Although it follows Mardi Gras they say it has nothing to do with Mardi Gras, it is just an excuse for another party. Mardi Gras here by the way, is nothing like Rio or New Orleans. Very few people dress up and the parade consists of cars and pick up trucks decorated with balloons. It has always been in the Romantic Zone and mostly sponsored by the LGBT group. A few years ago, the mayor (who always makes stupid decisions), decided he wanted it on the Malecon and he wanted it to be more "family friendly" Mardi Gras ??? Really ?? Anyway the parade continued but it does start on the Malecon and winds up at the pier in Zona Romatica.
At first I had no idea what to do for a costume, then I saw my El Sofa coffee lady dress up as a witch for Holloween. I asked if I could borrow her costume and she agreed to do my make up. The make up took an hour. She wanted to add a false nose and chin, but I declined as I knew it would be too uncomfortable to wear it all evening (especially while eating dinner). Still, no one recognized me at first. Yes, the costume was more appropriate for Holloween than Mardi Gras, but it was still a good costume.
The home where the party took place is in Los Gaviotos where they are nothing but mansions on large lots. A few years ago they purchased the lot behind them for an extension of their already large beautiful garden. I happened to be at a dinner party (a sit down for 20 people) just after they purchased the property. They had cut an oval hole in their wall where you could see just a vacant lot with weeds. Not more than two or three months later, I was again invited and to my amazement the garden was complete with full grown trees and vines climbing up and over eight foot walls.
They had set up eight or nine tables for eight in the garden on each side of a center fountain.. At the back of the new garden is a cabana where the bar was set up and opposite it is a full kitchen (behind their orchid garden). The photos of me were taken in my apartment, but I took the camera to document the party. After just a few shots, the batteries died. It happens all the time here because of the heat and humidity. So I have very few photos to show you. By the way, I won a prize for my costume, but have no idea why (maybe for the ugliest drag). There was so much noise with all the people I could not hear anything until suddenly I heard my name being called out. It was a very fun party. I have no idea what costume I will come up with next year.
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