Carnevale

Carnevale is a big festival every year in Italy that begins on Thursday and ends on Fat Tuesday.  Discopubs always throw parties that weekend where everyone dresses up in costumes.  In the past, everyone wore masks during this period because it was the one time where there was no distinction between classes.

Me and Jessica Rabbit (aka Annalisa)

On Fat Tuesday, all the children dress up in costumes and have a big party at school.  The children told me today that they ate lots of sweets (most famous are frappe-sweet pasta fried and castagnole-dough fried in oil), potato pancakes, ricotta ravioli and lasagna, among others. They throw confetti in the streets and each Saturday during the Carnival, a parade takes place.

I love that I found these neat glasses :) 

Rome was once the headquarters for Carnival. Every year, they hosted a horse race down the famous Via del Corso, but that was abolished in 1884 when an incident occurred.

Shelly won the limbo contest AND a free drink

Last Saturday, my friends and I went to a disco called, Qube.  A couple that I teach gave me a giant afro wig that they used for Carnevale last year, as well as, a "hippie" dress. Everyone was dressed up in costumes and we danced until 5am!! Never a dull moment here.

Papa Smurf and his gals 

They say that Carnevale after all, is only excess and transgression before the sacrifice of lent.

Shelly and I pre-going out 

Venice is very famous for their Carnival where the first one was recorded in 1268. Masks were seen as very transgressive and people were able to be themselves regardless of gender or social status.  Every year, millions of people visit Venice to experience a small part of what Carnival once was back in the day.

The whole gang