Kiddie Carnival

Years ago I did the carnival celebration in Bahia, and I can tell you that it was one of the most exhilarating, phantasmagoric experiences of my life. I wrote a long piece about it which was supposed to be part of a book about my travels through Latin America, but it stands alone nicely now as a description of the event. I know most people rave about Rio as the place to be for Carnival, but let me tell you, Bahia is the place. But there is one thing about it: it is mostly for adults.

Which brings me to this post over at sister site Blogging Baby. Writer Karen Walrond wants you to give some thought to Carnival in a completely different place: Trinidad & Tobago. She says, and I believe her, that the party in T&T is consistently rated one of the best Carnivals in the world.  The standard Carnival fare takes place: dancing, scantily-clad women, pounding drums, and of course ample amounts of rum. But she also points out that in the week before the adult-bacchanalia explodes, Trinidad hosts a Children's Carnival. During the pre-event, children dress is colorful costumes and boogie as best babies can. There's just much less rum.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink