Bad years can’t start in Rio

That is what I have now come to believe as I look out at the water and see the millions of smiling faces around me. Toasting on the beach in my all white, I am amazed at the level of joy that I feel and how happy everyone around me also is. They toss their flowers into the sea wishing for good luck in this new year and jump seven waves to get their seven wishes. We watch the fireworks and drink champagne as we wiggle our toes in the sand. Shouts of Feliz Ano Novo! Happy New Year!, are shared with friends and strangers alike. In the humid heat we dance along to the Samba in the middle of millions celebrating another year. This is Reveillon! 

Millions throng on Copacabana beach for one of the largest New Years celebrations in the world. Most dress in the customary white and share drinks and food with family and friends. We decided to purchase the Reveillon price fixed meal at Garota de Copacabana. The Copacabana version of the Girl from Ipanema this allowed us to have dinner and champagne at a beachside restaurant. It is pricey. At $100+ US you will find many similar Reveillon packages up and down the beach. We were told to not go this route by a local and instead to just enjoy the party. But when other earlier dinner plans fell through this seemed like the next best option in order to get a meal and still be close to the action.

In the end it was perfect. By the time we got to dessert it was a little after 11:00 pm. They give you a bottle of champagne for each pair of people in your group allowing you to have all you need to toast in the new year. When you arrive at the restaurants for the evening you are given a wrist band which allows you to leave and enter the restaurant for drinks and the restroom all night long. This was perfect since with millions of people you don’t want to have to stand in line for the port a potties and you can return to have a seat when your feet are tired.

Right before midnight we took our bottle of champagne and glasses down to the beach and toasted in the New Year. The energy around us was electric and it is hard to imagine a more beautiful way to start a new year. Everyone was happy and friendly, taking pictures and sharing hugs with complete strangers. After this we went further down the beach to dance in the sand with millions of others. Again the spirit was full of joy, anticipation, fun and absolutely perfect. If this experience is any reflection on the rest of the year it is impossible to imagine that this year will not be great.