Samba vs. Beer

We've been in Salvador, Brazil, for the past ten days enjoying Carnaval celebrations, and I've never been so happy for Ash Wednesday to arrive. Don't get me wrong- Carnaval is super exciting and a guaranteed good time, but the Brazilians just don't ever get tired. They party in the morning, they party harder in the afternoon, and then at midnight they put their dancing shoes on. When I get up to pee around 5 a.m., I can hear the rhythm of the drums, still going strong. Torrential rain or shine, the parade will go on. It's amazing and exhausting and I've never seen anything quite like it.

Brendan and I kept up pretty well these last few days, though we could often be found sitting at the bar in the Bahia Cafe, nursing beers and giving our poor, trampled feet an hour's rest. You can only samba for so long, especially when you're making a fool of yourself.

The bar at the Bahia Cafe seemed to be a magnet for other Americans, most of whom were straight off the college cruise ship called "Semester at Sea." Have you heard about this racket? College kids can literally spend a semester studying/fornicating with each other while cruising the seven seas on a luxury liner, rather than on their respective campuses. Brilliant! Why wasn't I aware of this back in '97?

Anyway, the kids were in town for Carnaval and booze and to provide us with a little comic relief at the bar. Here's a word-for-word excerpt from a conversation between a girl from a small, Jesuit school in Massachusetts and a jumpy gay guy from the University of Miami, who had just ordered two shots of tequila:

Girl: "We have to toast to something. Ok, I'm going to quote a line from a song and then you do it too."

Guy: "Ok."

Girl: "Mine is "Keep it real, Slim.""

Guy: "Um.... um.... hmmm... ok, all I can think of is "Don't go chasing waterfalls."

Girl: "That's fine....no, that's good."

They down their tequila shots, talk about how they're starting to feel the alcohol, pay up and go off in search of the action.

Ah, to be in college again. Did we really talk like that?

After they leave, Brendan and I chuckle about eavesdropping being better than fiction, and try our hand at our own poignant song lines. He chooses something obvious from "Stairway to Heaven" and I choose something even more obvious from "Subterranean Homesick Blues." We both agree we'll get better with practice. It's kind of a fun game.

-Sarah

Comments

I often catch myself eavesdropping on college students as well at games. It is so much fun to remember how crazy, stupid silly we all were at one point or another.

Sometimes I hear kids talking and can't believe that at one time I sounded like that.

LOL

Okay, I'm here to eat crow- or something like that. I was reading a lot in the "India days" and even made a comment or two agreeing with others who didn't agree with the posts during those days. Or maybe agree isn't the right word, but they just came across wrong or hit me wrong, I'm not sure.
Anyway, I take a couple weeks off, come back and wow, the "Brazil days" sound like so much more fun! You both sound revitalized. I'll admit, as your average blog reader I was a little judgemental and while I still might be, I'm just really glad I decided to stop back in today.

Plus, I got a new fun drinking game.

Enjoy, more!

Tara :)

That sounds like fun. My old Aunt and Uncle went there to celebrate. I think it is a little too much for them. They're in their 60's-70's. haha.
So has anyone actually recognized you two in your travels? Like they remembered you from Attack of the Show?

Cool - thanx for passing on a new drinking game! :)

SNOOOOOOOZE......

So I tuned in to AOTS today, the first time in probably a year- I got hooked while I was pregnant, and then after I had the baby, didn't watch much. I was shocked to turn on the tv and see there were all these new hosts- and - where is Sarah? (Later I thought where is Brendan, but Sarah got the initial shock). So, I googled Sarah, found this page and am happy for your marriage! And to Brendan! That's crazy! Congrats, marriage is awesome and having a baby is even more awesome- I've enjoyed reading your blogs and keep having fun traveling the world!