After an unsuccessful couchsurfing attempt (i.e. nobody responded to our messages) we found ourselves in Cordoba without a place to stay. Rather than rough-up another hire car on the narrow streets of an old Spanish city whilst trying to find a hostel, we checked into a cheap (read: gnarly) hotel on the outskirts of the city.

It was already late afternoon by the time we walked into town and so we chose not to try and rush through the city’s main tourist site: The Mesquita. Instead, we wandered the little streets to suck in the ambience, stopping off for a herbal tea along the way.

We happened upon a gathering crowd who, unbeknown to us, were waiting for the local carnival to kick-off. For an hour and a half, bright costumes, music and comedy paraded through the main street to their adoring fans (some of which, were also in costume).

Star of the show was the rather mature carnival queen who lead the floats wearing little more than a handful of sequins stitched together only to cover her most private of parts (see photo).

We finished a fabulous day with a Paella (which, by the way, was rubbish).

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