Carnaval in Olinda

After a couple days of hanging with friends in Olinda, Carnaval has started. It is non stop blocos -marching street bands!  Constantly from 10AM until after midnight the streets in the Citade Alta are filled with bands and marchers, and people in costume. Tons of street vendors supply the beers and cocktails, also there is a large contingent of clean up people collecting empty cans and sweeping etc. If you throw an empty on the street, it will be picked up in literally nano seconds! The music is mostly Frevo featuring tons of horns, and Maracatu which is more drums and vocals. We are lucky enough to be staying at Pousada Quatro Cantos which is in the center of the parade route, so we have constant entertainment from two diffent streets at two different levels. We have also been hanging at Jonah's house which is right around the corner, and his balcony is on the second floor, so we get yet another angle to view the costumed dancing crowd, floats, blocos, stilt walkers, and giant dolls.  Yesterday we hung around at Nando's house with Fofa, Sergio and others getting dressed and ready to party on the street.  At around midnight there is a parade of the giant dolls which is about 25-20 two story tall dolls literally running together up and down the cobblestone streets!

The big bonus is that here at the Pousada, they are also throwing a 4 day party from 10am to 7pm with open bar, DJ and amazing bands -included with the Carnaval package!  Yesterday there was a killer pagode group right here at the Pousada on a shaded patio.  When the blocos come, the band takes a break, and resume as soon as they are past the Pousada.  There is security at the door, but we haven't seen any robbers or violence of any kind so far!  The pool is only open to guests at the Pousada versus the entire party, so we can hang in the pool, cooling off, enjoying cocktails and music, and there are only ten of us who are staying here and not working, so there is plenty of space for us.  The mood is happiness! Alegria Geral!  The weather is perfect 85 degrees and sunny!