seekingmygreaterperhaps

Oi gente! Réveillon is what Brazilians call New Year Eve’s. Copacabana is legendary for its incredible fireworks show and traditions.

Everyone in Rio wears all white on New Year’s Eve- I knew this ahead of time, so I was on the hunt for a white dress. Luckily, we found one at a street vendor outside the Museu de Amanha while we were trying to find a museum to go to. It fit like a dream, and I had my outfit ready! Other traditions for Brazilians on NYE are to wear specific colored underwear for what you want in the new year: red for love, yellow for hope, green for money. I didn’t think that far ahead though, opa.

As it just so happens… of course the day after my dad and Janet left, the sun came out and it was the perfect beach day. So on the last day of the year, I spent time soaking up the sun (under and umbrella, because this gringa definitely gets sunburnt). But this was a nice way to spend the last day of 2022.

I am really enjoying making Brazilian friends. They are teaching me all sorts about Brazilian culture and way of life. Brazilians are some of the warmest people I’ve met. Andrea is featured above. Andrea and her family were coming to Rio for NYE, and her long time friend’s aunt has an apartment in Copacabana and they were having a party. So I was invited, and I felt weird because I’m like- I don’t know anyone but you. Andrea assured me it would be fine, and it was! Everyone was very excited to meet me, and were offering me all sorts of food and drinks and being so friendly. It was like I was having a NYE party with my own family.

The fireworks display was *hands down* the best fireworks I have ever seen in my life. There were 5 barges anchored in the ocean that were shooting off an incredible display along the entirety of Copacabana beach for a solid 10 minutes. SOOOO many fireworks. It was stunning.

The next Brazilian tradition I took part in was jumping over 7 waves and making 7 wishes for the new year after midnight. Conveniently, we were along one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, so it was easy to get some good jumps in. Other people throw flowers into the water as an offering to a sea goddess, but I passed on this part, not really my style. In the picture above, you can see some cruise ships in the background as well. I bet that would be a really epic way to celebrate!

I’m not sure where the coming years will take me, but this was certainly an incredible way to celebrate the New Year! I’m not sure why anyone would want to celebrate it any other way.

An amazing sunset to close out the 1st day of the New Year! This is a view of Copacabana.