The Carnival in the  Streets (blocos) of Rio 
(a loose translation of O Carnaval nos blocos do Rio 
in Reator by Anita da Silveira Julia Leal)

Anita of the Silveira
Loyal Julia

The Suvaco of the Christ (to the right) and appeared Tuesday 17 to the Miscellany of Carnival.  The carnavalesco is only starting.  To be in the wonderful City of Rio is one of the best options. (for Carnaval) It is enough to know the time and location. 

The REACTOR prepared one selection of the best blocs to experience the Carioca (native of Rio) Carnival.

Unidos das Carmelitas Carmelitas
Friday and Tuesday at 6:00PM. People gather in the Bar of the  (Rua Dias de Barros, perto do Largo do Curvelo) This historical bloco, tells the legend of a cloistered Carmelite nun who, when seeing and hearing a bloco parading in the streets of Saint Teresa, did not resist and ran away from the convent, returning on the Tuesday of Carnival.
(O trajeto da terça-feira é o inverso do de Sexta - The passage of the Tuesday is the inverse one of the one of Friday. )

The Bloco of Carmelitas attracts, inhabitants of Santa Teresa, traditional carnavalesco, many young people from the South Zone of the Rio (Zona Sul- includes LemeCopacabana-Ipanema-Leblon) and tourists.

Thus, to walk for slopes of Saint Teresa (for a few years a pleasant and amusing task), has became an arduous and claustrophobic exercise lately. The situation becomes worse after some beers and a full bladder.   Much of this can be attributed to the decay of the known blocos of the South Zone, which have moved away from the traditions.   The Carmelitas were a good alternative until it became so crowded. 

Concentra mas não sai
Friday from the 20:00 (8:00PM). Rua Ipiranga 54 (Bar Severina), Laranjeiras.
Bloco that does not move.  It has a good band, is ideal for the carnavalesco who are  sluggish and that enjoy a cold beer and socializing with friends.


Bloco do Bip-Bip
Friday and Tuesday (perhaps) from the 23:00(11:00PM). Bar Bip-Bip. Street Admiral Gonçalves, 50 - Copacabana.  Leaves at midnight.
Small bloco, with traditional sambistas. Its flavor is in the disorganization and the spontaneity during the parade. Reminds you of old sambas, to go fantasiado and not to have fear of being nostalgic (sentimental). The average participant is 40 years old, but many young appear full of the joy the of oldest. As the route of the bloco is short seems long.  .


Cordão do Bola Preta
Saturday at 10:00AM. Corner of Streets ruas Evaristo da Veiga and Treze de Maio, Cinelândia. The penalty for a lack of sleep was never so great.  Much caffeine will be necessary to enjoy one of the best - and more traditional - blocos of the Carnival. Be prepared to hear old marchinhas and to mingle with carnavalesco of all  ages.
The great number of people do not detract from the bloco having a feeling of  being relaxed and aconchegante. Clothing with polka-dots is essential.


Barbas
 Saturday, leaves at 14:00(2:00PM). Corner of the streets of  Assis Bueno and Arnaldo Quintela, Botafogo.
Known for the water truck that refreshes the carnavalesco, it practically counts on larger people and children.  Watch out for water coming from the new toy of a child of ten years of age.

Fla-Flu
Saturday,  Maracanã
Commemorates the Carnival duel between Philip and Romário for the Guanabara Goblet.

Simpatia é quase Amor
 Sunday, leaves at 17:00(5:00PM). Praça General Osório, Ipanema.
Completing twenty years in 2004, this is one of the most popular blocos of the Carioca Carnival. Ideal for more people who prefer not to run risks.  The scenery, along the beach, is beautiful. It’s colors are yellow and lilac, in homage to Engov.


 Que Merda é Essa
Sunday leaves at 14:00(2:00 Pm). Bar Paz e Amor (Garcia D`Ávila at Nascimento Silva, Ipanema)


 Cordão do Boitatá
Sunday
For only fanatics, the Boitatá do not to divulge the hour nor the place of its meeting. However, informers guarantee that the bloco will leave the Rua do Mercado at 15:00(3:00PM) in 2005.  This is one of the few blocos working hard to maintain the tradition ( for this, it is a bit elitist).


É do Pandeiro
Domingo e terça-feira a partir das 17:00. Domingo: Rua Joaquim Silva, Lapa (onde era o Semente). Terça: Jardim de Alah.
Sunday and Tuesday leaves at 17:00(5:00PM). Sunday: Street Joaquin Hisses, Lapa (where the street begins??). Tuesday: Garden of Alah.
Nothing better to relax Sunday after the Cordão do Boitatá and to hear a band composed for pandeiristas. 

Bloco de Segunda
Monday leaves at 17:00(5:00PM). Cobal of the Humaitá.

At Bloco de Segunda count on amusing and political sambas. Is guaranteed diversion and a good solution for day a quiet day. 


Bloco da Ansiedade
 Tuesday leaves at 17:00(5:00PM). Mercadinho São José, Laranjeiras For those who do not want more samba.  This bloco plays frevo.


Apuração dos votos
Wednesday
A good one to attend is the verification of the votes in the  quadra da sua escola


Voltar pra que?
 Thursday leaves 20:30(8:30PM). Beco da Cirrose, rua Álvaro Alvim, Lapa.
It is the last bloco to parade, makes homage to the Teatro Rival. Don’t forget to take a shot of cachaça with ginger in the Carlitos.


Shows na Lapa (Rio Carnavalesco)
 Every day, at 19:00(7:00PM).
An excellent bloco for the end of the night. The musical style vary each day, however, all are good: the environment is pleasant and it always has the option to sit at a bar table and to ask for a chope (draft beer).