After keeping quiet during the pandemic people have found their fancy dresses or made new ones, filled their glasses or plastic imitations and joined others in town halls, streets and otherwise quiet bars.
Even on the radio there is no escape.
It's a huge boost for the catering industry and the beer producers.
And while people are dancing, drinking, and even diving on each other, the nurses and doctors at the hospital have to stp in to treat alcohol intoxications, broken limps and cuts, created by fake glass, sharp accessories and who knows what else.
Oh yes, I took part in the past.
Of course we had carnival at school.
I remember I wanted to dress up as a chinese person. I loved the yellow-gold colours, the large hat on my back, and the colourful make up.
The year after that I wanted to use the same costume again... but my mother had already thrown it away.
As a protest I dressed up as a farmer... It was not posh enough in her eyes.
When I was 17 I was part of the schoolpaper and student organisation. I didn't care much for drinking, and the far too loud music. So my boyfried and I were asked to arrange the surveillance of the gardens and park behind the school. It was the perfect place for couples to try and get to know each other (too far) better. We were quite successful in preventing unwanted pregnancies, due to our own surveillance technique.
Instead of walking with huge torches, we quietly sneaked into the gardens. Had a kiss ourselves now and then, held hands... and made as little noise as possible. We were able to hear the couple, gave them a good fright and suggested with noises that we had left... only to catch the next couple. After 2 or 3 couples our job was done. The word spread anf as long as none saw us they thought we were still in the gardens, catching couples!
During my university years we didn't have many opportunities to celebrate Carnival. A week no classes and colleges, meant studying as much as possible for the exams the days after the event.
But one year we were invited to join fellow students right at the inner heart of the Carnival celebrating area. I had my hair done with one part straight up in a braid. It looked magnificent. During the paradee it was cold and the braid stood firm on my head. People laughed and pointed at it. How it should be.
Then we entered the tent. It was hot and humid. The fat substance to keep the braid up got fluid and my "antenna" was gone. We had fun, nevertheless, by that time many around me had enough beer not to look around too much. I noticed, because I was not a heavy drinker.
A few years later my father was asked to become Prince Carnaval. It was a huge honor, but he couldn't afforrd the costs, so he declined.
My sister however got more interested in the event than before. Found a boyfried who equally emersed himself in the festivities. In fact his whole family did. They joined the largest organisation in town and she became a much loved secretary. She witnessed one of her sons becoming youth prince. Her husband always was part of the organisational committee, as was her father in law. After her death nothing changed.
And then the circle started again.
My little kids at school... Carnival. Cowboys, Snowwhite. Last year one of my sons came to collect the 2 sombrero's I kept as a memory. I've never seen them back.
But Carnival will be back, next year, with new music, new costumes and a lot of fun!
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