17 October 2010

Week 4: Brazil Independence Day Parade


We took a couple of taxis to get to the parade from our house because we didn't have a car. Also, it probably would have been difficult to find a place to park. It certainly was difficult to find a place to watch the parade and get a decent view. The city did set up a several bleachers that held about a couple of thousand people, but we did not arrive early enough, nor did we have the right credentials to be able to sit in that area.

We ended up being with the people and got to practice our Portuguese. The city also set up a row of fences in order to prevent people from stepping out into the parade route. They also posted military police officers every 20 feet or so along the parade route to remind us to stay on our side of the fence. One of the unfortunate consequences of the fence is that it didn't allow for anyone in the front to sit, so there was no good way to get a good view unless you were in the front, climbed a tree, or we're over six feet tall. I managed to find a small bump to stand on by the side walk and hold my camera up to see the parade through the view screen.

None of use qualified in that way, but little children have a way a getting to the front in Brazil. Our parade viewing neighbors grabbed our smallest children, commenting on their beauty, and passed them up to the fence and then over to the other side of the fence where they were able to sit on the road and watch. My kids were a little hesitant to leave us, but it was a better view. They were a little disappointed that no one threw candy from the tanks.
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