The teachers dressed up as crayons, and I saw many students come to school as chefs, spiderman, ballerinas, doctors, etc. Working in a school was a fun way learn more about carnaval and to get to know the students better based off of what costume they picked! Madrid didn't offer many carnaval parades with extravagant costumes, but they did have a funeral for a sardine as part of their tradition. I really mean it! They put a sardine in a casket and paraded itaround the streets of Madrid, swinging the casket around. This tradition symbolizes rebirth and transformation before the Lenten season starts. Even though this tradition might sound a little crazy, I think it's really cool how rich Spain's culture is. These carnaval traditions go back many years, and I'm glad I got to experience a little taste of it this year.
A part of Spain's social environment is how close communities are and how highly they value each other and their community. Lent is a fairly somber religious holiday, but the people of Spain come together just before it begins to celebrate together and be with each other before the Lenten season starts. These traditions involve parades and socializing with other people. Friends and families come together to play and laugh and eat great food. Spain is also deeply rooted in tradition, so these carnaval traditions go back hundreds of years. It's really fascinating to see the pride these people take in culture and tradition.
