It is only Saturday here in Recife and carnaval has been going on for quite a few days. The official start is really supposed to be the 5th-8th. There has been all the practicing by the bands, fireworks, decorations in place, stages set up, singing, dancing and kids being off school to get into the whole spirit of things.
The day we went on our city tour the young people 14-25yrs were having their parade through Olinda. They are the kids who are being trained by the government and the convent to have a skill and work in an occupation. Sylvia told us after they complete the program they must contribute their time each week to help other kids in the program. These kids were having a ball dancing, playing the drums, all in costumes, and it was organized chaos in general. Jutta and I even joined in the parade at one point with our newly purchased decorated umbrellas dancing right along. They all laughed at us but welcomed us right in. Pictures are in the works.
We will go to the rooster parade today. The cock is the symbol and there is a long route which we are planning on attending. It should be quite exciting but also quite hot. There is a group of us meeting at 0730 today to trek over there. Bill is actually attending as well. That is a miracle since he has told the whole fleet that he is not going to attend with all the crowd and heat and chaos. So maybe he will let his hair down and actually enjoy himself. Don't know if I can get him to dance.
Tomorrow we go to the Olinda carnaval. That is an all day all night affair. We will probably only go for the day. But these carnavals go on from sunrise to late into the night with drinking, dancing, eating, and singing. Don't know if we can keep up but we sure will try. This is a once in a lifetime experience ,I keep telling Bill. This is all a little outside Bill's comfort zone for anyone who doesn't know him.
So we continue to Adapt, Overcome, and Improvise. Is Bill ever sorry he ever stated that is our motto on the Crazy Horse?!!!!
Rosemary, Bill, and Matt