Hello hivers, I come with mixed feelings, but with the certainty that everything happens for a reason. Since I got certified as an art therapist, I have concentrated on networking and giving business form to all this, so much so that in a way I disconnected from myself, I don't know how to explain it. However, I feel that it was useful to remember and embrace again things of mine, one of them is the carnival and being part of it.
As you know I come from the east of Venezuela, Cumana, I had the joy of traveling around my country which gave me the opportunity to know how many celebrations there are, but the most special for me is the carnival, I do not know if it is because I was born during the afternoon of a carnival Saturday. I enjoyed playing with water, going out to see the comparsas, the floats and of course dressing up, I still love it. I remember when I was about 9 years old, I participated in a garden float, I was a blue butterfly, I was also a rocker, my mom showed off putting that costume together, so much that I won a prize.
When I emigrated 3 things struck me: the cold, the distance to the sea and the fact that carnivals are forbidden in Chile. For me it is not a religious question, it is part of my customs and a source of joy, because it is a date closely linked to my birthday and I love all that. I remember when I went to the ones in Callao, in the state of Bolivar, it was incredible, two days of dancing, fellowship and fun. It is like a reminder for me of the importance of colors and smiles in life.
Between studying, working and growing professionally the days go by, it is really difficult for me to socialize. My usual friends are scattered around the world, and I have been living very fast, however this year, I decided to be different and I took a few days off from work. To give structure to what I want to share, teach and help others through art therapy, so much so that I organized an event with everything, but it was suspended, it was as if everything was against me.
I felt very bad about it, just the day of the decision I saw in networks that near where I live they would make a comparsa, I was very excited and I also felt a little fear, I don't know, over the years I have become fearful or careful. I was also surprised by the date: the same day of my event. I took it as a sign, they were already telling me that vacations are for resting.
And, then last Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 3pm, I was wearing a fluorescent green shirt, black shorts and sneakers, with my cousin and nephew on my way to my first comparsa in Chile. I was very excited, not knowing what I was going to find. When we got to the avenue, the calypso led us to the meeting point.
Although there were no floats, I guess because of the restrictions, the atmosphere felt “carnestolendo”, with animations, our food, drinks and many smiling people in the same vibe. When the musicians were ready, the whole crowd gathered right behind the truck and the band to start the parade, we sang, laughed, danced, jumped, honoring the warmth of our tradition.
It was really therapeutic for me, liberating, reconnecting with that part of me and now on the eve of my birthday, it was energizing, but as in the mystical part of the heart. It leaves me with the certainty that what you have been preparing for will eventually come, maybe not in the expected way, but it will happen, in the meantime, it's okay to relax a little and dance a comparsa.
If you made it this far: thank you very much. Take that which fills you with joy as the carnival does me and enjoy it, to take up again that goal for which you prepare and work so hard. Thank you, hivers. The photos are a personal record of a redmi 13, edited in canva.