Brazil’s Samba beats the blues
Down at the Copacabana, the greatest party on earth is in full swing today.
The first time I went to the Rio Carnival I was annoyed. The thing is, I had to pay to get in, and having to pay for anything I thought was going to be free, instantly puts a downer on it.
No, I had this idea that the Carnival would be a spontaneous outpouring from the grass roots of Brazil’s most vibrant city. The rhythm of the Samba would be oozing from the streets and it would be gratis, without charge, on the house. To be fair it was everything I expected, and probably more. I was just too upset at the time that I had to stump up the cash.
Held in February at the peak of the Brazilian summer, half a million visitors flock to the Rio Carnival every year, adding to the million local revelers. Lasting over four days, it culminates with the famous “Samba Parade” , which the Samba schools spend all year preparing for.
Learn to Samba, douse your costume in sequins and feathers and get ready to dance all night - not dissimilar to the the greenwood management Christmas party!
Get to the point man.
Brazil is in full party mode, not just for the Carnival but the nation as a whole. Whenever I go there, it seems to be bursting with energy and optimism. TV channels aren’t conducting a never ending post mortem into the recession.
The blame culture seems to be left for Europe and America to wrestle over. Our bankers should be horse-whipped, paid a flat rate of 3 dollars a day, then left to clean the canteen toilets.
But Brazil seems to have abandoned the rear-view mirror mentality and is confidently samba-ing into the future. Talk of the football World Cup, the Olympic games, new oil discoveries, massive construction projects left right and centre.
Arriving back at in Europe, it feels like I’ve been out on a cracking night out, only to be in so much trouble for returning home intoxicated, with Brazilian enthusiasm. Back to reality. Grumble, groan, doom, gloom.
A Brazilian chap was on Bloomberg today. I say chap. his name was Eike Batista, Brazils richest man. Amongst other things, Mr Batista was talking about the importance of the big new oil discoveries for Brazil. Naturally he is involved..being Brazils richest man. He also spoke about the booming demand for Brazilian steel, especially from China (Brazils largest trading partner). Much of the massive industrial growth in China is being fed by Brazilian steel, for which the energy supply chain now has to be met from Brazilian forestry plantations, using exotic species such as eucalyptus and acacia.
At least Bloomberg cheered me up abit.
