Carnaval, El Puente Colgante, y Españoles

So this weekend it's Carnaval! I have no idea what the history or meaning behind Carnaval is..but I do know that it's basically like Halloween, but without the trick-or-treating and with more serious partying. It's fun, but at the same time strange having Carnaval fall on the same weekend as Valentine's Day...yesterday afternoon Natasha and I went to Party Fiesta, which is like a Party America here, and it was bizarre seeing Halloween masks lined up next to boxed chocolates and paper heart decorations. The festivities started last night, and we all went to a costume party, and the big day is Saturday, where there is a big parade, and the whole main street downtown turns into a big block party the whole night. The other night, as a warm up for Carnaval, our host mom treated us to a dessert they often serve during this time...turns out it was French Toast! It's crazy to see what kinds of foods are the same between Spain and America.

This afternoon, our program director, the rest of the girls, and I went to visit the Puente Colgante, which is the oldest suspension bridge in the world and is located on the river, at the mouth of the sea, between the towns of Areeta and Portugalete. It's super tall to prevent the waves from the sea from hitting it, and we took an elevator and crossed it at the very top. It was super scary, but it was really awesome seeing the whole town from so high up!

El Puente Colgante

Top of el Puente

Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to reflect on the Spanish people..or at least the people in Bilbao. When you first get to Spain, and look at the people you immediately go..Wow! I'm in over my head...the people here are dressed to perfection. The girls all wear nice boots, and cute clothes, and even during finals week when they just study at the library, their hair and make up is perfect. But when you spend a month with these people and look a little closer...there are some things very off about Spanish fashion. First of all, I don't think I've seen so many mullets in my life...mullets with dreadlocks, mullets with too much gel, mullets with an extra rat tail at the end..it's ridiculous. Also, if you're a older women, apparently the current trend is to take a piece or section of your hair, and dye it an obnoxious color, like green or purple...it's apparently a hit with the over 50 set. Also, I apparently wasn't aware that white jeans, acid wash jeans, or white pleather boots were still in fashion, but apparently it is cause I see it all over...so folks, if you have anything stored away from the 1980s...you can apparently pull them out, come to Spain, and pull off the look once again!

written by

Laura Hanson on February 12, 2010 from Bilbao, Spain

from the travel blog: Un Semestre en España

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Hi Laura! Love your comments about fashion - too funny! Watch out or your mom and I will have sections of our hair dyed wildly when you return. :)

written by Carla Petersen on February 18, 2010

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