Carnaval La Vega, Baby!

I usually don´t get into the Carnival much these days. I hate sweaty humans all mashing and grinding into me. I am always worried about getting hit by a vejiga (one of the hard bladder ball hitty things the Diablo Cojuelos carry around) and having to get a 3rd back operation without any insurance (I did have insurance but the leader of the group, Miss D. Gunter, canceled mine when I got sick..be cautious). My second Dominican family and great friends got VIP tickets from CLARO and invited me to go with them. VIP it much safer for this old Gringas aching back, so I took a deep breath and said yes, I would go. I am so happy with my decision.

A friend and Rita came and got me at 10AM and we headed out. About 20 minutes into the trip we realized the tickets were back home. We had to turn around and get them. There were a few tense minutes where some coños and other words were spoken. Then there were smiles and a kiss and all was OK.

After getting the tickets and getting back on our way next stop was Jarabacoa for lunch.



I so love Jarabacoa. The sweet country air and the views are spectacular.

Road in Jarabacoa

Road in Jarabacoa

View from the restaurant

View from the restaurant


The restaurant was one of those famous for Costillas (pork ribs) cooked on a fogón (outdoor barbecue grill). Do NOT touch those nice domed ovens. Those babies were red hot and emanating heat. Of course, we got the ribs and all the fixin’s (slang for all the assorted dishes
that would go along dinner).
Fogón at the entrance of the restaurant

Fogón at the entrance of the restaurant

Dinner

Dinner

It was heavenly. I also did a very American thing and took the left overs home. Some for me and some for the dogs. Dominicans don’t really do the leftover thing, but me, oh yea, I do leftovers. They were so yummy. Teil and Buena loved them too.

Then! We were off to Carnaval Vegano with full and content tummies.

Entrance Carnaval Vegano

Entrance Carnaval Vegano


We got the car parked and made it inside the CLARO pavilion with ease. We got into our positions, the perfect spots for prime viewing of all the craziness below.

The music was deafening. People woohooing and screaming. Lights flashing. Drinks were free so all had plenty of liquids (until they ran out later in the day). It was a party!

The music and people went into frenzy mode when the masked creatures were ready to come out of their cueva (cave). This is when the action really starts.

Banner waving and woohooing getting ready for the Broncos to exit their cave

Banner waving and woohooing getting ready for the Broncos to exit their cave

People yelling and lights flashing!

People yelling and lights flashing!


and…

and..

Los Broncos coming out of the cueva

Los Broncos coming out of the cueva


More cave fun

More cave fun


I decided to go outside to see what was happening. I didn’t stray far from the entrance to the pavilion where I was because I didn’t want to get into the crowds of humans and take a chance with my old gal buttox. This is what I saw.

Carnaval Vegano streets

Carnaval Vegano streets

A sea of swirling humanity.

Costumes from afar

Costumes from afar

Humans and more humans everywhere.

Humans, humans and more humans

Humans, humans and more humans

There were colorful humans.

Colorful Humans

Colorful Humans


There were hugging humans.

Hugging Humans

Hugging Humans

There were fast moving creatures.

Fast moving creatures

Fast moving creatures

There were cute half human half diablo thingys.

There were cute half human half diablo thingys

There were cute half human half diablo thingys

There were dirty little mudmen boys strolling around.

There were dirty little mudmen boys

There were dirty little mudmen boys

This is this years mask of Los Broncos.

This is this years mask of Los Broncos

This is this years mask of Los Broncos


It was a great day. Thanks Rita and friend for inviting me.

Juan Carlos, Rita and me. La Vega Baby!

Juan Carlos, Rita and me. La Vega Baby!

For information about the Carnaval Dominicano, history, creature explanations, pictures, videos and more.

4 thoughts on “Carnaval La Vega, Baby!

  1. Left an earlier comment. Just discovered your blog. Was wondering what made you decide to move to the DR.

    • I moved here because I liked it. No life-enlightening reason really. I just liked it and decided to try and live in a different country. I’ve been here 14 years now.

      • Sounds good. As for myself I was born in Santiago and my family moved to NY in 1962. Finally decided to come back home on a permanent basis about 3 years ago. Happy……….

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