February 6, 2008
We started Brazil off with more than a bang-we walked around Salvador all day yesterday and watched some of the Carnaval floats. The humidity and heat wore us out so around 4:00 in the evening we went in for a little nap... woke around 6, ate dinner and got ready to begin the night.
Carnaval was crazy! We bought $140.00 t-shirts so we could walk with the Fat Boy Slim Float in the parade. It was the most expensive t-shirt i have ever and will ever buy, but it was more than worth it! Our night started around 8:30. Beer was only 1R (which is about 70 cents) a can, so of course we couldnt pass that up! The parade didnt start until 10:30 so we mingled with tons of people from all over the world. Lots of Australians, Brits, and local Brazilians. By the time the DJ (Fat Boy Slim) got started the crowd was already bumpin'!
For hours we paraded down the streets singing and dancing like mad people. We were drenched in sweat, beer, tequila, water, anything and everything. It was like Mardi Gras times 1 million (no joke). The few breaks to go squat on the beach and release ourselves were an adventure in themselves. And my friends thought it would be really funny to pick me up and throw me in the ocean with all of my clothes and shoes on. Oh joy was that fun! Instead of throwing beads you kiss the men on the cheeks and they give you some, but after watching my friend's who had to run before being forced to make out with them, I figured I was fine without the beads.
The experience was just amazing and nothing I can write will do it justice. They say it is the biggest party in the world and that's an understatement. Thousands of people roped in for just one float, hot and sweaty, dancing and jumping, screaming at the top of our lungs. Music blaring, people cheering. I had such a blast and was in awe the entire time. The whole night we all just looked at each other and had to remind ourselves that we really were in Brazil celebrating Carnaval!
Around 3:30 AM we got slightly tired of dancing and decided to get a cab back. It wasn't too easy though with our limited amount of cash and how far from the ship we were, but after a little walking and bargaining we made it.
We showered with our clothes on and collapsed into bed around 4:30. It was a night I will surely never forget.
We woke up this afternoon around 1:00, just in time for lunch on the ship. Then we went around town and shopped a little and watched the sunset from the top of the city.
For dinner we went to a Brazilian Steakhouse-60R for all you can eat fresh cut steak. All different types, it was a meat lover's heaven and a vegetarians hell. Prime Rib, Top Sirlioin, Filet, Lamb, Chicken Hearts, Salmon, Pork and more (on Ash Wednesday). On top of the meat was a huge buffet of all different kinds of side dishes. And for dessert-fried bananas! It was definitely a meal worth writing about. Oh and they give you espresso after the meal (a traditional Brazilian meal).
Fun Facts: Population was a little less than half a million during the 50's in Salvador, Brazil and now is over 3 million which doubles during Carnaval.
-There are slums and nice parts in Brazil, but their way of thinking is not to move up into the better parts, but to better their way of life. They work together to add to their community.
-We don't wear ANY jewelry, tight clothes or flip flops here. We wear money belts, tennies and lose t-shirt. And we always walk with boys.
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2 comments:
When I read this I cried, but what doesn't make me cry? Carnival sounds incredible! Miss you like crazy and think about you always.
This blog thing is new to me, but I am on top of it now!
Hey...you wearing my money belt gurl! AHHH! I want to go! Sounds like my kind of thang! I am so so jealous. I decided to go to Santiago, Chile for spring semester 2009-it is their winter so I am going to ski. I can't wait. I love you! I am glad you are having a good time, but yet again, you do not write about the bad (hopefully because it doesn't exsit, but if it does, everything will be fine because you are the BOMB!)
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