Fat Tuesday... finally!

Fat Tuesday. The supposed last day to get your rocks off. Frankly, I can hardly wait for it to be over. I know, most people have been surprised to hear me say that I didn't really like the experience of living in Rio during Carnaval. I didn't get to see the "big show" at the Sambódromo, where the incredible, world-famous pageant takes place, and the street groups (blocos) just leave me wanting to stay home...

Some people, especially my carioca friends, wonder why I haven't been participating in all the folia (folly? for lack of a better term...). I just can't really deal with the crowds, the excessive drinking, the incredibly loud mobile speaker systems, the wet muddy streets and sidewalks (mostly rain and beer, among other liquids)... This is where I differ from my brethren. I must admit that I'm amazed at the energy and liveliness of cariocas when it comes to celebrating Carnaval. They never seem to get tired or sick of it all. I suppose that's what Ash Wednesday is for... to sleep it all off.

The little video is just one minute of a bloco passing by my apartment window. There were many others all around the city. It's been quite a noisy place since Friday the 1st of February. It looks like fun, but after 3 days of this, right outside my apartment, and I'm sure you can understand my weariness...