Sitges Carnival!

Don't It Make Your Heart Go Boom Da Boom Da Boom Da?

Don't you hear it? Feel it? Taste it? Live it? Of course you do. It's in your bones, in your heart and in your calendar of things you simply "must do." It's the Sitges Carnival (February 19th to 25th, 2009) and it's considered to be one of Spain's hottest, most exciting events each year. How could it not be? Just get a load of those outfits would you?

Did you realize that Spain has been celebrating this splashy Carnival for over 100 years? Its origins seem to be a bit shrouded in mystery, but no one seems to mind that at all, as who doesn't love a good excuse for pure, unadulterated revelry? Suffice it to say that not a whole lot of work gets done during Carnival.

Wooo the feathers, the sequins, the face paint and the outlandish and outrageous costumes are part and parcel of one the best weeks you will ever spend in Sitges. Just when you thought your vacation might be quiet and peaceful, along come the Sitges Carnival and turns your whole week upside down. Oh and what a way to go!

If you want a walk on the wild side, then this Carnival is definitely for you. Just be prepared to book way in advance, as we get up to 250,000 carnival goers over the course of the week. Pre-booking is the word around here, along with dressing to the nines to kick off the Carnival on Fatty Thursday (Jueves Lardero or Dijous Gras). Bring your own fork for this affair, because you will be eating from sun up to sun down and the food is superb.

There are two parades, one on Sunday and one on Tuesday that traipse down Rua del Extermini. Watch for floats, decorated carriages, costumes that will make you smile and outfits that are so flashy you simply must have a camera to capture the moment. Sequins are the order of the day along with some of the wildest jewelry you will ever see. Great show!

Speaking of spectacular shows, you much catch Tuesday's Drag Show. It's totally amazing, funny, well done, and the drag talent from all over Europe is simply stunning. It's one of the major highlights of Carnival. Hey, even children have their own parades or ruas on Sunday and Tuesday afternoon.

You must also see the arrival of the King of Carnestoltes (Carnival) on the Thursday before Lent and the traditional Burial of the Sardine (Well really, who wouldn't bury a smelly fish?) on Ash Wednesday. Right, it's really an effigy, so no worries there. There's more yet to come including folk dancing, the Debauchery Parade and the Extermination Parade. You choose what you want to do because the activities are non-stop for the Sitges Carnival.

See you there!