How dangerous is Carnival in Rio, really? REALLY??
I don't deal with "impending doom" scenarios very well. When people start insisting so much that something is dangerous, I tend to just turn them off. It might be a flawed survival mechanism, but it might also be because a lot of people's fears are unfounded.
I have a theory that a lot of upper-class people in this country (maybe in the US, too) like to believe that things are dangerous in order to feel like they more important, that their stuff is more valued, and that people are jealous of their lifestyles. Fear can be very validating.
Some of you may be able to read what I'm not saying here.
But I think most everyone will have their 2 cents to add to an answer to this question: Are Kristin and I in danger? Some factors:
1. We're not going to the official parade. We plan to visit a bloco party and other (mostly) daytime tourist things.
2. I just got surgery on my arm and it's weak.
3. I have my arm brace that I can wear.
4. We are two Americans, and pretty clearly foreign-looking at that.
5. We're staying with an American friend of mine and her Brazilian husband. My American friend has lived in Rio for 4 years. Her husband is a cop.
6. We are women, and we are both married! (This factor is tongue in cheek, but perhaps may give you insight into what I'm not saying.)
I don't want to break my arm again or get mugged either, so I don't plan on doing anything stupid like drink until I can't walk or carry a big purse to the bloco party. But is just BEING in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival a risk in itself?
Can you guys recommend activities (like calmer, friendlier bloco parties) that will give Kristin a taste of Carnival without putting us in any unnecessary situations? My real-life friends and long-time readers know that I'm not some kind of crazy party animal. I fall asleep after 2 glasses of wine.
Do contribute to the comments! Thanks!
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Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this one, big time!
Nothing to fear, oh, wait, I am a guy, and this is not an issue for me, but if I was a girl, in Rio, during Carnaval, the only thing I would fear, would be the availability or lack of clean bathrooms to pee, considering girls have to pee sitting down. But that is what toilet seat covers are for, plus, some girls have the ability to do some creative maneuvers to avoid having to actually seat on the toilet seat while using the bathroom. :)
Priorities, priorities!!
Have fun and build up your own opinion about Rio and safety.
I never allow other's bad examples or bad experiences dictate my own.
Abracos
Ray
Oh go and have a blast! The year we got tickets to the sambodrom we had two American friends who came down to Rio. They totally winged it. We stayed home (two hours away) until the night of the big parade, but our friends, who'd never been to Brazil before and spoke no portuguese (but fluent spanish) naturally wanted to be in Rio and in the thick of it. They didn't even have hotel reservations. They managed to grab two nights at a hostel in Ipanema, and then paid them to store their things in a closet. The spent the days and nights partying in the blocos, or hanging on the beach, watching the sun rise - and when they needed to shower and sleep, they rented a room in a love motel in Laranjeiras. They actually said it was really clean. You got your own sheets and towels vacuum sealed in plastic when you signed in. They had a blast. They knew nothing about the city or its "dangers" (okay maybe they'd heard about it, and just enjoyed themselves. Of course, he is Mexican and she is black, so they did blend in pretty well. Also, I think about the peeing thing that you can get these cones - I think they actually pass them out to help with the public urination issue. They have the same type of gel in them that is used in baby diapers. It absorbs a ton of liquid and turns solid and then you can throw it away. Careful not to step on any ones that get discarded!!! But good to be on the look out for them in case you need it! Have fun Danielle!
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine! Don't bring valuables to blocos and be careful with your cell. There are a lot of pick-pockets, especially at the more popular blocos.
ReplyDeleteCarnaval is a blast. No worry to be had :D
Just don't turn around if someone tugs on your hair ;)
ReplyDeleteDanielle,
ReplyDeleteI asked a friend of mine who lives in Rio (she is from Paraná) and she prepared a list about the blocos. I'm going to forward it to your e-mail.
:),
Karina
Hey Danielle! I don't think you need to feel worried. I've only been to 2 Rio carnivals, but every bloco I've been to was simple to escape if you found you were uncomfortable with the situation. You can stay on the edge if you want to avoid crushes or being bumped.
ReplyDeleteQueuing for toilets can be a bit of a pain, but it's not the end of the world, especially if you're not going to be doing full-on boozing!
I usually get the inside line on blocos from friends of my wife and they are almost always spot-on. I can drop you a text when I get the word if you like? I often forget the names, but one bloco I enjoyed both years has been Sassaricando. Apparently it's moving from Glória to somewhere in Centro this year, so I'm not sure if that will change it, but it had a great atmosphere both times I went.
I also heard the bloco "Toca Raul" was great last year (though I missed it). If you like the music of Raul Seixas, it could be worth checking out.
I did carnaval in Rio a few years ago, and seriously, I felt as safe as you do in any big city during big events. I never felt like I was in danger, and I went to a few of the afternoon blocos and the parade. be prepared for HUGE lines for most of the touristy things (since everyone else is there to do the same thing) and I second the information about the toilets - get ready to do some creative balancing and nose holding....
ReplyDeleteI went to a bloco in Santa Teresa which was great - we found a spot next to the main road that was elevated a little, so we weren´t trapped in the moving crowd - something like that would probably be best for your arm.
I used a small bag, nothing obvious - but took my small digital camera with me with no problems. The less you carry with you, the better, obviously - if only for your own piece of mind :)
The foreigner thing - you will see soooooo many other foreigners there that you´ll get sick of them after a while :) If you guys are speaking Portuguese, you´ll blend in more than you think!!
Have an awesome time!!
Average Brazilian can see dangerous everywhere. Realy funny listen to their stories :D
ReplyDeleteDanielle, are you really asking this question?? you've been to Rio enough times to know that it's not dangerous - and Carnaval is more happy and drunk than dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI can't even tell you to stick to certain blocos because they're all crazy. Just don't bring a lot of stuff with you. Keep money in a secret pocket.
Miss you xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
Ps ifyou like the Beatles go to bloco Sargento Pimenta and if you want to see my old house go to Bloco dois pra ca, Dois pra la! It's right beside my house!
I think that Carnaval is very interesting! How long does Carnaval take place and is it relatable at all to "Fat Tuesday" ?
ReplyDelete