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Simpatia é quase amor / Sympathy is almost love

"Simpatia é Quase Amor" is one of the most popular "blocos" in Rio, founded in 1985. Its colors are lilac and yellow, chosen after the Engov wrapping - hangover pill that was quite popular by then.

 

Simpatia marches twice every year. The first time is a on Saturday a week before Carnival (when I took these pics). The second time is on Carnival Sunday. This is the same day that another band named Que Merda é Essa?  ("WTF is this?") takes over cross-street Garcia D'Ávila. The confluence of the two bands meeting just one block before the end is deliciously chaotic.

 

Most street gardens along Av. Vieira Souto (the most sophisticated address in Rio) are temporarily "fenced in" to avoid being turned to mush by the thousands of dancing feet.
COMMENTS
Wildthing said at 7:38 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Great people pics, Eduardo. A fun tabblo.
Mirella said at 7:54 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Incredible people, beautiful smiles and beautiful teeth, beautiful children and tatoos...I like "your" Obama, too...ciao
Leftofcenter said at 7:58 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
you're really good at these "people tabblos", the prettiest smiles, the joyful expressions, the energy, the excitement, the sweat, the tattoos. it's like being there! (but I would've translated "Que Merda é Essa" by "wts is this")
Eduardo.affonso said at 8:16 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Thank you, MIKE. Grazie, MIRELLA. "Our" Obama dances much better than the original one... :-)

ANNELIES: Your translation is much better than mine (I just didn't know "wts" was used in English, so I looked for something similar). Most "blocos" (blocks, flocks, groups) have funny or obscene names, which would be quite hard for me to translate. Yesterday the main parade was leaded by "Suvaco do Cristo" ("Christ's armpits"), because they march on the right side of Corcovado, under one of the statue's arms. Other popular blocos are "Vem ni mim que eu sou facinha" ("Try me "cos I'm easy"), "Imprensa que eu gamo" ("Press me and I'll fall in love with you" - created by journalists), "Rola preguiçosa" ("Lazy dove", dove being a slang for male genitalia), etc.
Sirnicolay said at 8:26 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Wonderful, colorful tabblo, Edu! Love those yellow glasses :)
Hhwind said at 9:10 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Eduardo, have heard and seen from pictures about your famous carnival hope to visit your country on a day like this. Great tabblo my friend
Charlespop said at 9:24 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
This is one good set ! I especially love the fake Obama photos . Obligado !
Eduardo.affonso said at 9:48 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
JAMES: Thanks for stopping by.

TEO: You are welcome anytime.

CHARLES: How can you be sure this is not the real Obama, being the fake one in the White House, trying to fix all that mess left by the Republicans?
Moabjeeper said at 10:04 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Great sharp photos. Stunning.
Chaitiamma said at 10:23 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Hahahaha........you almost had me there with the 'Obama' photos !!! Great Fun Tabblo !!!
Welshchick said at 10:40 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
That's our Pres~ Celebrating with the beautiful people! Wow, that one guy has incredibly beefy benevolent biceps!
Chilla said at 11:03 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
A great tabblo of happy people. Super candid shots!
Liliana said at 11:07 a.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Carnaval siempre renovado, preciosas las tomas de chicos sobre los adultos (" a caballito", decimos) y las distintas expresiones de una misma persona. Bien graciosos (o al menos ingeniosos) los nombres de los blocos.¡ Antológica, de concurso, la tercera fotos desde atrás para adewlante (o cuarta): del muchacho negro con sombrero!
Marranei said at 1:07 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Oi, Eduardo! Amei as fotos, ao mesmo tempo que senti não ter podido participar de tamanha colorida (e, imagino, barulhenta) folia... E adorei as traduções pros nomes dos blocos...
Ira said at 1:13 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Wonderful holiday. Joyful. Bright. Multi-coloured. The wonderful people and faces. Expressive. Amusing. Give pleasure. Perfect emotions. Remarkable photos.
Zippywinds said at 1:43 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
fantastic fun captures , happy carnival, beautiful people :)
Chiloedream said at 2:07 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
Quelle ambiance!!!
Magique Rio, Magique Edu!!!
Sd14 said at 4:09 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
a very good tabblo with happy smileing faces well needed to brighten the days in a recession,
lovely to see,
joe???
Hubbley said at 10:29 p.m. on Feb 16, 2009:
E olha que o carnaval só começou... eu acho que a Portela vai sair campeã este ano....
Abraço e até breve...HU
Pkeener said at 9:21 a.m. on Feb 17, 2009:
Eddie! Fun and fantastic! ABsolutely love the portrait of the man in hat at the end. energy, indeed. Reminds me of Mardi Gras! I love the flow of the 5 shots with the yellow sunglasses. All of the expressions on thepeople who saw you are just wonderful!

PS pleaase tell Obama to come back home! He needs to sign the Stimulus Package Bill!!
Loes said at 11:02 a.m. on Feb 17, 2009:
What a wonderful, colourful, enthusiastic group of people, great shots Eduardo!
WEIMAR said at 2:14 a.m. on Feb 18, 2009:
close to the people is the very best place to take such photos, thanks EDU
Noe said at 4:27 p.m. on Feb 21, 2009:
Muy buenos retratos, gracias por compartirlos Eduardo, saludos!
EMA said at 2:42 p.m. on Feb 22, 2009:
Excellent portraits! You captured the soul of the feast! :)
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