Welcome to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Carnival Celebrations in the Canary Islands<\/h2>\n

When I told people I was headed to the Canary Islands, most folks responded with some form of a “W” word. Where? What?<\/em> . . . and the ominous Why?<\/em><\/p>\n

Some had heard of the islands, but couldn’t quite place them. Most had not.<\/p>\n

Even as I finalized this trip from many possible choices, I wasn’t quite sure myself where or what these islands were. Or if canaries would become a dominant theme in some strange Hitchcock-like way.<\/p>\n

I flew into North Tenerife; and, for the first time in many years, I entered a new land alone\u2014one where I did not speak the language and one where I had few preconceptions.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, that’s the best way to go. Travel adventures of the memorable kind.<\/p>\n

Cymbalic travel adventures
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Becoming an Explorer<\/h4>\n

As it turns outs, the islands are a volcanic archipelago off the west coast of Africa (and one of Spain’s far-flung territories).<\/p>\n

I settled in on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the seven main Canary Islands, and my travel skills kicked in. Open eyes. Open heart. I became the ultimate explorer, as well as an astute observer. And I tried to make my brain begin to piece together the puzzle of the new language.<\/p>\n

As the journey unfolded, three travel tips came to mind\u2014all of which helped to build a foundation for memorable travel adventures.<\/p>\n

A Carnival Princess in flamboyant splendor
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

#1 \u00a0Visit a Place when Something Special is Happening<\/span><\/h4>\n

Check. One of the reasons for my visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife was “Carnival.” Many places in the world have pre-lenten carnival celebrations, from Rio de Janeiro to Venice to New Orleans and from the Americas\u00a0to Spain to Portugal to Germany.<\/p>\n

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is famous for its festival. And, although most other places are overrun with revelers, Santa Cruz seemed like a town that could handle the excitement in a relaxed way.<\/p>\n

Walk wildly and carry a sequined stick.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

I can also make a case for traveling to places when nothing special is happening and no one else is around, but, in this instance, I was ready for all that Carnival had to offer. And I was not disappointed.<\/p>\n

Why go during festival time?<\/p>\n

When there’s a celebration in town, everyone seems to be in a good mood and the spirit of community and joie de vivre<\/em> is strong.<\/p>\n

In Tenerife’s case, the locals had been preparing for the festivities for a year, ever since the day after the last carnival. Every event is a highlight.<\/p>\n

Dancing in the streets
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

The gala for the election of the queen is sold out every year. The Friday night parade lasts for more than four hours, with more than a hundred groups, all in costumes surpassing Las Vegas flamboyance and Cirque du Soleil dazzle.<\/p>\n

People dance in the streets. And, as the grand finale\u2014a unique part of Tenerife’s cultural heritage\u2014there is a procession for the Burial of the Sardine.<\/p>\n

Everyone in town is part of the fun.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

#2 \u00a0Ask the Locals “What is the most unusual thing to see?”<\/h4>\n

When exploring any new place, there are maps, guides, and virtual advisors that lead you to the traditional sites and specialties.<\/p>\n

To find the real secrets, you have to seek out\u2014ask about\u2014the unusual.<\/p>\n

The answer to this question led me to the hard-to-find, but extraordinary, exhibit of carnival queen costumes for the past 80 years, as modeled by our very own Barbie.<\/p>\n

The first carnival queen in 1935. Costumes were a bit simpler then.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

And now . . . feathers, sequins, exotic fruit, color, and dazzle.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Another answer to this question led me to the otherworldly landscapes near the Mt Tiede volcano, part of a national park and World Heritage Site. Breathtakingly beautiful.<\/p>\n

Lunar-looking landscapes formed by lava flow.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

#3 \u00a0Look Where No One Else is Looking<\/h4>\n

This third travel tip is smart advice when exploring new places and cultures, as well as when living everyday life.<\/p>\n

Look up. Look down. Poke down alleyways. Peer over walls. You never know what you will discover.<\/p>\n

On my first ramble\u00a0down to the old town of Santa Cruz, I looked up and noticed a tree warmed with a lovely knit wrap. Then another. And another.<\/p>\n

Look up . . . to see artistry in tree tops.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

The knitters’ guild in the town decided years ago to knit outfits for the trees of the pedestrian streets\u2014just to make the town prettier.<\/p>\n

Handknit “sweater” for the local trees.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

I also visited the Tenerife Symphony Hall (Auditorio de Tenerife), designed by Santiago Calatrava Valls. Like most admirers, I was struck by its clean modern lines and its purity against a very blue sky.<\/p>\n

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Symphony Hall
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

I was also mesmerized by the shimmering ocean surrounding it.<\/p>\n

Mesmerizing sparkle on the terrace of the Symphony Hall
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

But the real surprise came when I looked over the seawall to find the rocks below had been painted in tribute to musicians, past and present.<\/p>\n

I am pretty sure that most of the visitors to this majestic place miss this hidden treasure. And that’s a shame.<\/p>\n

A rocky tribute to musicians\u2014from Bach to Britney and Sibelius to Sinatra.
\u00a9 Meredith Mullins<\/p><\/div>\n

Discoveries Abound<\/h4>\n

My journey to the Canary Islands was filled with “Oh, I See” moments.<\/strong> Such is the case with unscripted travel adventures to any new and unknown place.<\/p>\n

But after a week of carnival celebrations, seeing the secret sites, and adding at least 50 new language words to my vocabulary, I felt right at home.<\/p>\n

Comment<\/a><\/i>\u00a0on this post below, or inspire insight with your own\u00a0OIC Moment\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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