Being new to Tampa, a number of neighbors advised me to go attend a Halloween festival called "Guavaween" that takes place annually in Ybor City. Curious as to the "guava" reference, I was told the celebration was a kind of Cuban Mardi Gras, or something to that effect. Evidently Guavaween draws in a large crowd and is quite the thing to experience, providing you are careful. It is, after all, a wild, densely-packed gathering.

So, around 3:00 in the afternoon, I headed towards the Ybor City district and found the most inexpensive parking spot available. I knew that I was severely early, but I wanted a chance to explore Ybor City up close before it filled up with partiers.

For several hours, I wandered around and scoped out the various establishments and temporary venues that had been set up. Slowly, but surely, participants began to arrive.

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