Festa Junina vs the 4th of July

I know Festa Junina and the 4th of July are different holidays, but there are some definite similarities. Here's how Festa Junina quenched my cravings for a 4th of July.

1. Crap food. There's a lot of crap food at Festa Juninas. They even have a huge sausage (very hot dog like) on a stick. Given it feels a bit more x-rated to eat than a hot dog but that just adds to the humor of it all.

2. Fireworks. No, not the ones in the sky. Festa Junina opens the doors for obnoxious kids to light things like black cats in any available corner or trash can. Felt like my childhood all over again, minus my brothers blowing up the heads of my barbies.

3. Annoying clothes. While it's not red, white, and blue everywhere it is plaid as far as the eye can see. Festa Junina replaces the overly patriotic shirts and hats with square-dancing gear. I have to say, I think Festa Junina wins out in the costume competition.

4. Beer. This category is kind of weak seeing that beer flows in Rio de Janeiro like water in the rest of the world. Festa Junina is no different, beer is very much included, even at my kids' school party.

5. Fun. Both are a blast if you go to the right party. This years Festa Junina was great. My kids even did a little dance with their classmates. And while we missed the 4th, we did get to dress like country folk and have a good old-fashioned time playing old school carnival games and eating treats.

Living in Brazil Means No 4th of July!

Enjoying the Coronado parade during our visit 2 years ago

I am missing 4th of July this year. For some reason I am feeling the desire to be with my fellow Americans sitting in lawn chairs, drinking mildly cold beer, eating bbq, and watching fireworks. 

It comes as a bit of a shock because I've had years when I totally forgot that it was the 4th. It's not that I don't like the holiday. I just don't live in the US and I accept that. When you don't live there, you don't really get to celebrate all the same holidays. Of course, I do get to dress up in costumes, drink in the street, and dance the samba. 

This year though, I find myself thinking about San Diego, CA, more specifically Coronado,CA. That is where the 4th of July comes to life. 

And as I read status updates from Nado people on Facebook, I feel an inner 'if only' sigh. You see, everyone from Coronado returns for the 4th. It is one big reunion and it rocks! The 3rd of July is party night. People roam the island on their beach cruisers, going from one bar to another meeting everyone on their way. 

On the 4th, way too early, people line up on the median for the parade. It's a lame one, per any small town 4th of July parade, but we are all there anyway. I think it's the joining of community that brings everyone there so early after such a long night. Of course the bloody marys help. Oh yes, all those people you see with the plastic cups have stopped by Danny's on Orange. Best freaking bloody mary in the world and it will burn the hangover right out from under you. I do believe they start serving at 6am on the 4th, though I could be wrong. 

Anyway, the town buzzes with an excitement as high as a child's. Get-togethers are happening everywhere and new guests are always welcome to pop by. 

This year I wish I could be there. My boys are at a great age to take part in all the festivities. 

But if I had to pick one thing to take them to, it'd be the fireworks in the gulf course. I know Rio de Janeiro's New Years fireworks are amazing and kicks Nado's ass. No one is doubting that. 

It's just that there's something to sitting together on a blanket with your parents on the golf course grass. The air would be cool in the evening and I would have brought along blankets. Mr. Rant and I would have had a beer while the kids had some juice and snacks. Our friends and family would have been sitting next to us on their own blankets. 

And then the show would start. The kids would giggle and follow along with the chants of ooohhhhs and ahhhhhs. The radio playing patriotic songs going along with the beat of the fireworks. It's enough to make any expat feel down right proud to be an American. 

It just makes me kind of sad that my boys are going to look at the 4th as some celebration they sometimes go to when they are visiting my side of the family. Or, at the very least, just another day. 

While it's a rare happening, I sometimes get these pangs of sadness over not being able to share my traditions with the boys to their true extent. Then again, the 4th of July I remember included a HUGE bag of illegal fireworks like black cats and those tanks that shot sparkly stuff out and then sometimes caught on fire. I think those good old days are lost to everyone!