Well in the past few weeks I've learned A LOT about Brazilian culture! One huge lesson was on the holiday of Carnaval. If you've heard anything about Carnaval, you have probably been told it is comparable to Mardi Gras. Yeah...it's not really. It is a 5 day party which ends with Ash Wednesday, kicking off Lent, but the similarities end there. Carnaval is part of Brazilian life. ALL Brazilians understand and participate in Carnaval. All Brazilians may not party in the street day and night for a week; but they embrace and participate in the holiday somehow. Nearly every store is closed during this time, because "it's Carnaval". It is a time for vacation and family, if not for drinking and carousing. It is a big concept, because I can't think of anything that ALL of America embraces as a part of the culture. Thanksgiving, maybe? Even then, most people celebrate that for one day, or one meal!
Anna Caye and I went home to Anàpolis with my roommate, Marianna for the holiday (5day) weekend. There is not a huge Carnaval celebration in her city, but we did run into an impromptu parade!
Isn't this fun? It is a river (I think) in the middle of this little touristy town, where everyone just hops in and swims! We didn't, because the water looks a bit less than clean! Apparently there are huge waterfalls and another lake (or something) with clean water, great for swimming, but that is closed off during Carnaval...too many crazies jumping to their death off the falls!
Well this is what a 12 hour bus ride will do to 2 perfectly normal girls. Yes, 12 hours on a charter bus...you think about the reality of that :)
COOL!
ReplyDeleteFor the record, the drinking and such in New Orleans, at least the extreme stuff you see on TV, is mostly done by people visiting in from out of town. Carnival (as people in new orleans actually do call it) is much like you described, including places being closed, being off of work, and not being in school. its those pesky tourists that make it seem otherwise. Ive always said that Mardi Gras (Carnival) is a family holiday... just sayin..
ReplyDeleteBUt im ALSO saying that im super glad that youre using this blog again.. i cant wait to follow up and see whats going on down there!