Samba dance on streets

Feb 25

I go to Ipanema Beach to join Carnaval celebration activity there. I meet a brazilian man, of his 50s, with his 3 female friends. At about 5 in the afternoon, people are coming to the streets. There are lots of man dressing up and wearing make-up like women. My brazilian friend can tell which countries these gays come  from.

Patrick, you are now samba dancing.

I do not bring with my large camera but a DC only coz I was told it is not safe to travel there with valuables, including watches. Feel much relaxed to go out this way.

Later, we head to the beach. When a samba school team shows up, people begin to cheer, shout and dance. The street next to the beach is packed not only with tourists but also locals, some of them with families. People here take the chance to relax and enjoy the festival.

All my brazilian friends and people around know samba dance. I try to learn it but it is hard for me to do it with such limited time. Anyway, just dance and enjoy it, not caring it is samba dance or not.

Feb 26

I was told there will be a morning Carnaval activity near Central at 8:30. But i get up late and get there at 10:00. What i can find is empty streets with tonnes of garbage. I thought the parade has started and left to the destination. So i take metro to go to the destination. There is no parade either but stalls that are ready for the activity in the afternoon.

I meet a brazilian couple who are the owner of a stall here, and also their friend. I stay there for the whole afternoon to chat and sing with them. Most importantly, I have my samba dancing class here. I really want to learn it coz brazilians dance so well and i like to integrate into their culture and to be part of them. They teach me with lots of patient. You know i am not good in dancing. We start from basic steps. I keep practicing even when sitting down to have rest. Gradually, I get the rhythem and can dance faster. Finally, I can samba dance. My friends are surprised -- Patrick, you are now samba dancing. The real samba dance should include the upper body movement. My brazilian friend can move its waist and chest very nicely. I think this is the second class of samba dance. I would leave it to the future.

A stage nearby is playing samba music. My friends and I dance in front of their stall, with some other local brazilians. People enjoy dancing with the music in the Carnaval.

At about 7 at night, i leave. My friends give me a little guitar toy with flashes of 3 light bulbs of different colors as a souvenir. I tell them I will think of them whenever i see samba dance.