La Palma, one of the smaller and prettier of the Canary Islands, is quite a quiet place throughout most of the year, up until Carnival time, that is. The festivity has developed around Los Indianos - those who emigrated from the island, made their fortunes and returned to their subtropical home. White suits and colonial gear are worn and there are servants, parrots and other examples of yesteryear displayed in humorous parody of times gone by. A Native American parade snakes its way through the streets to Salsa Latin rhythms. The main event, though, and the most eagerly anticipated is the very strange 'Batalla de Polvos de Talco', in which some 5,000 kilos of talcum powder are discharged through a variety of weaponry onto the revellers, and any hapless passers-by. This takes place on Carnival Monday, two days before Ash Wednesday, a date which varies each year. Tourists attend in huge numbers - and provide excellent targets.

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