C A R N A V A L ! ! ! ! ! !
In February, the small "city" of Kourou turns upside down and transforms into a bustling colourful pandemonium. My experience of the Touloulou was just the beginning. 'Carnaval' time brings en explosion of different hues and noises that is completely riveting, especially in such a small town as Kourou. It is wholly impossible not to move your booty and join the other loonies in the fan-fair as the parade moves by. There were between 40 and 50 groups included in the parade, all showcasing something unique. Everybody is included, from young to old. The idea seemed to be: Let everybody be, whatever it is that they want to be. Point. Full stop. And then just to ride with it.
The carnaval, to me, seemed to be not only a place where people could exhibit their dances, music and costumes (which were fantastic!) but also, it seemed to be a sort of release of sorts; where one could let their mind run wild and play with whatever fantasy it liked, without inhibition. The spirit and atmosphere during this particular afternoon made you come alive. I felt like my brain was doing the cha-cha whilst my eyes were feasting on the various costumes and dances. A completely exhilarating experience.
The parade kicked off with a motorcycle gang composed of about 40ish bikers, flaming whatever motor they were sitting on. Whether is was a Harley Davidson or a Vespa, let it roar/bark.
We even managed to spot this duo. The dog is not only wearing specially designed sunglasses, but it is also sitting on a snazzy motorbike, casually enjoying the view. I had to go over and talk to her. She told me that her dog loves the bike and has a habit of joining her on her rides. Naturally.
When I say everybody is included, I mean EVERYBODY is included. Right after the bikers these gents and ladies came rolling in on their wheelies too.
And those who were not able to be wheeled, well, they got to ride in on a bungalow jungle truck.
She threw paper-shavings at the audience with vivacious vigor and looked as though she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
Their costumes were simply amazing.
A hat made out of palm-tree leaves. I was totally jealous.
This man made me cry. He was literally beaming with happiness, and when he wasn't busy smiling, he was rocking out his harmonica. Over the drums and speakers and all the other hullabaloo, I'm not actually sure his music reached all that many ears, but away he tooted nonetheless!
The parade included everything and anything. From Chinese-new year dragons followed by this truck...
... to a Touloulou Prevention Society (because of the nature of the Touloulou dances, 9 months after the season a lot of babies magically pop into the world). They handed out dozens of free condoms. Britain would approve, health & safety first!
Of course, there was plenty of Brazilian influence. Love all around.
There was also quite a funny group with meticulous Touloulous accompanied by three monkeys on stilts who walked around harassing by passers. Anthony, naturally, enjoyed these guys.
Hello..? - "Uhh, has anybody seen this giant monkey? OK, somebody help me"
One of my favourite aspects of the entire carnaval was that older people joined in just as much as the young. The carnaval is for everybody.
Some very beautiful Touloulou and Tololo costumes were presented. Again, imagine the heat; this parade took place in broad daylight. Hats off to this pair!
A very stylish Tololo.
No parade is complete without CLOWNS!
Some of the costumes were extremely inventive, half-man / half-woman.
This was also a fantastic group: Natural Tribal showcased animals and insects made mostly from natural materials.
The juggling jungle-man.
A meat eating (walking, man-) plant!
A praying mantis I believe, with a palm-tree back.
The sea was also a prevailing theme.
Yes, there was a person in there rolling forwards at a timely pace.
The detail on these costumes were just magnificent.
Here fishy! fishy!
Costumes made from coffee beans and coffee sacks.
Maracas, drums and coffee beans!
So great. So so so great.
The weird and the wonderful were also displayed. Like this box of french fries.
This Amerindian family.
This group with all completely natural costumes.
There was also a random group of gorilla warriors. Don't ask, I have no idea. But there they were.
And the mosquitos... my favourite part of the South American mainland... not.
So far, this experience has been one of the most memorable in Kourou so far. An invigorating spectacle of human creativity and liberation. Absolutely fanfabulously fliptastic!
