I have ridden in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, and experienced a full Mardi Gras season last year. Sadly, it was marred by crashing my car in traffic after one of the big parades. My advice: don’t try to drive right before or after one. A lot of locals leave town for Deep Gras, the big parade days that start about a week ahead of Fat Tuesday.
December 2022: We were in El Calafate, Argentina, between hiking Torres del Paine and heading to Ushuaia and an Antarctic cruise. In town to get some groceries, we found the supermarket closed down because everyone was watching the World Cup Final (futbol) on TV - Argentina vs. France. Joining a group of people outside a cafe, I got swept up in their roller coaster of emotions culminating in everyone, including me, hugging after Argentina won the shootout. Residents stormed the main street - car horns blaring, flags waving (yes, I bought a small flag, too), people cheering with nationalistic pride. In that moment, I became an Argentinian for the day and actually cried with empathic joy!
For about 5 straight years, I went to Sydney for Vivid Sydney, the annual free lighting of the harbour event. The white sails of the Opera House become a screen of moving colors, art, images, and videos of dancers or fish moving from sail to sail. It's like the most stunning kaleidoscope. Buildings around the harbour become light shows, the bridge changes colors, the ferries are covered with colored lights, and the botanic gardens become tunnels of light. It changes every year and every year I love it more, it's the most beautiful annual event I've ever seen,. Unfortunately, it has become too popular and heaving with people; in the beginning of Vivid Sydney, it was a lovely evening to wander among the mesmerizing lights.
Hi, I know you Guys are world travelers by now but while in Brazil, try the national dish, Feijoada. Every country has a national dish/ stew and you guys should try this one! Who goes to Ireland and not enjoy corn beef, cabbage and potatoes or to Italy and not try pasta marinara. Try the Feijoada (black beans w/meat over rice, collard greens) and your caipirinha (national drink) before enjoying the Carnivale Parade in the Samaba Drome. It is a parade like you have never seen in your life! 2 nights of the most spectacular, gorgeous, imaginative floats that take nearly a year to plan, construct and execute. And for a fee, some Samaba schools will allow you join in the marching section of the school as it parades through the drome or the streets of Salvador de Bahija.
We are headed to Venice tomorrow for the end of Carnivale. We have a hotel reservation in Venice proper about a twenty minute walk from the train station. We have been told that the weekend is the busiest time. We hope that's right.
Odd but wonderful annual events we've found - the decorated cow parades in Switzerland, and the camel beauty contests in the UAE. Have to see them at least once, hard to describe to someone without laughing but they do make great memories and photographs.
Our experience was a New Years Eve in Paris, it was an international crowd. About 23:50 the crowd began moving toward the Champs Elysee's. to watch a big clock. People were carrying bottles of champagne, and poring drinks to others in the crowd. When clock turned 24:00 a big circle formed and they threw their bottles into the street.
Also, in 1976, we happened to visit Cripple Creek, Colorado during Donkey Derby Days - had no idea it existed (this was pre-casino era). Years later (I do not recall what year) I had guests returning who had been unable to visit (ran out of time) the pottery museum in East Liverpool, Ohio so I routed them to East Liverpool on the way to us. It happened to be the day of the Pottery festival - and they loved it!
I had saved 1 month of vacation time in 1986 for a road trip from Illinois to a windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine with 4 of our kids. Among the many historical stops along the way was Fort Ticonderoga. I had targeted a half day figuring the kids would be "DONE" and bored by then and we parents would have been able to actually SEE the fort. We were on the palisades about noon and as I was rounding up the kids, a Battle began. I was emphatically told we do not want to leave! We had a bird's-eye view of the BAR re-enactment of the Battle of Ft Ticonderoga - we happened to be there the ONE DAY a year it is done! SCORE!! (Yes, a 6-day windjammer cruise beat that out, but it was a wonderful memory - especially for the son who became a history teacher.)
I’m presently in Brazil bit as a woman traveling alone, I’m worried about safely. My solution is to experience a smaller (but probably duller) version of Carneval, so I decided to come to Florianopolis.
The first big event I attended was in 1963 when a friend and I camped out overnight on Colorado Boulevard to watch the Rose Parade. It was a huge party time. People brought BBQs & shared hot dogs & s’mores. Since then I’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve in Times Square, Mardi Gras in New Orleans and participated in many protest marches. Spending time with like minded strangers is an amazing experience.
Lost in the Lederhosen: A Journey Through Oktoberfest
It was a crisp autumn morning in Munich, Germany, and the city was alive with the promise of Oktoberfest. The air was filled with the scent of bratwurst and the sound of cheerful chatter as we made our way to Theresienwiese, the festival grounds.
As we entered the gates, we were greeted by a sea of people dressed in traditional Bavarian attire – lederhosen and dirndls as far as the eye could see. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and music filling the air.
We wandered through the festival, taking in the sights and sounds. We sampled local delicacies like pretzels and schnitzel, washed down with steins of frothy beer. The energy was infectious, and we found ourselves caught up in the revelry.
As the day turned to night, the festival took on a magical quality. The lights twinkled, and the music grew louder. We joined a group of locals in a traditional dance, spinning and twirling under the starlit sky.
But as the night wore on, we realized we had become separated from our group. Lost in a sea of revelers, we wandered the festival grounds, searching for familiar faces.
Just when we began to worry, we heard our names called. We turned to see our friends, laughing and waving us over. They had been searching for us, worried we had gotten lost.
We spent the rest of the night together, sharing stories and laughter. As the sun began to rise, we made our way back to our hotel, exhausted but exhilarated by our adventure.
Oktoberfest in Munich had been a whirlwind of excitement and joy, a celebration of life and friendship that we would never forget.
Venice has been great. Big crowds, but not impossible. Rain until today. It's gloriously sunny and mild (57° F, 23°C) today. We took a Vaporetto to Murano and visited the Glass Museum. Street performances this afternoon. High speed train to Florence tomorrow. Home after 4 weeks in Italy on the 22nd.
I have ridden in Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, and experienced a full Mardi Gras season last year. Sadly, it was marred by crashing my car in traffic after one of the big parades. My advice: don’t try to drive right before or after one. A lot of locals leave town for Deep Gras, the big parade days that start about a week ahead of Fat Tuesday.
December 2022: We were in El Calafate, Argentina, between hiking Torres del Paine and heading to Ushuaia and an Antarctic cruise. In town to get some groceries, we found the supermarket closed down because everyone was watching the World Cup Final (futbol) on TV - Argentina vs. France. Joining a group of people outside a cafe, I got swept up in their roller coaster of emotions culminating in everyone, including me, hugging after Argentina won the shootout. Residents stormed the main street - car horns blaring, flags waving (yes, I bought a small flag, too), people cheering with nationalistic pride. In that moment, I became an Argentinian for the day and actually cried with empathic joy!
For about 5 straight years, I went to Sydney for Vivid Sydney, the annual free lighting of the harbour event. The white sails of the Opera House become a screen of moving colors, art, images, and videos of dancers or fish moving from sail to sail. It's like the most stunning kaleidoscope. Buildings around the harbour become light shows, the bridge changes colors, the ferries are covered with colored lights, and the botanic gardens become tunnels of light. It changes every year and every year I love it more, it's the most beautiful annual event I've ever seen,. Unfortunately, it has become too popular and heaving with people; in the beginning of Vivid Sydney, it was a lovely evening to wander among the mesmerizing lights.
Hi, I know you Guys are world travelers by now but while in Brazil, try the national dish, Feijoada. Every country has a national dish/ stew and you guys should try this one! Who goes to Ireland and not enjoy corn beef, cabbage and potatoes or to Italy and not try pasta marinara. Try the Feijoada (black beans w/meat over rice, collard greens) and your caipirinha (national drink) before enjoying the Carnivale Parade in the Samaba Drome. It is a parade like you have never seen in your life! 2 nights of the most spectacular, gorgeous, imaginative floats that take nearly a year to plan, construct and execute. And for a fee, some Samaba schools will allow you join in the marching section of the school as it parades through the drome or the streets of Salvador de Bahija.
Great share here, thx for sharing!!
Bill Stankiewicz
Member of Câmara Internacional da Indústria de Transportes - CIT) at The International Transportation Industry Chamber
Professor FORKLIFT SAFETY TRAINING/OSHA/ VR Virtual Reality Training
Savannah Supply Chain-CEO
We are headed to Venice tomorrow for the end of Carnivale. We have a hotel reservation in Venice proper about a twenty minute walk from the train station. We have been told that the weekend is the busiest time. We hope that's right.
Carnival in Rio! We've been twice. 7:00pm to 7:00am both times. Fantastic show! Would do it again if timing permits.
Odd but wonderful annual events we've found - the decorated cow parades in Switzerland, and the camel beauty contests in the UAE. Have to see them at least once, hard to describe to someone without laughing but they do make great memories and photographs.
Our experience was a New Years Eve in Paris, it was an international crowd. About 23:50 the crowd began moving toward the Champs Elysee's. to watch a big clock. People were carrying bottles of champagne, and poring drinks to others in the crowd. When clock turned 24:00 a big circle formed and they threw their bottles into the street.
Also, in 1976, we happened to visit Cripple Creek, Colorado during Donkey Derby Days - had no idea it existed (this was pre-casino era). Years later (I do not recall what year) I had guests returning who had been unable to visit (ran out of time) the pottery museum in East Liverpool, Ohio so I routed them to East Liverpool on the way to us. It happened to be the day of the Pottery festival - and they loved it!
I had saved 1 month of vacation time in 1986 for a road trip from Illinois to a windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine with 4 of our kids. Among the many historical stops along the way was Fort Ticonderoga. I had targeted a half day figuring the kids would be "DONE" and bored by then and we parents would have been able to actually SEE the fort. We were on the palisades about noon and as I was rounding up the kids, a Battle began. I was emphatically told we do not want to leave! We had a bird's-eye view of the BAR re-enactment of the Battle of Ft Ticonderoga - we happened to be there the ONE DAY a year it is done! SCORE!! (Yes, a 6-day windjammer cruise beat that out, but it was a wonderful memory - especially for the son who became a history teacher.)
I’m presently in Brazil bit as a woman traveling alone, I’m worried about safely. My solution is to experience a smaller (but probably duller) version of Carneval, so I decided to come to Florianopolis.
The first big event I attended was in 1963 when a friend and I camped out overnight on Colorado Boulevard to watch the Rose Parade. It was a huge party time. People brought BBQs & shared hot dogs & s’mores. Since then I’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve in Times Square, Mardi Gras in New Orleans and participated in many protest marches. Spending time with like minded strangers is an amazing experience.
Lost in the Lederhosen: A Journey Through Oktoberfest
It was a crisp autumn morning in Munich, Germany, and the city was alive with the promise of Oktoberfest. The air was filled with the scent of bratwurst and the sound of cheerful chatter as we made our way to Theresienwiese, the festival grounds.
As we entered the gates, we were greeted by a sea of people dressed in traditional Bavarian attire – lederhosen and dirndls as far as the eye could see. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and music filling the air.
We wandered through the festival, taking in the sights and sounds. We sampled local delicacies like pretzels and schnitzel, washed down with steins of frothy beer. The energy was infectious, and we found ourselves caught up in the revelry.
As the day turned to night, the festival took on a magical quality. The lights twinkled, and the music grew louder. We joined a group of locals in a traditional dance, spinning and twirling under the starlit sky.
But as the night wore on, we realized we had become separated from our group. Lost in a sea of revelers, we wandered the festival grounds, searching for familiar faces.
Just when we began to worry, we heard our names called. We turned to see our friends, laughing and waving us over. They had been searching for us, worried we had gotten lost.
We spent the rest of the night together, sharing stories and laughter. As the sun began to rise, we made our way back to our hotel, exhausted but exhilarated by our adventure.
Oktoberfest in Munich had been a whirlwind of excitement and joy, a celebration of life and friendship that we would never forget.
Venice has been great. Big crowds, but not impossible. Rain until today. It's gloriously sunny and mild (57° F, 23°C) today. We took a Vaporetto to Murano and visited the Glass Museum. Street performances this afternoon. High speed train to Florence tomorrow. Home after 4 weeks in Italy on the 22nd.