carnival answer key

Ladybugs and feathered ladies twirly Virgin Maries and gold painted Indians. It can only be Rio de Janeiro’s annual carnival celebration. The city’s top 12 samba schools face off in elaborate parades in especially built sambadrome. A unique experience, had to give it a try myself.

“It was absolutely amazing and exhausting. We were dancing for a straight hour, singing for a straight hour… I’ve lost my voice. I felt really amazing.”

A labour of love for the samba schools that represent Rio’s poorest neighborhoods. They prepare all year, spending millions on each presentation.

“Carnival is bringing people together, regardless of where they come from or who they are.”

But carnival in Rio is also a five-day non-stop street party. More than 400 blocos or block parties fill the streets with live music free of charge.

“Every bloco has its own tradition, its own flavour. This one is Sargento Pimenta, or Sergeant Pepper, so you’ve got to imagine it is all about the Beatles.”

The biggest blocos attract more than a million revellers. As carnival winds down as before Rio’s next big event, the world cup, revellers brace for a hangover. Mountains of trash left behind, thanks to a sanitation workers’ strike.