carnaval!

Because we're such an eclectic mix of people, we celebrated Mardi Gras at the office today with lunchtime festivities (where they served Greek food -- go figure.) The oasis (a.k.a. pantry) was cheerfully decked with banderitas, masks, paper pineapples, Mardi Gras beads (those beads men give to women in exchange for flashing themselves!), noisemakers, and Joao Gilberto blasting on a CD player.

Did you know that Mardi Gras is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday? It's the last day before Lent starts, so people try to get all the sinfulness out of their system -- hence all the wild merrymaking. (Ah. That explains all the flashing! :P) I wonder why we don't have it in the Philippines.

And just to share my favorite picture of the day... don't you think we look like a Benetton ad? Ehe.