Video: Samba and Dancing on Copacabana Beach

Posted in Activities, Rio de Janeiro, Travel Recommendations on 03. May, 2010

Hi all,

Gosh it feels good to be back blogging again! (Not to mention those hot showers in the morning and A/C in the afternoon!) I will write about my 15 days without power later, but right now I’d like to focus on more positive things!

It’s the beginning of May, and in Rio that translates into fall. Remember, the seasons are reversed here from those in the northern hemisphere. Just add (or subtract if you prefer) 6 months to figure out the equivalent month in Peoria or Texarkana.

Actually, the weather here in Rio is much like south Florida, offset by 6 months. Though officially subtropical, it can feel like full-on equatorial in summer (December-February). Now in early May it is a delightful 80-81 Fahrenheit during the day and a coolish 70 at night. (My Canadian friends are snickering. Yes, I am a wimp.)

But enough about the weather! My point is that it is now PERFECT BEACH WEATHER!!! You can go and enjoy yourself without withering under a blistering sun. Also, the crowds have thinned considerably, so you can stake out that otimo spot in the sand.

Although the cool crowd hangs out at Ipanema, I like to plop my butt down at Copacabana sometimes. Yeah, it’s more touristy, but it’s still fun. Try them both and see which you prefer. They sit very close to one another.

On Copa Beach, you are apt – especially on weekends – to encounter wandering minstrels. Down here, wandering minstrels play samba, a musical style which arose in Rio about 100 years ago. Some say it was brought to Rio by migrants from the northeast. It sounds simple at first, but the rhythms, a mix of African and European influences, are complex.

Usually you’ll see these wandering minstrels on the sidewalk. I’ve seen the guy in the red cap in the video many times. In this video he and his buddies are down in the sand. They are lucky enough to be joined by a young lady demonstrating how samba can move the soul (among other things). Her I have not been lucky enough to see. Maybe tomorrow!

Come on down! Your summer vacation is coming up. It’s the perfect time to think about coming this way. Need some help with ideas or planning? Shoot me an e-mail at John@JohnInBrazil.Org. I’ll give you some advice and hook you up.

Here’s the video. Enjoy!