Still Carnaval

I wake pretty early. Around 5:30. Which is 9:30 Amsterdam time. I slept very soundly and feel quite refreshed.

I head downstairs for breakfast around 8:00. It's pretty crowded. Mostly with half-dressed people. No bacon, sadly. Instead, they have those chopped up sausages in red stuff. I make do with scrambled egg and cheese. Followed by fruit.

A breakfast of scrambled egg, cheese, coffee and orange juice.

After eating, I venture outside to take a look at Virus, the brewpub around the corner. As it's closed, there's no sign of its existence. Just a rolled-down shutter covered in graffiti. I continue on to the supermarket. Where I get some essentials: cheapo cachaça, cola and cheese. All the big Cs.

On the judges WhatsaApp group, Andreas Kitzinger asks if anyone else is in Rio. And if they fancy meeting up for a beer. I answer "yes". Obviously. Why the fuck wouldn’t I?

I fiddle around trying to get my eSIM to work. Then head back to Virus, where we plan meeting up. There I discover that the eSIM isn't working, for some reason. Brilliant.

Virus is sort of open. You can't go inside, but they've set up a couple of taps in the doorway and set a few tables and chairs on the pavement.

Virus brewpub with temporary taps and tables outside. With a pair of purchasing partygoers.

I have a couple of IPAs. And a roast meat sandwich, which is dead good. With lots of onions. Exactly what I need. The IPA is doing its job, too. That hoppy thing backed up with a bit of oomph. A beer to breakfast on.

A meat sandwich, plastic cup of IPA and a menu on a table.

Many not so much lightly-dressed as slightly-dressed partygoers walk by. I've never seen so many men in fishnet tights and tutus. It has a bit of a Gay Pride air about it. Some of the party people pause to pick up Pils. Always the Pils.

There’s a merry buzz. Everyone is going to a party. I can feel their crackling anticipation as they laugh and drink their way down the road. Anticipation of a good time. A really good time. I’m starting to quite like this Carnaval thing. Everyone is in a really good mood. Even a miserable old git like me.

Virus temporary taps, price list and the inside of the brewery behind them.

Andreas can't make it to Virus on account of the traffic. We plan now to meet up at 3 PM at Os Imoratais in Copacabana. I indulge in some duty-free whisky while I wait. Just enough to warm me up for the evening.

It's a bit of a drive, but the traffic isn't too bad. I get to the pub a little before three and snatch an outside table. And order a caiprinha. As you do. You really can’t go wrong with a caiprinha. When in Brazil.

There's footie on the telly: Club Brugge vs Aston Villa. There’s always footie on the TV in South America. That’s one thing I’ve learnt from my travels.

Os Imortais outside with laughing customers and football on the TV.

I'm on my second caipirinha when Andreas and his girlfriend roll up. He follows my lead and orders a caipirnha. "We'll be drinking enough beer over the next few days." He remarks. Very true, very true.

They sensibly order food. While I stick to cocktails for the time being.

We chat and watch the beautiful - and not so beautiful - people stream by. Eventually, I give in to food and order a pasty. Just like with a caiprinha, you can never go wrong with an empanada.

I'm having no luck with my phone today. I connect to the pub wifi, but without internet. What fucking use is that?

We leave a little after nightfall. Andreas orders me an Uber. Soon I'm bouncing through the darkened Rio streets. Hoping we get to my hotel quickly, as I'm starting to be in need of a piss.

I make the bog without embarrassing myself, you’ll be glad to hear. Well, more embarrassing than the shorts and shirt combination I’m sporting alongside my Solovair shoes (like DMs but much better quality).

There's some sort of event going on in the square outside the hotel. Right next to the kiosk selling beer. What a coincidence. It’s pretty noisy, even with the window closed. Drums, whistles, guitars and singing. It’s full-on music.

I call it a day after a little duty-free whisky. Which leads me to the street of slumber.

I wake at 2:30 to the sound of drumming and singing. They're still at it on the square. They've way more energy than I have. Ah, to be young again.

I go back to bed. And have no trouble sleeping.



Cervejaria Virus
Rua da Carioca, 55
Centro, Rio de Janeiro
RJ, 20050-008.


Os Imortais Bar
R. Ronald de Carvalho, 147
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
RJ, 22021-020.