Cartegena independence day celebrations

There's still more to come about Oaxaca, but right now I'm in Colombia and in the moment as November 11 is a huge holiday in Cartegena. While it is Remembrance day in Canada, in this city on the Caribbean coast it's their version of Carnival, but celebrating the city's independence from Spain in 1811. At the time an extremely wealthy city, it was the first in Columbia to break with Spain and led the way for other city states to do the same. Caracas, Venezuela was the first city in South America to gain independence from Spain.

The celebrations in Cartagena go on for about five days and culminate with the Miss Colombia pageant (which, by the way if you're trying to get tickets, is sold out). We aren't going to be here for the full throttle of partying but are having the chance to get in on some of the action.

Today there was a parade of most of the schools in the schools in the city. Each one has their own costumes and dances and parade through the old walled city accompanied by live bands or bicycles laden with second-rate but loud sound systems.

Obviously some of the kids were more enthusiastic than others but alongside all of them were teachers and/or parents who made sure they were hydrated while dancing through the streets in temperatures of about 33C with 100% humidity.

I am not entirely sure what the black-face troupe was all about. 

The grown up parade is tomorrow and apparently it's totally crazy here with most shops and restaurants in the old city closed due to how crazy it can get. Will we brave it? Or will we simply chill by the awesome rooftop pool at our hotel? It could go either way.