The Boys From Brazil

.......and i'm not referring to the famous Ira Levin novel. In this case, I'm talking about two of my favorite people, my son Michael and his good friend Nick, who have just returned from a three week trip to Brazil. Here they are pictured with another friend who was visiting Rio from Sweden. They were there for Carnival which, according to them, could only be described as Mardi Gras x 10.

I never really understood before exactly what Carnival was and was surprised to find out that it marks the beginning of the Lenten season in Brazil and is held 40 days prior to Easter. So, while I'm giving up chocolate for Lent, the Brazilians are parading up and down the street in full party mode. It's actually supposed to be considered as a farewell to the "pleasures of the flesh" so this profane event marks the beginning of an abstinence of sorts for perhaps all things fun in Brazil.

Carnival is an elaborate parade of all the Samba schools, who train all year long for this event. As a matter of fact, the street they dance down is only used for Carnival and it could take each school as long as ninety minutes to parade from start to finish. Here's a picture of one of the schools and you can see the work involved in coming up with these floats and costumes. This almost makes the Mummers look like a preschool. I think the most interesting thing to me is the fact that social roles and class structure are forgotten during Carnival as the wealthy dress up as commoners and men dress as women and the poor dress up as royalty. These people train an entire year before this event and it's supposed to be one of the happiest times of their lives. In so many of the other pictures Michael brought home, you can see the joy on their faces as they parade down the street in full regalia.

As the guests of a well known Brazilian businessman and racehorse owner/breeder, Goncalo Torrealba, they enjoyed Rio deJaniero as only the natives do. Their host was so generous and so gracious in making sure that they were treated to everything the great city of Rio has to offer. I can't even imagine what Carnival must be like but I'm told it's nothing like I've ever witnessed before in my life. Similar to throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, both Michael and Nick have vowed to return to Rio again next year.

As if Carnival wasn't spectacular enough, they also flew by private jet to the ranch where the horses are kept and got to spend the day riding. Does it get any better than this? Nick grew up riding horses but this was the first time for Michael. Unfortunately, he was given a horse that obviously didn't feel like being ridden so his first horseback riding experience will be one to remember.

Some other things of note that they've mentioned upon their return are how wonderful the people are. In the past year, Michael has traveled around Europe and thinks the people in Brazil are clearly some of the nicest and most accommodating people he has ever had the pleasure to meet. They were also very surprised at how good the food was and tried things I can't even pronounce.

The only unfortunate thing was that very few people spoke English. Since Portuguese is the national language. they both plan to learn some of this language before they return. So all in all, it was a very successful trip and one of their favorites thus far. Their next trip is to San Remo and Monte Carlo in early April. I'm beginning to think that they might need a manager to travel with them but somehow I don't think I'd be interviewed for this position.

From a mother's perspective, this was the one trip I was the most nervous about. I don't know why. South America?? A Visa needed for entry?? The jungles, the rainforests?? So much I didn't know about that world just south of us. Well, I obviously need not have worried as these boys were so well taken care of and all I can say is "Thank You" to the wonderful Torrealba family for their incomparable hospitality. Obrigado!!