Photo Stream

Check out more photos of Bessie during the 2008 Carnaval in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Anhembi Sambodromo

Picture with QB's personal-assistant-trouble shooter-and float-diva-mentor, Virginia. Muito Obrigada meu linda Virginia!!!!  

Very first ensajo at the Amhembi Sambodromo for Vai Vai. 

With a Vai Vai fan.

And with daughter of porta-bandeira (a future Rainha in the making).

Vai Vai was a strong escola from the very start...

Jammin' with Grooveria Band

QB visits Na Mata Bar to meet with members of Grooveria Band whom she met in November. QB jammed with band on congas.

3-Pages In Brasileiro Magazine

CARNAVAL Brasileiro Magazine hits news stands and QB gets 3-full pages!

Grand Champion

Escola de Samba Vai Vai was just announced the Grand Champion of the 2008 Sao Paulo Carnaval. (Photos by Nana Buxani)

—Mabuhay si Queen B!

Around 9 AM, Eric wakes up Queen Bessie to watch the Escola score tabulation on television. After an hour, Vai Vai is announced 2008 Carnaval Champions! Mocidade placed 2nd while Vila Maria is 3rd. The top 5 escolas will have a victory parade on Friday. QB will once again mount Abre Alas of Vai Vai as Carnaval Champions. Her costume for Vila Maria will be worn by Renato's friend to allow QB to focus only on the winning escola. Later that day, QB and Giboy cooks Filipino dinner before John, Nana, and Raymond flies back to New York.

Early Monday

Queen B gets up at 5:30 AM to meet family and Angel at the hotel lobby — the Badillas' flight to New York is at 8:45 AM. Afterwards, QB heads to the hotel and goes back to bed only to get up again at 10:30 AM to check out and transfer all the costumes to Renato's apartment.

Later that day, QB hangs out at Renato's with John, Giboy, Eric, Paulo, Renato, Rafael, Frederico, and Kyle while Rii, Toti, and Francois get ready to head out to the airport.

Sleep-in

QB gets up at 2 PM! She has a quick lunch and goes back to sleep! Afterwards, she meets family, friends, crew, and Renato at her suite to have cake made by Giboy and John. The party lasts until two in the morning!

Family & Friends

About 5 AM, QB meets family and friends in her suite for breakfast of assorted pasteles, empanadas, and guarana juice brought in by Rii, John, Giboy, Francois and Toti. She finally gets to go to bed at 8 AM!

THE Day!

QB spends afternoon with family. Has a mortadela sandwich and a lot of ACAI as she prepares for 1st escola-Vila Maria at 11 pm. 

(Saturday, February 1-2) Bomberos (firemen) help QB mount Vila Maria's 3rd float with 20 Japanese Kodo drummers. Right after Vila Maria's 65 minute passarela, QB had barely 45 minutes to change for next escola, Nene de Vila Matilde which was scheduled to perform at 5:00 am.  Nene had successful passarela which ended at 7:00 am!

QB takes breakfast with Raymond, Ivi, Angel, Paulo and Frederico and finally goes to bed at 9:00am!