I could feel the soap melting in my ears, after the vicious attack of el diablillos (aka “the little devils”) as we wandered into an unexpected battle zone.  Carnaval had begun! ☺

Evelyn had seen some barricades going up earlier today on Parque Calderon.  After dinner at Cesar’s (a friend’s restaurant around the corner that is closing after tonight while he finds a new location), we decided to head over to the park to see what was going on.  We had thought that Carnaval would start Sunday, but found ourselves in Ground Zero of a war zone, designated as the start of Carnaval 2014! (Technically Carnaval is this coming Sunday through Tuesday, but you wouldn’t know it from the roving squirt guns already on the streets!)

According to el Mercurio (the local Cuencano newspaper) this was “ ‘Jueves de Compradre’ (Godfather Thursday)  This celebration is part of a plan to rescue the traditions of Carnaval and strengthen tourism.  One of the big things will be the sale of cans of spray foam.”

Vendors were prowling the park selling variants of “Silly String” that were used by young and old alike to attack anyone within range, inundating them with Carnaval Madness.

Kids were forgiven bedtimes to stay up and attack all comers with all brands of Carnaval Silliness soapy spray.

Various groups presented cultural origins of the holiday, while rock groups played in front of soap-sprayed crowds

Groups of friends enjoyed the party, attacking and then posing for any nearby camera

“Castles” were loaded with fireworks, and young friends would then pose within a few yards of the burning fireworks

Some of the Castle fireworks were then shot overhead, where they rained down on the crowds (I have several nasty burns in my jacket as proof…)

The “Victims” of the attacks seemed to be having as much fun as the attackers… and they were often the same people… ☺