The origin of Carnaval comes from the tradition that no parties are to be held during Lent. The holiday is was sort of like a final celebration. In these modern times Carnaval gives us a chance to shed our normal for a while and just hang loose and have fun. Its a time for family a friends to stay up all night and drink a little more than usual.

Its not just food and booze though- in Madeira you will find local dance and music schools performing in the main parade held on the 21st this year. The music is spectacular and the dancing is beautiful. Amazing costumes and dresses make the dancing all the more exciting. Those not participating in the main parade can join in the fun the on the 24th when they have the Peoples Parade. Be sure to be there and have a good laugh with fun costumes and music.

My only hope for this year is that it doesnt rain like last year. See you there.

Curral das Freiras will celebrate this day with the 21st Annual Festa da Castanha/Chestnut Festival. Traditional music and dances will be performed and visitors can sample roasted chestnuts served by the various vendors in this small town. These chestnuts are hand picked and dry roasted with salt, making the perfect hot snack for this time of year. For those watching your weight this time of year you can relax a bit knowing castanhas contain very little fat and are chock full of vitamins C and B6 and are also a good source of potassium. If nuts aren’t your thing there are many other seasonal foods to sample at the Chestnut Festival- sopa de trigo/wheat soup, apples, pears, and other locally grown produce.

View from the lookout above Boca da Corrida

The holiday of Todos os Santos is a day for honoring all saints, known and unknown. Children celebrate Todos os Santos as Pão-por-deus. Pão-por-deus is like the opposite of America’s Halloween, here children venture out in groups and recite versus from the good book and sing songs to receive bread (pão), dried fruits, and chestnuts. I personally prefer this to the corporation controlled tradition of making or buying expensive costumes and candy, then having ungrateful children show up on my doorstep demanding candy.

View from above of Curral das Freiras

Anyways now you have a place to be on November 1st and a day off from work. See you there.

The best part of these events in my opinion is the food. Espetada is the most popular dish in these events, followed by Bolo do Caco, BBQ chicken and of course the typical home made wine. Delicious!!!!

After you’ve built up an appetite by going from house to house enjoying the various homemade wines, find a place selling the best meat and get it ready on a stick (yes, a stick). Some houses will have the meat to sell, once you get your meat its time to BBQ. You will by this time have noticed the open fires in the area, you’ll be sharing one of these with other people. Take this opportunity to meet others and have some interesting conversations(especially if you don’t speak Portuguese. Many of the people you meet will have travelled around the island and know when and where all the good festivals. Talk to them and find out what you will be doing next week!