I have never seen so much confetti in my life. After we returned home the amount of confetti on the floor was incredible. An amazing amount on the toilet floor - good knows how it got inside jeans!!

Ok Have tried to be brave and added in a small video - hope it works! Don't forget you can click on photos to enlarge them.