Carnival

Without a doubt, Carnival is the biggest annual Brazilian celebration. Everybody seems to celebrate it in one way or another, across the entire country. Offices, schools and shops are all closed. Many restaurants close as well. But...the malls and grocery stores remain open! 

People spend more money at Carnival time than at Christmas. They also party more than at New Years. Loud music, dazzling costumes, dancing and marching bands form the heart of Carnival.

Carnival takes place in February or March each year – the dates change, as the celebrations are linked to the religious calendar. Carnival begins on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and continues up to and including Ash Wednesday itself. 

Rio de Janeiro has one of the most well-known Carnival celebrations. 

They really don’t do carnival in Curitiba. Most residents leave town during Carnival and go to the beaches or to another city in Brazil that celebrates carnival - or anywhere else.

The city is left to people who have to work, have no way of getting out of town or who just don’t like the idea of carnival.

(There are a surprising number of Brazilians who actively dislike carnival.  A lot of them live right here in Curitiba. I guess you could say that Curitiba is the Capital of Non-Carnival in Brazil.)

Anyway, the city is pretty much empty. There is no traffic. The restaurants that are open don’t have queues. It is relaxing walking around town without the normal hordes. It is almost like a ghost town.

Except the ghosts are zombies. A parade of zombies. Yes, Curitiba has a Zombie Walk of people who dress up in zombie costumes and make-up. They make their way around the city as if they were zombies. There is also some sort of Rock Carnival held somewhere in town.

Needless to say, you won't find the Church members at any of these events. In fact, this is the Youth Conference Weekend for most stakes. 

CTR you know. 

(This is cute little Louise celebrating Carnival Mormon-style. A dolce in one hand and a pom-pom in the other.)

Since we pretty much had the city to ourselves Monday, we took the opportunity to explore some more...

Of note

- when you order a small cheeseburger in Brazil, it doesn't necessarily mean that the whole thing will be small - just the bun! Ask the Donald who ordered one!