We had Brazilian friends in Los Angeles, so we left prepared. One rented us a 2 bedroom apartment for the 2 weeks of carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro. Another gave me the names of her girlfriends and movie friends, like Bruno Barreto and Sonia Braga. Through them I met screenwriter Leopoldo Serràn, who became my close friend. I really enjoyed the quiet lunches at his cool home; they symbolized for me the unhurried Brazilian lifestyle.
The carnival parade is described in detail in the magazine article below, but the fun and the exhaustion of staying up all night is what I most remember.
There were lots of parties as well, at one of them I ran into Arnold Schwarzenegger who wore this costume.
