I am fascinated by life on the streets in Salvador. Any given day there is something new (and everyday, so far, fireworks). Today, I witnessed what I would call the Brazilian equivalent of the singing telegram. It was about 8:30 p.m. and we'd just finished our evening meal when music and a voice over a PA system erupted from the street below. Basically, a small car pulled up at the building next door and opened its hatchback to reveal a television and some big speakers. A man with a deep Casey Kasem-esque D.J. voice began speaking over the PA, wishing Ana Alice (Ah-nuh Uh-lee-see) a happy birthday. So, Ana Alice, along with--I'm guessing--friends and family hung out on the sidewalk for the celebration. This consisted of a few songs, a slide show (I think) of Ana Alice on the television and the D.J. talking over a microphone about what a wonderful lady Ana Alice was. It went on for about twenty minutes or so as several more people gathered and a mix of music and birthday wishes continued to blare over the loud speaker. The celebration culminated in a birthday song and an acceptance speech by Ana Alice, who, I might add, sounded like a very sweet lady. I think she liked her birthday telegram. It was definitely a party on wheels. Hilarious. I stood there with a giant grin on my face watching as I rushed my husband to get the camera so I could record, as I hardly felt I could do it justice by description alone. Here are a couple of takes, note the FIREWORKS (!) in the second take:
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How funny! i haven't seen any quite so personal as that! Ours here are usually without TV's, well actually i have not seen one with a TV yet..the just hatchbacks with speakers or my personal favorite the bike with huge speakers on the back! And they are adverstising for the drug stores or groceries! And there is another one I havent figured out yet that comes by once a week!!
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