“let’s live the love”


We are in our 5^th day. This morning we woke up in our hammocks aboard “Sao Botolomeu” ferry, leaving Para State, Manaus and destined for Santarem (home of the big red monkeys that sing!). We boarded a day early to save on accomodation and set up our gear. The boat has engine problems and needed a new part so we are still aboard, waiting. This set back is seeming more like a set up. We have work to do!; uploading, downloading, editing footage, checking emails and planning for our time in Altamira and at the Belomonte.

The breeze is consistent on the water, weather is beautiful and we are in good company with our Manaus friends seeing us off. We have had a great experience in Manaus so far. It is the home of The Boom Booms first Brazilian show, and always will be.



We have thus far only spent time with Brazilian locals and travellers. All of our crew Aaron, Tom, Sean, Geordie, Theo, Richard, Filipe, Syd, and Jorah have taken our time in these first few days learning; portuguese, new songs and music, playing techniques, dance, and where different instruments fit in the music. The biggest lessons so far have been taken in from the noises all around us. Though we hear some Adele and Coldplay remixes we have heard an array of bright, rhythmic tunes on the radio. Soca, Reggaeton, Samba rhythms blasting in the street and in stores, its always alive in the city.

In our third night out we walked the uneven streets, meandering through traffic before reaching a small “lanchonete” with live music and some senhor partiers. Lanchonetes are very common in Brazil, they are small restaurants serving patio beer and sandwiches, sometimes with live music . We had passed this place earlier in the day and the same group was playing. The musicians were so relaxed and fluent with the music, switching from anthem-like Sambas and Bossa Novas. We learned later from them that one of the most important techniques is to relax; “Just let this music play at your finger tips, relax your body”. The group moved with the musicians to another lanchonete across town and danced for hours. Listening closely we were all inspired. Arron and Sean took the stage after a few hours of dancing and began playing brazilians tunes they had been practicing over the few months preparation for our trip. We then all grabbed an instrument and showed some of our songs. We had people stopping in the street in curiousity and checking out this foreign sound. All of us, playing with just one member of their group, was so insightful and so much fun! The crowd danced until 5 in the morning and we waded home saturated in new music and Brahma beer, Oh Brahma. 7 hours of sleep and 7 hours of dancing in a day, we are preparing for Carnaval, only 2 weeks away!!