Day 117

Buzios, Brazil

Today we just hung around our Pousada, the lovely Villa Bambuti. After two days of traffic, swiming and reading in this lovely setting atop the hill, overlooking the bay.....seemed like all the excitement we needed. And after 117 days of foreign language...it was a pleasure to just sit around and chat in English with our sweet hosts, Debbie and Louis.

This pousada realy starts to feel like visiting good friends. Everyone hangs our and tells stories.....its a nice change from being in hotels.

Bryce enjoyed it because the Pousada has a two year old German Shepherd who at first looks quite opposing, but turns out to be quite sweet.

It was hysterical.....the dog has a terrible fear of drowning and I think Bryce raised him into quite a tizzy by spening two hours in the pool. Poor, Zulu spent the whole two hours trying to pull him out of the water and "save him from danger."

But, alas......I am telling you about the boring part of our day......

LAST NIGHT WE FINALLY MADE IT TO CARNIVALE!

And I can honestly say......it was worth the traffic! Buzios was the perfect place for us to imbibe in this Brazilian tradition. Itsthe kind oftown where bringing your purse and camera to the party is a good idea....not a dangerous one. Its the kind of town where Carnivale is a family event and despite all the crowds and insanity....it is friendly, safe, and fun.

So....here is the gist of how it works. Starting around midnight various bands and dance groups parade up and down the main street. As a party-goer...you have two choices:

Join the masses dancing behind the parade...or stand on the side lines to drink and take pictures.

We did a little of both. The first event we joined was the childrens parade. Note: This is NOT a good event for cameras, hairdos, or my dryclean only shirt.

Essentially the band marches playing samba music and all the kids are placed on shoulders to follow down the street where guys on the side lines pass them rigged bottles of shaving cream and silly string with which they douse the crowd. As you can imagine.....Bryce thought this was the BEST thing ever!

The next event we partook in was the Dancing Girls Parade. Here, beautiful women dance down the streets in the traditional Carnivale costumes, while onlookers toss water to them....and on them. The object is to get "laid" by one of the girls.....to which I did succeed.

There are also all sorts of traditional bands representing the customs and commerce of Brazil. Religious bands, samba bands, jazz, rock, country, blue-grass.....its a virtual maddness of music and dancing. Everyone was so happy! So friendly! And so interested in making sure everyone in attendance was having the time of their lives. There was not one person in town who was not egar to take photos, dance together, pass out drinks and gifts and just generally share the merriment.

All I can say is "You have to go to Carnivale in Brazil.!" It really wil be the best party you ever attend.

Second to the shaving cream parade....Bryce loved all the girls:

Rich loved the girls too: And I loved the boys? Girls? It all gets a little confusing down there!

About 2am....just when the party was getting started, we decided we better take Bryce home.

But, quite possibly....Bryce was taking us home.....I think he could have gone all night. Rich and I are just too old for this stuff!