Carnaval in sleepy San Ignacio Mini

We knew something was up when the hotel room starting vibrating and we heard the distant thump of a bass.

We’d arrived in San Ignacio Mini at about lunchtime. This sleepy little town on the road to Iguazu falls has but one attraction – the ruins of a 16th/17th century Jesuit mission – which can be seen in a couple of hours. After that, there’s nothing. The streets are empty, except for the usual canine posse lazing in the shade. The restaurants shut as soon as the tour buses leave. Absolutely nothing else to do, but resign yourself to a quiet night in. Or so we thought …

The ruins of San Ignacio Mini

The thumping started at about 11pm. At midnight, we heard drums, some samba beats, and some old dude singing bad country pop songs. When we popped our heads out of our room half an hour later, the street outside was teeming with people and sequins. Foam-covered kids ran past squealing. Carnaval had arrived in San Ignacio Mini, and we’d almost missed it! This certainly wasn’t Rio but it was as close as we were going get. We headed out, grabbed a couple of tickets and claimed a place along the parade route. Within seconds, we were attacked by a couple of kids brandishing cans of spray foam. I copped an ear full. Carl got it in the back. Other people wiped foam from their empanadas, and the parade got under way.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no prude. Samba is samba, and carnaval is all about wearing as little as possible and shaking your booty to the beat. Normally we'd be all for it. But in these parts, the average age of dancers in the parade was about eight, and some are even younger. As they samba-ed their way down the street in teeny weeny sequined g-strings and the crowd cheered, we didn't know where to look. We couldn't help thinking that this would be illegal in some countries ...

PS. We forgot the take our camera out so no photos of the parade, but its probably better that way!