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From 4:00 p.m., till 8:00 p.m., la Calle Coche de Antonio was the

theater of the parade of 60 to 80 floats and groups in costumes.

The coaches, floats and costumes were obviously the fruit of inspired

talent, heightened imagination, and intensive labor. However, the

genie and the millions of dollars invested in Rio de Janeiro´s carnaval, were conspicuously missing.

The parade showcased many themes and ideas. The 100,000 or so, who gathered on both sides of the street, watched the cars, the girls, the drag queens, the kids, the decorated trucks moving in a kaleidoscope of dance and color. They appreciated motives as different as the Maya civilization, Moulin Rouge, the terrorist attack on America, and? Pepsi Cola.

After the parade, the streets remained filled until the early hours

of the morning. But contrary, to other carnaval venues, in Tenerife,

Ash Wednesday is not a holiday, Fat Tuesday is.

Therefore after a wild Tuesday night associated with a huge alcohol binge, many called the night early. They had office affairs to expedite in the morning.

However, until 6:00 a.m., Plaza de Espana held on to its music, its

dancers, its kissers, and other insomniacs of carnaval.

(The Traveller, Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2002)