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(note: this is one of my pre-scheduled posts set to appear at 5:00am EST each morning I am in a port city. I will post follow-up information about each trip once I am able to get back on the computer.)
This is the trip I will be going on today...
Afternoon Camarote - Carnival Viewing in Style and Comfort (Time: 1300 - 1800)
Description:
If you love the energy of it all but feel a little daunted by the sheer scope of the event, then this option may be just right for you.. Camarotes are fully-structured viewing areas, offering bar, snack and bathroom facilities as well as entertainment during lulls in the parade. This option offers a secure, comfortable means of watching the action on the street. Travel by motorcoach or van to the closest access point, then walk to the chosen camarote. Access to the camarote will involve a walk of approximately one kilometer. A guide and security personnel will accompany the group at all times.
This afternoon program is based at "ground zero" of Carnival, at the downtown area where the actual judging of the Trio Electicos and Blocos are done, and where the bands really rev it up, trying hard to make their best effort for the judges. This downtown scene differs from the more tropical Ondina beach area where the other camarotes are located, in that the activities are mainly based during the afternoon; so, be sure to pack sunscreen! The best of the Carnival acts go by here: Yvete Sangalo, the undisputed queen of the Carnival; Chiclete com Banana, and international recording star Daniela Mercury, the prima dona of the event. (PRICE: $200.00)
Some links relating to today's trip...
Update:
Not a ton to report today. I was up late again last night because I couldn't get to sleep and then just went to eat breakfast. I sat with some of the "lifelong learners" (a handful of mostly senior citizens who pay to go on this trip - I guess anyone who has the money and time to join the trip can go as a lifelong learner - I think there are about 17 of them total on this trip and I think one woman doing it is only 28, but most of them are in their 70s and 80s) because they were the only ones up and at breakfast at that time (around 7 am when they began serving breakfast) and I learned there that apparently some girls from the ship were robbed at knifepoint yesterday when they went off on their own. I didn't get the whole story, but essentially I think one of the tour buses that was leading a group of people from the ship on a tour saw the girls and then gave them a ride back to the ship.
That is Brazil though - there is high crime in cities because this country has the biggest disparity between the wealthy and the poor than any other country on earth. You constantly have to keep your wits about you and be sure not to carry anything you wouldn't mind getting taken. We were constantly told before we got here to not go anywhere alone, not to go to the beaches at night, not to wear any jewelry and to put some money in your shoe in case you do get robbed. Even if you take all the precautions, you could still be robbed, but the goal is to obviously draw as little attention to yourself as possible and hope for the best. Then, of course, if you do get robbed, just give them everything you have and don't resist.
At any rate, it was only a matter of statistics before one of the people from the ship had a story like that. I'm sure there are others but I haven't heard about them yet.
Anyway, after breakfast, I went back to my room to sleep for a bit more before waking up at around noon to get ready for the afternoon camarote trip that was leaving at 1:00 pm. When I got to the Union, we were given T-shirts that allowed us entrance into the camarote and there was also a ticket you had to present upon entering the camarote and then you would get a wristband. We got on the bus, took a short ride, got off, took a short walk through the crowds and then got to the camarote. Once you are inside, you can buy tickets for various food and drink items. I bought two tickets for water and then went to the bar area to exchange a ticket for a bottle of water.
view from our camarote of a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
view from our camarote of a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
inside our camarote during a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
view from our camarote of the opposite side of the street during a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
The camarote in general was really full. It was packed and you kind of have to just inch your way through the crowd at any given time. Members from our group inched their way toward the front of the viewing area and we could see the big trucks pass by with people on the top of them and Brazilian singers on top. On some of the floats, naked women who were painted with advertising slogans danced around waving to the crowds.
view from our camarote of a naked woman on a Carneval parade float in Salvador, Brazil
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
view from our camarote of a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
view from our camarote of a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
watching a Carneval parade from our camarote in Salvador, Brazil
(click here for bigger version of the video)
me at the front of the viewing section of the camarote watching a Carneval parade in Salvador, Brazil
Food was served in the camarote - pizza, sushi, shrimp skewers, hamburgers, etc. - you just had to buy a ticket for what you wanted to eat and then exchange at the food stands.
Some of the people on the trip with me were a handful of professors. I just uploaded my photos and there is a photo of Bianca, a psychology professor on the trip, and her partner Sue (Sue apparently coached field hockey at Pine Manor back in the late 1970s). I got a photo of me and Julie, the ethnomusicology professor, who is a few years older than me too.
We stayed at the camarote from about 2:00 pm until 6:30 pm and after we all gathered together again our guide led us back through the streets to the bus. Everyone made it back to the ship and we didn't lose anyone or leave anyone behind so I guess that was good considering how hectic it was. It was something I can say I now experienced but I wouldn't want to do it again. Aside from it being really crowded, you also sweat like crazy so after being there for over four hours, I was ready to go back to the ship. We got back around 7:00 pm and I went to the dining hall to eat before they closed at 7:30 pm and then I went back to my room, took a shower and then went to sleep.
