I mean, how hard is it to find some Samba in Rio.? Well, if you're traveling with Woz Tours – next to bloody impossible! Although in fairness to Woz, it didn't start out like that.
Wozzer had done his research about Samba before ever leaving Europe. Samba dance classes, Samba drum workshops, Samba drum lessons – a whole list of places to try and strut his stuff.
Of course, like many things in Rio – they do exist, but to an outsider traveling alone, they're shall we say 'off the beaten track' , like in the Favela. Usually Samba schools rehearse in the evening. You'll get my drift when I say that an evening stroll into the Favela isn't really the smartest of ideas.
I knew about Samba City – read it's comprehensive website, knew all the details, times and prices. All I had to do was get there. All the info is here: http://www.sambacity.info/cidade-do-samba.htm
Thursday is the main day – workshops during the day (drum and dance) and a show in the evening. What a great way to finish up my last day in Rio!
I phoned beforehand to check – I'm learning the ways of Rio now. 'Yes, we're open from 10 am' says the lady on the other end of the phone. Directions? I ask. 'Metro to Central, then take a bus – it's only two minutes ride from the station, she adds. “I'll walk from the station says I – can't be far?” NO – DON'T WALK, IT'S TOO DANGEROUS, she shouts down the phone. I mean, we're talking early afternoon here – not after dark.
So out from Central metro, I jump in a cab. “Cidade do Samba por favor” I ask in my best Portuguese. He looks at me and repeats it - he's wearing a strange expression. Si – Samba City, say I. He's locks all the doors of the cab and off we go.
Well, if I had walked it, I probably wouldn't be writing this now. Out of some iffy areas I'd seen in Rio, Gloria district takes the biscuit for me.
A couple of minutes later we're outside Samba City. I pay the cabby 12R$, about four quid for the short trip – I've been done, but what the hell, at least I'm here. He speeds off rapidly.
The girl at the ticket counter is bemused when I ask for a ticket and details of the drum workshop. Why have you come here? She asks giving me the same strange look I received from the cab driver. There's no workshop until carnival next February, she adds helpfully.
I'm stunned - “nothing? Nada?” I repeat.
Another shake of the head from Miss Samba City – “maybe you can look inside if you like”? It'll be 20R$ please.
“What do I get to see”
“Nothing, nada”
I can honestly say at that moment I felt like a real-life Chevvy Chase in the movie 'Vacation' – you remember? The one where he gets to 'Wallyworld' and it's closed?
Tim looks a bit surprised when I get 'home' around an hour after I'd left there. A bit quick, Woz? He drawls – don't ask, I say through gritted teeth.
He and Luciana take pity on me – We go to Lapa that night. Lapa district is, shall we say 'up and coming, in an ethnic sort of way' Well – more coming than up, in my opinion. Luciana did great though – she found me a Samba Show. I didn't get to drum, dance or even mime! But I did finally get close to the action.
I also got quite wobbly on those dammed Caipirinhas again. In at 2.30am – up at 5.30am to catch the coach for the six hour journey to Sao Paulo - courtesy of one of Brasil's famed bus drivers.
Jeez, will I never learn?.....
Previous Comments:
Mike Perry: September 8, 2008
Hi Woz
Great journal! Keep it up and looking forward to the next ones.
Regards
Mike
Hey wozza so enjoying your journal its my only giggle now your not here to annoy. Keep them coming hun. So much fun
I'm loving the blog, you get a real sense of the place. You be careful
of any dusky maidens in bars bearing drinks, a collague of mine took
what was on offer woke up in hospital minus his wordly goods, or those
that he had on him in any case.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Love Kay x
yep, I'm hooked too - get to thinking how you can make a book out of it 
)
I suspect you can just publish it exactly as it is.
Can you get backups of the blog ?
Steve
Hi Woz,
I'm glad that you had an intersting time in Rio (remember it's Hee-OOOO)
Cheers!
realy enjoying the trip lov les x
Well Warren!
What can I say about the incident at Malaga Airport in comparison to Rio? Ha Ha!!
Enjoy Sao Paulo, you never know the grass might even be greener.
Luvs P x
I agree with Steve this is
definately book material, you could make your fortune and do other
trips a la Michael Pallin. Rio sounds an experience lets hope San Paulo
is an improveement, you will be getting more used to everything too not
such a greenie.
Keep safe
Love Kay
x
could have given you lessons before you went
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