So on Saturday I went to my first bloco - bloco's are basically street parties... they are incredibly organised though and the performers practice for months before Carnival. I was lucky enough to hook up with Joanna, Bel's sister, who plays the drums for Bateria; one of the groups holding a bloco. We met up in Botafogo, the area around which the bloco parades, around 2pm for Choppe (the draught beer here) and some of the best BBQ'd meat i've ever tasted (again)... (maybe it tasted even sweeter this time because it was all free!)... Hanging around backstage at the bloco, there were only 20 people or so. Within a few hours though there were thousands and thousands! Loads of people in fancy dress, bright colours abounded, confetti & streamers were being thrown in the air and everyone was getting into the party spirit. We followed the van and the troupe of drummers around the street and the sounds were just amazing. Bateria played a mixture of traditional samba music and electro beats and it was just incredible to be a part of it. I felt really safe throughout, didn’t see any trouble and made some great friends (for the day – Brazilian style!)… We left around 8pm and it was still going on! After a quick change at the apartment we opted for a lovely fish supper with some Columbians we met waiting for a table, and Deep Dish at the Jockey Club with some 3-4000 people. I used the old Izzy blagging magic to get Tom & I in for free – you’ve gotta love the BBC Id sometimes!