Rain dont stop de Carnival! 27th Feb.
Monday, February 27th, 2006Yes glad I went – even though the getting there and the seating arrangements were not all they could have been. Dont go on the bus said the Lonely Planet. There was a good reason for them saying this as I now know! I was suppose dto get a bus to the Metro and then to Sambadromo, getting off at the correct station so that I was on the right side of the stadium when I approached it. So I got on a bus with a very helpful young couple, which did not go to the Metro but direct to the area of the stadium. There were many people on the bus and at one point 5 of them were discussing my route! I was put off by the conductor and waved in the general direction. On the bus were people who were not going to the Carnival but had decided to have a carnival on the bus. Mayhem! anyway I set off up the road and after an hour of walking first one way and then another I eventually reached my gate. Now I,ve been to a few pop concerts in my time and been in large crowds but nothing prepared me for the stadium – 130,000 people all lining the stadium on either side of a long narrow road in the middle. Each school has 80 minutes to get their presentation down the ´road´. Each school has about 4,000 people taking part and the costumes were absolutely stunning – and all really well made. The groups of people were interpersed with floats of such enormous proportions the mind boggled. The first school went down and then about 10.30 it rained and it realy rained! The `seats`were on concrete shelves so glad I had bought a cushion! Very expensive for a ticket for no real seat I thought. Nevertheless, my mind was distracted somewhat by the proceedings! There were people coming round all the time with beer, coke, water etc. and food. Quite an event. When it rained we all bought the plastic pull over macs and carried on! I managed to sit/stand it out until the 4th school had gone down by which time it was 3am. Four more schools were still to go down and i decided I had to go home! I got a taxi back who, knowing he had a captive market, ripped me off with a 80 Real fare (about 26 pounds)! Still I was home to my friendly hostel and I realised I was a star because the younger ones had given in and come back soon after the rain! It´s an over cast day today here so having a lazy time catching up on things like laundry – the excitement never ends here! I´ve sold my second ticket to a young man who had all his money and credit cards stolen – he will have more energy than me to enjoy it!
Chao from Rio!
Freejan