Montanita for Carnaval

I arrived in the beach, surf town of Montanita last Tuesday. Town was ramping up for Carnaval then, and for the last 4 nights this place has rocked ALL night long.

The beaches were packed, PACKED with people. At night the 5 blocks or so that make up the dusty town of Montanita became a moving throng of people. Latin and techno music blared from out from all of the restaurants and bars. Street vendors from all over South America selling their jewerly clogged the sidewalks. Craziness. Fire dancers were out, saw some women in costumes and body paint that were very cool. It was like a mini mardi gras. The town ran out of hotel rooms. I was glad I got here when I did and got my room (which is very nice) but it went from $15 to $40 for the weekend.

The beach has awesome waves, but that is about the only thing worth mentioning. It´s located in a dry, barren dessert. There is nothing pretty to see either way, although the town is cool, almost Disney like, as restaurants and hotels, all bamboo, are stacked on on top of each other. Most have 2 or 3 floors.

Umbrellas on the beach can be had if you get out early enough. Although, many families made their own shade with 4 large sticks and a sheet, that was cool. Many, many people put up tents as well. It´s hot, really hot here. I won´t miss that.

I´ll be here another couple of days, before moving along. I´ll be heading to Peru eventually, in about 2 weeks or so.

Adios for now! Love to everyone.