Monday 18 March 2024

Crete - Rethymno, Carnival, Pt 2

Picking up where I left off yesterday. The music was a constant pounding of heavy base, dance music. Mostly in English:  Rasputin, Lets go Barbie,  Hot Hot Hot, YMCA, anything you can jump up and down to. Most of the participants also had whistles that they would blow (sometimes in time to the music, mostly just randomly) and some had horns and things that squirted out foam. It was constant movement. Constant noise and a constant stream of humanity jostling and pushing along the sidewalk behind me.

The groups were usually lead by a flag bearer.


I had seen a rack of these in a store front in the old town. It got me wondering about the thousands of costumes and who designed and made them all.

I googled this and here's a link to an article about the carnival and its costumers.

https://www.athensinsider.com/rethymnon-carnival-diary/

I guess they didn't make a fish costume small enough for her.

Sometimes everyone in the group was dressed the same, sometimes there were distinctly different male and female costumes. There was always some cross dressing.





I was located near the end of the parade route and there was tired kids by the time they got to me.

Even the participants got into the picture taking, videos, selfies and some trying to talk on the phone. I couldn't hear myself think let alone hear someone on a phone!





There was lots of evidence, on the floats, that they weren't just drinking water to hydrate.

This was a creative approach, just sprayed the alcohol into her friends open mouths.

Pandas, lets all dress as Pandas.

Such a cute little Panda.

This was my favorite costume

when they jumped up and down, flapping their arms, the wings were impressive.



Banging on the drums certainly added to the noise level.

 

That's enough for one post. There will be more Carnival in the next one. It was over 2 hours long!

Sunday 17 March 2024

Crete - Rethymno, Carnival, pt 1

 The Carnival website has finally been produced in English and I have seen the preparations, so today I was pretty confident that I knew where and when it would happen. I left the house at 12, thinking that I would see the lay of the land and have lunch before staking out my spot on the parade route.

There were thunderstorms over the sea when I got up but the day had calmed to grey but no rain by the time I left the house.


There were groups of people, dressed the same, making their way into town.

The main road was blocked off just beyond the bus station.

I figured I would position myself on a bend, where I could see in both directions.

The speakers had been uncovered, ready to go.

People in costume walking and

eating. When I asked if I could take their photo he gestured to wait and then dug out the mustache. Got to have the full effect.

I walked into the old town which was way busier than I have seen it before. Hung a left and ate lunch at the place I've eaten before.

She went from table to table trying to sell people hats. When I ate at Othanos the other day they chased her out for trying to sell roses table to table.

At 1:30 I headed out to claim my spot. The music had started.


The Red Cross was ready

and they were still pouring in.


At about 2pm there were announcements over the loud speaker system. At about 2:30 a group on roller blades sort of cleared the street.

Anticipation.

Princesses on the curb.

The parade was lead by a Plymouth! Advertising classic cars for weddings.

Then a juggler on stilts.

Every one of the groups that followed had 100s of participants. I have no idea who they represented but they were all joyously clapping, dancing, singing, drinking and interacting with each other and the spectators.



I tried to get pictures of the group and also some of individuals.

I took over 350 pictures today and have deleted about a third of them. I now have to decide what gets posted here and what does not.



Each troop had a float, usually following but as the afternoon progressed the organization deteriorated.

Well that was the first troop. I think this may be a two or three episode post. I am exhausted from the noise, stimulation and standing for three hours so am going to sign off here.

Saturday 16 March 2024

Crete - Rethymno, getting ready for Carnival

 I went for a walk yesterday specifically to do some plein air painting and noticed there is a different feel about the town. There are way more tourists and walking around the old town I noticed a lot of them, pulling their "rollies", with phone in hand, looking for their accommodation. The suitcases were small so I am thinking it may just be for Carnival weekend.

I walked past the little church and considered it for a painting. No

Maybe this little grouping. No

I ended up on a bench, in the sun, with the sound of the sea below and behind me and a gentle breeze. Perfect. It was lovely to just lose myself in the scene.

I have no idea how long I painted for, it was just so pleasant.

I am happy with parts of this and can see improvements to make.

I continued walking around the fortezza. Parking was at capacity, the road was busy and the few hotels and cafes at the start of the old town were either packed with patrons or

with busy workmen.

I had read really good reviews for the Galini restaurant and when Rick went looking for it he couldn't find it. It looked like maybe the building had been sold for apartments. But when I asked the large crew of people working on it, they said it would open Saturday. I am going to have to try it. It is the #5 restaurant on Tripadvisor.


I went to Othanos for lunch (Rick and I went there twice). I had the grilled mushrooms in a cream garlic sauce (love them!) and tried the eggplant with three cheeses, grilled (I didn't love these, but you don't know until you try them. One of the cheeses had a slightly sour taste)

Like many of the restaurants, Othanos was decorated for Carnival.



It's not just the restaurants, bakeries

and stores are decorated for carnival too.

I found a street with fabric stores

and perhaps they sew the costumes too.



I can see this as a rug, I will have to find out who the artist is.


Flags and banners along the main street

and there are 2 of these in each block, looks like it is going to be loud!

It is supposed to happen at 2pm tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned.