Homage to Carnaval

Carnaval or Carnevale (to put away the meat) began in Italy as an elaborate costume party/ festival days before lent when Catholics were forbidden to eat meat. Since its initiate carnaval has spread around the world, starting with the Catholic countries of Europe and brought by the Europeans to the Americas, parts of Asia, west Africa, and the Caribbean. It is the biggest and longest party in the world. Among all of the countries that participate in Carnaval, Brazil has taken the costume party to the next level. All of the major cities of Brazil stop for the festivities and happiness it brings into the country.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Carnaval is in the air. The whole city is smiling today to the beat of axe, samba, and maracatu vibrating in their hearts. Its jovial spirit is intoxicating and contagious. Buses are stopping in a traffic jam of colorful masks, wings, men dressed as babies and outreagous women, vibrant leis, and street vendors suppling the elixir of  cool (beer) in the hellish heat. Normally, this could be a receipe for disaster, not here, not now. It's Carnaval. Lucky boys find a cute girl to kiss and spread the happiness, and, with hope, nothing else. Everywhere one turns there are couples kissing for the first time and possibly the last, boys jumping for joy, girls shaking their hips to the rhymth of the music from the enormous float passing with numerous sambistas playing and singing over the loud speakers. At the sambadrome downtown, the elaborate floats from the samba schools make their way down the cat walk in euphoria after all of the hard work put into the float. It bounces with the rhyth of the dancarinha's shake for the crowd. Flags twirl, the drums pound, feathers take flight, confetti falls, and gems glimmer. Carnaval is jubalation, happiness, joy, bliss, cheer, the medicine for lifting heavy spirits. Enjoy life- life is good. Bom Carnaval!