Page 81 - Off the Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 1 of 2)

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FESTIVALS AND PARTIES

ABOVE Buddhist monks carrying offerings in honor of Guru Padmasambhava during Paro Tsechu, Bhutan
RIGHT An extravagantly costumed dancer at the spirited samba celebrations of Boi-Bumbá, Brazil

PARO TSECHU, BHUTAN Every March, monks in bright and often fearsome costumes BOI-BUMBA, PARINTINS, BRAZIL Even by Brazil’s ecstatic standards, the Boi-Bumbá of
perform a series of dances over five days to the sound of flutes, cymbals, and trumpets, northeastern Brazil, held over three days in June, is a frenzied celebration. Retelling a
cheered on by Bhutanese families dressed in their finest traditional clothing. The festival local legend about the death and resurrection of an ox, the festival pits two rival samba
honors Guru Padmasambhava, a Buddhist teacher and guide, and the dances tell stories schools against one another in Parintins’ vast arena, the Bumbódromo, which holds nearly
from his life, depicting a host of gods and demons and the triumph of joy and religion 40,000 people. Every night the schools, divided into their rival colors of blue and red,
over evil. It all culminates on the final day with the unrolling, at dawn, of the elaborate try to outdance, outplay, and outdress each other in a spectacular 3-hour display
silk Thangka, a vast religious scroll from which worshipers seek a blessing. complete with extravagant costumes, elaborate floats, and a steamy, joyful atmosphere.

TOONIK TYME, IQALIT, CANADA As the ONAM, KERALA, INDIA Kerala is at its loveliest during the ten-day festival of Onam
Arctic winter recedes, this week-long festival (Aug–Sep), its trees brimming with fruit under warm sunshine. This is an inclusive,
in March celebrates the coming of spring. secular event that honors King Mahabali who, it is said, ruled over a period of happiness
The community gathers to fish, hunt, and and prosperity in the region. It brings out all the spectacle of Keralan culture: courtyards
compete in snowmobile and dog-team are dressed with floral carpets, there are costumed dances and sports, and chanting
races, and evenings are spent eating and oarsmen steer a popular Snake Boat Race along the Pampa River. Onasadya, a nine-
drinking to the sound of local music. course feast served on banana leaves, showcases the region’s delicate and varied cuisine.

FIESTA DE SANTO TOMAS, WINTER FESTIVAL, QUEENSTOWN, ST. PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL, EASTER, KALYMNOS, GREECE Easter
CHICHICASTENANGO, GUATEMALA NEW ZEALAND Far from hibernating, MINNESOTA, USA St. Paul’s carnival was celebrations here are varied and elaborate,
Come December, the blazing colors of Queenstown greets its winter (Jun–Jul) born in January 1886, in defiance of an starting on Holy Friday with a candlelit
Chichicastenango market reach their with a ten-day jamboree attracting allegation made by a New York reporter procession that follows flower-decked
zenith. Villagers from the highlands pour 60,000 party-goers. It combines that the city in winter was “unfit for human “epitaphs,” symbolizing Christ’s tomb, to
into town, all in distinct traditional dress. eccentricities such as the Birdman and habitation.” An intricate ice castle is built, the cathedral for a celebratory Mass. On
Clouds of incense and deafening bangers Dog Derby with Mardi Gras parades, and each year a king and queen are Saturday a feast of lamb stuffed with rice
accompany a parade in honor of the fireworks, live music, and comedy. The crowned and parade through the city. and liver is prepared and, at midnight,
patron saint, and plenty of drinking, party continues on the slopes with snow There are skiing and bobsledding contests, the church bells ring out and dynamite is
dancing, and falling over is enjoyed by all. mountain-biking and night skiing. toboggan slides, and snow sculptures. lit on the mountains behind the port.

CALLE OCHO LATINO FESTIVAL, DEAD RAT BALL, OSTEND, BELGIUM TET FESTIVAL, VIETNAM Tet celebrates
MIAMI, USA Every year in mid-March, Headdresses, 4-inch heels, feathers, and Chinese New Year (late Jan), and is a time
Miami’s “Little Havana” district is given sequins: an unexpected find in a 1950s for Vietnamese families to get together
over to a huge street party celebrating red-brick casino in Ostend. This and feast. The streets glow pink with
Latino culture, music, and dance. Stages burlesque festival was established by flowering peach trees – a symbol of new
on the streets showcase salsa, merengue, local artist James Ensor in the late 19th life and good fortune – and stalls sell
reggaeton, and jazz, and tempting smells century after a visit to the Rat Mort sweets, kumquat bushes, fruit, and flowers,
of tamales and arepas waft from sizzling Cabaret in Paris, France. Some 2,500 turning the city into a riot of color. There
stalls. There are cook-offs, sporting events, visitors of all ages converge each March are fireworks and parades, and firecrackers
and a popular domino tournament. to dress up around an annual theme. are thrown to ward off evil forces.

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