Carnaval

We arrived in Sao Paulo one week before Carnaval. Samba schools all over town were busy rehearsing for the big day. We had the fortunate opportunity to accompany the samba school Vai Vai (Go Go!) during their last rehearsal.

Vai Vai is one of the largest schools in Sao Paulo (3,500 people march with them during Carnaval!) They have been champions of the competition in the past. All samba schools act as community centers and neighborhood support groups. They are a place of safety and relief for the community.

Before the rehearsal started, Vai Vai members explained the rules and traditions of Carnaval. They introduced instruments and answered our group´s questions. I tried to be a good student and focus on the speakers but found it absolutely impossible with all the commotion in the room. Kids yelling, intricate costumes being displayed, men chatting drinking beers, and the most distracting of all....more than half naked ladies being interviewed for that evening´s news.

After the explaination, in true IHP style, we were given interactive demonstrations. The samba girls taught us their moves and the band handed us their instruments. After the quick practice we bought a few beers, looked at the elaborate costumes, and attempted to dance the samba while 10 year old girls were more adept at moving their hips than we were. When we caravaned back to the bus we were exhausted from dancing to the music and utterly awed by the brazilian passion for this holiday.

-Kayla