Each year there is a carnival in Alicante that starts around the 2nd of February and runs for three weeks. On Saturday evening we enjoyed some of the carnival. The La Rambla and El Barrio streets were blocked off and lots of people fill the streets with unique  costume  and there was a parade, music and dancing.  We walked the Rambia Street and saw some of the locals in costumes. The street was packed with families and children all dressed up. It was like halloween with an array of different costumes. All ages take part and event some of the servers in restaurants and bars are dressed in costume. Here are a few pictures of the people on the street.

After checking out the street we stopped at a restaurant called “El Portal”. The restaurant was crowed and we could only get a seat near the bar.  We settled in at the bar for something to eat and have a drink or two. The bartender was really helpful and showed us the menu of tapas and we ordered a tapa. It was shaved cured ham and bread with blended tomatoes. That is a fairly popular tapa in Alicante. We had the tapa and a glass of wine. While we were enjoying the tapa, we had a conversation with the bartender who could speak a bit of english. He took a shinning to us and we had a nice conversation with him. After we finished the tapa we ordered another one this time it was a mini burger, also very tasty. We were having a lot of fun and enjoyed watching the people in the bar area. We chatted with the bar tender, practiced our spanish and ordered a different drink.  I can’t recall the name of this drink but it was made with vodka, rosemary, and a few other ingredients.  He claimed it was the best drink in the bar and his favourite. Once we had one we agreed it was the best drink we have had in a long time (excluding wine of course).

After our tapas and few drinks we walked back to the waterfront to catch the bus. We had a about an hour to wait for the bus, so we went and had a coffee at the local cafe. We then took the bus and headed home for the night.

Apparently when the carnival ends in two weeks there is a  ceremony called “Funeral Wake and Burial of the Sardine”. The ceremony has a parade where people wear black and carry burning candles. This signifies the end of the carnival and the death of the costumes until next year.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dias”