Feb 2008

PUT YOUR HANDS UP FOR RIO! I LOVE THIS CITY!!!

The partying here never stops. Literally. And, if it does... who cares, because there will be another Bloc party or Lapa street party starting around the corner! Even parties in places with random interior decorations:

To make the most of it, I have come up with a new rule.... "Sleeping is Cheating"

For those of you who know me, you would think I would struggle with that... but the adrenaline carries you through.
It is only when you sit down that it hits you...

... especially if you choose to sit down leaning against the doors on a busy train...you then fall to sleep... and then the doors open!

It really hits you hard then (the ground that is)!

Ouch.

Funny for you... not funny for me!

Before falling to sleep on the train, I did manage to try on a wicked costume... check out this little monster:

CARNAVAL SAMBADROME 2008

Think rocking rhythmic music. Loud.
Think large lavish colourful costumes.
Think rain. Lots of rain.
Loving the rain, seriously!

Think those things and you still won't have the measure of Carnaval 2008, even if you picture what you already know about it.

Think about the place where you have seen the most people you have ever seen in one place, partying and celebrating. Times it by 10 and I dont think you will still be at the level of the Sambadrome in Rio.

People

Even with all of the processions, the Carnaval experience for me is about the people you party with around you.
The locals - supporting their dance schools. (These people take it seriously. I heard that last year the dance instructor from a school was shot because he did not lead his team to a win!!!)

Those in costume:

Chanting with the BotaFoga football fans & putting the BotaFoga diamonds in the sky!

BotaFoga Bota BotaFoga!!!!

And your Carnaval buddies from the hostel:

Ooh... and when there is a "girl" checking you out, you should look twice before you choose to dance with her!!!

Bang Bang Bang... I bet that you look good on the dance floor....

The next night we went to a party in the area next to the Sambadrome...

The live music was banging, and there were easily 1,000+ people dancing... mostly Sambarific Brazillians...

Then there was me. Slightly under the influence of Mucho Cervesa!

I think I bonded with a big group of them... since they laughed very hard with / at me (delete as appropriate once you read on).

They showed me their moves... I copied. They laughed. Lots.

So, I busted the bestest Bees moves I could. They laughed. Even more than before!

I know it was all a front... I could tell by their eyes that they could not wait to try out my chicken dance at home!!!!

Conclusion

Beer 10 Reals
Carnaval Entrance 80 Reals
Teaching Brazillians the Chicken Dance Priceless

Recommendation

Everyone should party at the Rio carnaval at least once in their lifetime. JFDI!

Appendix:

Jees, I think I slipped back into work mode there for a second... conclusions, recommendations... time for an afternoon beer to get that out of the system!!!!

Maracana next! The highlight of my trip so far....

Samba Killing, Chicken Dancing, Bees Out!