I thought I knew rain. Actually, I never really thought about rain until Saturday, February 7th. Growing up (for the most part) in the US, my idea of “wacky” was an organized and contained spirit week. Even living in São Paulo for the last few years and experiencing chaotic Lollapalooza’s and concerts, nothing could’ve prepared me to arrive at Avenida Henrique Schaumann and have the sky practically collapse on me.
For context, there are no fences, no tickets, and no structure for the thousands of people that come to party. And don’t get me wrong, I was aware of this beforehand, using my classic “demolished” boots and a hidden fanny pack.
But the second I stepped out of the car, none of that mattered. In seconds, my boots were filled with rain and my mascara completely melted by the actual buckets of rain thrusted by the clouds. Pools of water, glitter stuck to everything, and eyes struggling to open with so much rain. Yet, practically no one left, not that you really could leave, but everyone remained upbeat and energetic.
As someone who is used to structure, whether SAT prep or Mr. V’s classroom setup, it’s safe to say this was not that. But, the chaos (without accounting for the cellphones stolen) was light and more so a collective release.
Now I know I always find a way to talk about social media, but it was almost surreal to see no one trying to look cool or take pictures for instagram. Just humans wanting to enjoy each other’s company, a soaked but euphoric experience.
At the start, I was constantly looking at my reflection in my glasses worried about my hair sticking to my forehead and my mascara running. But at a certain point I embraced the unpredictable messiness and enjoyed the imperfect perfect conditions.
Would I do it again?
Definitely.
But the question now is…would you?
Take the short quiz below to find out:
- If it starts pouring rain in the middle of a party, is your first instinct:
A) Leave immediately
B) Stay and see what happens - How do you feel about crowds?
A) I need personal space at all times
B) I can handle temporary chaos if the vibe is good - Your shoes are ruined. What’s your reaction?
A) This was a mistake
B) Worth it - Plans fall apart. The schedule dissolves. No one knows what time anything ends.
A) Stress
B) Freedom - You’re drenched, sweaty, slightly glitter-covered, and singing loudly with strangers.
A) Nightmare
B) Weirdly great
If most of your answers were A, you probably like some structure. You want to know where you’re going, who you’re with, and how you’re getting home. A bloquinho in heavy rain might feel more exhausting than fun. You might enjoy Carnaval more from the TV or apartments rather than the center muvuca.
If most were B, you’re probably fine with things getting messy. You don’t mind if plans dissolve a little. You’re okay trading comfort for the experience. A street packed with people in the rain wouldn’t scare you off and you should definitely attend the next bloquinho.
