Fat Tuesday (aka, Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras), the day before the 6+ weeks of Lent begins, means Carnaval in scattered parts of Mexico. I was supposed to be spending it on the Costa Chica — where Spanish Catholicism meets Mixtec meets Amuzgo meets Chatino meets Chontal meets Zapotec meets Afro-Mexicano — a region with some pretty unique ways of celebrating Carnaval. Alas, illness (not me) has postponed that trip until next year.
In the meantime, the show must go on! Thus, we returned to San Martín Tilcajete, one of the villages in the valley of Oaxaca, known for fantastical wood carving and surreal decorative painting, that result in alebrije and masks.
And, it’s the masks that take center stage during Carnaval.
Mexican Peso Converter
View From Casita Colibrí 
Great photos Shannon.
Thanks, Sandi!
If I was a child, I think some of these would induce nightmares!
They grow up with it and it’s all done with such joy — plus, there is always someone around to pick a child up, calm fears, bring smiles. 😉