Before carnival

Carnival time is almost here

Every year the second largest Carnival (Mardi Gras) in the world is celebrated here in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It will be held from the 1 to the 10 of March this year. Everyone is getting ready. The city is being transformed. Big structures are going up everywhere for street concerts, the sale of costumes is evident, and the posters are up.

We live right downtown. Many friends have counseled us to leave the city during this time. The noise during Carnival is constant and the multitude of people fill the streets. Outdoor music concerts begin at 11:30 PM and continue until 6 a.m. in the morning. Schools and universities are closed. It is kind of like Spring Break in the USA. So, we have a plan. We will escape to the south of the island.

For a few of these days, we will be visiting a new all inclusive hotel that is supposed to be like a dream for kids. Originally, during this time, we planned to visit European cities. However, after accompanying Papito on his work trip to Valencia, we realized that the kidDOS need kid-like activities, instead of visiting museums, walking thousand-year old streets, observing architecture, and reflecting on history.  There is a place for this for fourth graders, but it needs to be balanced. The kidDOS are tired from the cultural and linguistic transitions. Although Papito and me understand Spanish, the cultural transitions surely have taken their toll. Our hope during this Spring-Break is for a fun time for the kidDOS and a refreshing time for us. We will let you know what we learn about Carnival and how our time at Bahia Principe Fantasia goes.

Vale,