Spring in your Step

A walking celebration

The Carnival festival originated in ancient Egypt to bid farewell to Winter and welcome in Spring. 

A grand Carnival celebration also paraded down the streets of Lisbon last month.

My hairdresser initially told me about the long-anticipated festivities, and she was spending any free time she had busily preparing identical costumes. Like a second Halloween, she translated to explain the centuries-old tradition in Portuguese culture to the American comparison, only a recent export to other countries. What a lucky kid who gets to dress up for two Halloweens and gets customized costumes made by mom, and of course, we are matching, she exclaimed.

The festival was colorful and free. When traditionally celebrated, all norms and rules were suspended, and prisoners were freed for this three-day celebration. The annual equalizer and a cause worthy of celebration for all to enjoy. Spring was busting from the months of humid hibernation.

You could smell it in the blooming orange blossom buds that sprinkled the path beneath our feet as we marched along and saw exposed winter whites yearning for a tint of spring.  

The streets were buzzing the days leading up to the weekend of parades. Florescent pinks and neon yellows began popping out on posters in shop windows announcing the starting location and times.

Famously celebrated in major cities around the world, famously in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as other huge festivals in Venice, Italy, and Nice, France. An extended 3-day party leading to 40 days of lent, one final hoorah before the enforced quiet and penance. 

We set out to see the start of the festival on a quiet street and thoughts we would hear music bouncing between the windows. But as soon as we turned the corner, ceremonious chanting and singing shook the streets. A mid-afternoon delight to see. Drums were banging in unison around a group of sparky spring neon dancers on stilts. One tall sparkly rainbow cowboy hat-wearing gentleman was standing nearly a whole story higher and was stilting around decorating the crowd with his watering can of glitter. Like a real-life flowing rainbow GIF. 

The drum lines orchestrated their beats and brought the global festivities to life. The international crowd was there to celebrate and honor the traditions they know and love from their homes. 

Why is this in a walking group - well, parades are simply walking celebrations.

A walking celebration, walking with the community- even the drum lines practiced for weeks in advance. Meeting and gathering to share their traditions from Brazil to Africa, all bringing it to Portugal, back to its origin.

A parade is a fun way to enjoy walking and getting together.

Spring is a fine time for a celebration and to bring some color into your life.

Just as this walking newsletter and community have brought a pop of color into my life. Each and every walker joining from all walks of the world connect. Finding what interests me and listening to those interests led me to this newsletter. Like a pop of color during a change of life seasons.

Settling into new norms or new environments is not always a breeze. Add some spark to your creative life and put a spring in your step.

Here are a few other ways to spring ahead:

• Try a new walking route by taking the road you’ve always questioned

• Find new spring blooms, take a picture, and return when summer starts to see the growth.

• Digging up an old interest- like learning an instrument or joining an improv or comedy group.

• Join a community with similar interests. You can begin by commenting below to share about your walking!
  

Sometimes your pop of color doesn’t have to be as big and grand as a neon rainbow flowing from a sparkly watering can on stilts, but a slight change of hue can be a subtle shift to bring you through to the next season of your life.

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Thank you for supporting Walking in Lisbon! If you can join us, find us on Meetup.

Please share your journey below if you were inspired to walk solo or with a community.

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Thank you to the writing community, who support me every step of the way. Karena and Malavika Mudit in editing and refining this piece. And for every writer who continues to publish and push me to do the same.