Well, Carnaval is officially over here-it ended yesterday at 12:00 pm. Unofficially, it's still going on through the weekend.
We attended one of the two main parades this year. It is an amazing experience that your really have to see to believe. You just can't imagine the amount of effort that goes in to these two nights-the thousands of participants, the costumes, the music. I posted about it last year when we actually participated in the parade; this year we decided to just watch. However, Ballerina girl did march, and her school took 3rd place! Way to go Ballerina Girl!
Our school (the school Guapo's company sponsored) came in 12th out of 12th, knocking them out of the big parades next year. I'm pretty sure it's because we didn't participate.
That's ok. I have a well established reputation of being a front-runner-so here I am with a friend and co-worker of Guapo's. He bought me a shirt from his school, who just happened to win last year.
My mom pointed out later that the lady on the front is naked. Nice. Probably won't be wearing the shirt that much-but it's the thought that counts-right?
And I have to mention in here, that this is the same guy that last year at the parade told me that I was, and I quote, "the best thing that's happened to the company in the last 15 years." I have no idea what that means, and he was totally drunk at the time, but when Guapo gets testy with me for whatever reason I remind him that I am the best thing that's happened to his company in the last 15 years and that he'd better watch it.
We had great seats-front row-you can see how close we were in this photo of my dad:
And, we were right in front of the final judges station, so the people were working extra hard in front of our section:
There are always rumors of judges being paid off by this samba school or that one and I found it interesting that the judges would stand and clap for things that they liked. This doesn't seem very judge-y does it???
The big floats are cool, but my favorite thing about Carnaval is sitting so close and being able to see the faces of the paraders and having them smile and wave. There are men, women, kids, adults, and senior citizens of all shapes, sizes and colors.
So here are some of my favorite pictures:
We also sat pretty close to Gisele, the world famous super model:
And this guy (I don't have a clue who he is, but everyone seemed pretty excited that he was there. Fabiola, do you know who he is?
It was a fun, long night-we didn't get home until just after 7:00 am! I am still recovering.
Have a great weekend.
Glaciers, Dogs and Salmon
5 years ago
12 comments:
I agree especially on two things...
1. I MUCH prefer sitting closer than in a box. Yes, it's nice to have the food and drink reagily available, but being closer to the action is SO much better!
2. The judges must be paid off! why? because it came down to the last judge in the last category...number one Salgueiro was already the winner...but number two Beija Flor got iffy scores by all 4 of the judges...including the last one gave them a 9.9. Then comes Portela, they had 10's by the first three judges...therefore if the last judge gave them a 10 they would have beat Beija Flor, and a 9.9 would have tied them...
well, you guess ed what they got...9.8! Totally fined
;) have a great weekend!
BG
Looks like fun. I want a shirt with a naked lady on it.
Gisele...ooo lala. I like the picture of the boy that looked like a leprechaun:)
Yesssssssssss!!! Thank you for putting these photos on the blog! It was a highlight as I read your blog last year, too. These are the brightest, most elaborate costumes--love it, love it.
Hmmm....I think that "unknown guy" that everybody was excited about, looks like he should be on a novela.
Love the naked lady t-shirt. Your pictures are awesome! And I can't believe you don't know who that guy is!! Just kidding, I don't either. He looks like a soccer player perhaps??
"...the best thing that's happened to the company in the last 15 years." Wherever Gabs goes she spreads the love :)
You guys were so close to all the action. I love all the costumes. oh I see the Men in Black.
When I was young, one of my favorite dance clubs would show video of Rio's carnival. Ah, good memories. You are so lucky.
Gisele huh. Any sign of her fiance Tom Brady? And if you don't know who Tom Brady is, you need to come back to the motherland and watch real football. On an interesting note, you saw Gisele only a few days before her big day. She was married last night: http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_02_27_Tom_Brady_and_Gisele_Bundchen_finally_tie_the_knot!/srvc=home&position=0
He looks like Cristiano Ronaldo- a footballer from Brazil- and I would feel pretty good about guessing that is who it is-
And I no sooner got of you blog, then I saw the unofficial announcement that Giselle had gotten married in L.A.- boy is she quick! of course the news has had several detailed engagement rumors that have all been false- :)
I would love to watch a parade like that! Our parades are so lame.
Good luck catching up on your sleep. :-)
wow! that looks like so much fun. I don't know if I could stay awake all night though :)
The pictures are gorgeous. It is always a nice show.
About the guy....his name is Cauã Reinold (or something close to this) and he used to work in the last novela, at Rede Globo, a Favorita.
Have a nice week and thanks for the prayers and support.
Fabiola
The pictures are simply amazing!!! I love them! I already told sidnei I wanted to go and watch the parades next year!!
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