OLMatters - The School Paper
Capturing Memories for the Future
Vol X
Aug 2014 - July 2015
Matt Mazur, Bowling Green State University
Student Teacher, 2nd Grade B
CARNIVAL IN RIO
We had spent almost two full weeks in Rio de Janeiro before Carnival, most of which was spent acclimating to our surroundings; finding places to eat, settling in to the villa where we stay, and developing relationships with the OLM community. At that point we had seen some of the truly breathtaking natural beauty that meshes into the city, but all of the buzz, ever since we had arrived, was about Carnival. We were all completely delighted to know that we would have the opportunity to attend the Carnival Parade of Champions at the Sambadrome. On a personal level, I’ve never experienced anything quite like Carnival. In the States, we have parades to commemorate some of our major holidays, particularly Thanksgiving, but I’ve not had the opportunity to attend any of the major ones that happen throughout the country. Additionally, we have huge public gatherings during our Independence Day celebrations, where people come together to celebrate the birth of our nation. To me, Carnival season in Rio is a combination of these two social congregations. Daily, people take to time to gather on the streets, sing, dance, eat and be happy and when it comes time; people bring the festivities to the stands of the Sambadrome to enjoy the Parade of Champions.
What an incredible thing to experience during such a short stay in Rio de Janeiro. The parade itself was a sensational experience to say the least.
Luckily we benefitted from two very helpful guides; Ms. Nobre from OLM and her husband Phelipe. Having two kind and savvy individuals allowed us to enjoy the night without facing the obstacles of logistics and knowledge of the city. Upon arriving at the Sambadrome, the samba music that we had heard casually on the street suddenly became the backdrop to some of the most stunning visuals. Each samba school was remarkable on an individual level, each embracing its own theme. The performers organized themselves into many different groups within each school; individuals with extravagant outfits, pairs who wow the crowd with choreographed moves, groups of people small and large who match in dress and share a set of dance moves, and finally floats, each of which served as a show of its own. There was so much to take in that I rarely put my camera down for fear of missing the next picture perfect opportunity.
Everything about this experience was miraculous, down to the stunning Sambadrome itself. All 750 meters serve as a modern marvel and a testament to the importance of Carnival in this beautiful city. Not many people from my community can say that they’ve seen something as incredible as the Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro and I’m proud to be able to say that I’m one of them.
Thank you so much for welcoming me with such open arms and providing me with this once in a lifetime opportunity.
