Foreign Lauren: Carnaval!

Last Tuesday our school celebratred Carnaval, or better known as Mardi Gras. Because the actual day was during holiday, the school celebration was set for the first Tuesday after break. For this long-anticipated day, everyone dresses up, it's a lot like Halloween but not so creepy. We had spent the weekend getting our costumes finished up. I went as a cheerleader, or as a "pom-pom girl" as they say in french, Elisa went decked out in American flag wear, and Ludovic went in Clemson football attire. I felt a little funny walking to school that morning with my pompoms but I got fewer funny looks as I got closer and joined the rest of the costumed school. It was great seeing everyone dressed up, hippies, boys in skirts and makeup, cowboys, a few LMFAO robots, waldos, and a bajillion other stuff.

We went to classes as normal until 4:00, when everyone gathered in the common area for a little show. Each class paraded in front of the school, with judges deciding on the best dressed class. Then individual people or small groups could perform. There were a couple groups that danced, others paraded in their matching costumes. It finished off with awards to the best dressed guys and girls, with prizes of giftcards or cookies or coca-cola.

The thing I loved most was seeing the entire school do something together (almost everyone participated). Remember that schools here don't have football games, school colors, spirit days, mascots, school t-shirts or pep rallies. I was craving some school unity! It was fun to do something different at school, and I had a totally great time. Here's some photos if you haven't yet seen them on Facebook.