Carnival!

It might seem controversial, but the more I travel the more I love Brazil. Not that other countries are not so good, however I’m very, very Brazilian. I love our music, our people and our way of having fun. And the best is bringing nine foreign friends to my country and see that they also love it.
I couldn’t believe it when I first saw the schedule for our trip and noticed that the Salvador’s carnival was in the itinerary. It was a dream, and I just accepted it as true when we arrived at the international airport of Bahia (the state which Salvador is the capital) and I felt the Brazilian heat. Hot weather, hot people. And at the best time: Carnival. But even before the Smirnoff Ten got to the party avenue or to the camarote (lounge area from where people can see the parades passing by), they were already loving Brazil. That’s because on the first night we went to dinner at an acaraje (typical food) and the street was already crowded with people dancing while a band played carnival music – “axé”. But the best was seeing them when we got to the camarote and they saw the masses in the street. “I was dancing from up here but connected with the people on the street” – said Kareem, excited. “This is too much energy, I never saw anything like this” – Takashi didn’t stop dancing for one second. On the second day, we went to a bloco – the crowd that follows the parade at the street. I think that they weren’t understanding anything; lots of people following a truck, singing, jumping and kissing each other. It might seem a crazy mess for those that see it from outside, but when you are inside it’s impossible not feel the positive vibrations of a million people together and looking for fun.
I thought I was going to be the most happy of the Smirnoff Ten members, but now I can’t say for sure. I think everybody had unforgettable moments. It was also my first time at Salvador Carnival, but I already knew what to expect. In fact, together with the Smirnoff Carnival Package, it was even better than I could imagine!