Saturday, January 8, 2011

What's His Name?

It's funny, when I tell people I've been to Brazil over 12 times, for many people the next question is "What's his name?"  Though there are many men who travel to Brazil just for the women, and come back with multiple girlfriends, or even a wife.  I have never had a boyfriend in Brazil, and that's not why I go... 

One of the reasons I enjoy my visits is the music, there's nothing like going to a Samba club, and having what begins as a theatre style Samba music performance by a live band turn into a club wide party with smiles, appreciation, joy and over-all breaking down of barriers.  It's most similar to an old school, jazz jam in the Village in New York with musicians joining in, or a freestyle rap cypher, or a drum circle in a park. 

...or a political rally (they almost always include a band and drinks after the politicians speak) on the beach in Salvador, Brazil where the audience is one big gyrating mass.  You forget that you don't know the dances and you feel comfortable joining in because no one is judging you.

The last example I'll give here that is especially unique to Brazil, is a Friday night party in Lapa.  Lapa is a neighborhood in Brazil famous for its nightlife and landmarks, particularly Carioca Aqueduct, also know as Arcos da Lapa (An aqueduct constructed in the mid-18th century).  It is near these arches that a cluster of clubs is surrounded every Friday night by food and drink vendors, and Samba bands that play out in the street.  Some nights the parties spill out of the "clubs" that are basically brazilian hip-hop jams, with only a beer/wine licquor bar inside, and restrooms, and speakers facing the streets.  Brazilian street parties are an equal mixture house party, and block party, which is includes street people, and tourist and Carioca all dancing together.  Best enjoyed when attended by a large group of friends, who go with the attitude, "we come to sweat".

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