Salvador da Bahia Carnival – northeast Brazil
Brazil February 19-24 officially (actually goes on till February 25th)
I’m sure you’ve all seen photos of the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (which is glitz, glamour and nubile semi-clad gorgeous bodies). But are you aware of the other huge Carnival held in another part of Brazil each year?
The Salvador event is more about YOU the, the onlookers. Each year about 2 million join in the fun participating in, what is known as “The worlds largest street party”! If you don’t like crowds – and I mean vast crowds, this may not be for you! But it’s one of the most joyful and happiest of events with people coming from all over the world to participate, watch and listen to Brazilian sambas and Bossanovas, the whole town is alive with music.
You’ll see amazing costumes, be mind blown with the music and atmosphere,
During the six days the partying goes on from 5pm to 5am, stamina is needed to stay the course. Dozen of bands parade along the streets, all playing on large trucks - called Trios-electricos – all loaded with thousands of watts of sound equipment. The two parade areas are huge, both about two kilometres – the Barra/Ondina and the Campo Grande/Avenida. Every twenty minutes a new Trio starts its parade. A few ‘Trios’, group together to form a ‘Bloco’.
How to join in the fun
The PICOPA – join in the fun and dance with the crowds for free…. why picopa? The word means popcorn, a brilliant way to describe the crowds dancing up and down!
CAMAROTE – these are cabins, located along the avenues. You can buy drinks and food – and have your own, small dance area. The charge is between 100 and 500 Brazilian reais a day.
ABADA – this is a safety area, protected by bodyguards, each one surrounding a ‘Trio’ of ‘Bloco’. You need to buy a pass and a t-shirt (to identify you as a ‘member’ of the safety area). Some Abada’s include free drinks – there is also the advantage having toilet facilities, plus more room to move around and dance. Of course you can move ‘in and out’ of the ABADA into the seething throng of the PICOPA. The charge for joining an ABADA is between 100 and 700 reais a day,
Block after block are lined with stands (camarotes) selling their wares, restaurants with delicious aromas wafting out of them to tempt you in. It’s an amazing experience, assailing all you senses. Go and enjoy.
A few safety precautions; wear ‘sensible’ shoes, your feet may get trampled on in the vast crowds – sandals offer very little protection. Don’t wear watches or jewelery – there will always be ‘opportunists’ around! If you bring a camera and are joining the PICOPA – guard it with care.
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