Whenever I hear certain words, I am instantly transported to exciting destinations. For example, I hear “sand” and am in Egypt, standing in the shadow of the enigmatic Sphinx. I listen to conversations about hiking and am back on the Inca Trail!
But the word that transports me more than any other has to be Carnival!
I am immediately back on my travels through Latin America and about to witness the largest party in the world. There can only be one Carnival for me. And it is held in the marvellous city of Rio de Janeiro.
I didn’t know how the night or the weekend would turn out when I signed up to attend this party. You never do. All I knew then was a massive procession with all these floats, loads of dancing and as little clothing as possible. I knew it would be a legendary night, but I didn’t think it would be in my Top three Nights.
We arrived in Rio at the end of our two-week tour, during which we saw some of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. This city was preparing for their best Carnival, and everyone was excited. How excited? Well, let’s just say that if you needed to do some banking or see a Consulate for a Visa extension, good luck because the way I saw it, the only open shops were little stalls selling water, beers, and some goodies. The entire city shuts down during these 5 days, and you just have to go with the flow and…do as the Cariocas (residents of Rio) do and party.
What exactly is Carnival, and how did it become the world stage for a fantastic party?
It is a massive four-day festival ahead of Lent, sort of a way to let loose and go all out. Friday night is usually reserved for the younger children and the Access Groups, which include Samba schools and residents. Tourists can also attend Friday night events. The parade celebrates the Samba schools.
Our schedule for the carnival meant we were going to the festival on a Sunday night, and we had all day Friday to Sunday to see all of Rio.
We got there on Friday night, so we did what Rio is known for on a Friday night – we went to Lapa and enjoyed the street party. We headed over to the Arches of Lapa, and the night began. There was so much music in the air, but I have to tell you, you need to be careful. My tip for a good night out means ONLY bring what you need. This means you only have to get the money you need for the night, a photocopy of your passport, and a hotel card, and that is it. Do not bring any valuables. The streets are very crowded, and there is always the risk of pick-pockets, as in any major city.
The next day, many of my fellow travellers joined Tucan Travel’s Rio Carnival package people and went about to do some sightseeing. Most chose to do a Favela Tour in the morning after a hearty breakfast buffet. Did you know Brazil is the only country where they will set up a separate table with desserts for breakfast?? After the favela tour, many chose to do the city tour, which included the Sugar Loaf for sunset, which was a phenomenal experience.
Finally, the day has arrived. Sunday would be a great day, and we would all dance the night away. Well, we had no choice. We planned to meet around 7:30 pm at the lobby, and there is a reason for that. You see, everyone, and I mean everyone, is out partying on the streets, known as blocks. So, a taxi, bus, or any transport to move 150 people from one hotel to the Sambadrome is as feasible as me swimming from Havana to Miami. So we did as the Cariocas did and walked to the Sambadrome to prepare for our night.
Our walk was great! So many people were on the streets; the party had been going on since noon, and we were just about to start! It didn’t take very long before we ended up at the actual sight, the main stage, where we were among the 90,000 in attendance, all here to admire one of the great spectacles life offers.
We decided to hit a local bar first since we arrived at the stage just before 9 p.m. After a couple of killer caipirinhas, the night was young, and so were we, and we were ready to be in the spotlight. We walked to Gate 13; along the way, we found some leftover pieces from the parade and dressed them to fit in.
As soon as we walked in, it was a free-for-all. The entire section 13 was just vibrating! On our left-hand side, there was a sea of hands in the air, and no one was sitting down. On our right was the famous pasarela, or the parade avenue, where thousands and thousands of Cariocas will be living many of their dreams in front of thousands of spectators and being seen by millions worldwide.
We managed to grab a few spots along the bleachers, where we will have our view throughout the spectacle.
The way Carnival is set up is unique as well. Many samba schools from Rio compete for the grand prize of bragging rights upon being crowned the Champion of Carnival. Each school presents about 4000+ participants, who, in 90 minutes, will try to impress the judges as they all sing, dance (think choreography), and smile for the entire ½ mile parade.
Each school presents a theme, with elaborate customs and impressive floats. Some schools have up to eight floats and over 4,500 participants who give their hearts out to be part of a night they will never forget.
Now, you need to know this party starts after 9:30 pm; by the time all the schools parade through the pasarela, and it’s all set and done, you are looking at finishing up around 7:30 am. The reason is that during the summer months of February and March, it is way too hot to do this during the day. So, if you like going to bed around 10:00 pm, you will need about two espressos and two açaí shakes laced with guarana to get you to stay up for the entire night.
You can purchase food (burgers), beers, water, etc., at the venue. So, you must have a proper dinner before pulling an all-nighter.
I have to tell you, I thought Carnival was going to be something else, and was I wrong about this?! It was a fantastic night with good people, great music, perfect weather, and many happy Cariocas singing for 90-minute rounds. It was such a fabulous night that I will most definitely never forget.
About the Author: Tony is a Sales and Marketing Executive for Tucan Travel. He has extensive experience leading tours in most of the Company’s popular destinations. You can find him on Google+ or read his other contributions here.
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