Mastering the Art of Brazil's Carnival: Tips and Tricks from Seasoned Partygoers
For anyone new to the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, it's a whirlwind of fun, beauty, and letting loose. However, seasoned partygoers understand that it's also a marathon of stamina, street-smarts, and pacing to last the full four-day celebration.
Striking the right balance of what to do and what to avoid is crucial, as experienced Carnival attendees advise. Keeping hydrated under the blistering summer heat of Rio is essential, but drinking too much water can lead to the challenge of locating a restroom, which can be an unpleasant experience.
Eating a hearty breakfast for energy is also critical, but overeating might slow you down as you navigate the cobblestone streets amidst other fast-paced revelers.
The Wisdom of Carnival Veterans
Helena Lemos, a 67-year-old Geography and History professor who also goes by her Hare Krishna name, Kunti Devi Dasi, has been a part of the Rio Carnival since her teens. This year, she is performing in five street parties, playing various percussion instruments. She always carries her survival kit with her.
"As a vegetarian, my food kit is lightweight, just dried fruit, almonds, raisins. They provide energy, don't weigh you down and help keep you cool," says Lemos, who sported a light white shirt and sunglasses before her first street party in the bohemian region of Santa Teresa, in downtown Rio.
She adds, "I had lemon tea for breakfast for easy digestion, some tapioca pancakes, and coffee for stamina. I also had a fruit smoothie for an extra energy boost and then some creatine. When I get back, I will have isotonic drinks, as we can't have them before the street parties."
Survival Tips from a Pharmacist
Ana Rodrigues Andrade, a 44-year-old pharmacist, is participating in nine street parties this Carnival. She once did 15 events and still managed to make it to the city's glamorous sambadrome to parade for three samba schools. Her primary advice revolves around resting between parties and carrying hygiene items.
"With this sun, you clearly need sunscreen. Apply it before you leave home and bring some with you. Women should also bring toilet paper and hand sanitizers, as the restroom situations during a street party are typically not ideal. Carry these items in a small purse," Andrade advises, while carrying a large drum kit.
She also suggests bringing plenty of adhesive tape if you're playing an instrument to protect your hands.
Security is Key
Diego Tiriba, a 49-year-old physical education teacher and lifelong Rio Carnival goer, advocates for being thrifty on the streets and doing most of the preparation at home due to the city's significant criminal activity.
"I bring a money belt with cash, a credit card, a bus card, my medical insurance card, home keys, my cellphone, and that's it," says Tiriba. Many women often conceal their cellphones and money under their shirts for safety.
Most seasoned Rio Carnival attendees advise against buying food during street parties as indigestion could become a significant issue when millions are out, and public restrooms may be far away. They also caution that beer and fast-paced street parties on extremely hot days can result in dizziness.
Learning from Past Mistakes
However, even the most experienced revelers have their mishaps. "Once I only applied sunscreen on my face, leaving the rest of my body completely red," Andrade recalls. "Today, I am going to have problems again; I forgot my knee braces to protect from the drum."