Blocos: Carnaval Groups

Blocos can be as large as 5000 members, with 1000 providing security. All members are dressed in identical abadás, or official short sleeved vests, protected by a cordon of security guards. The core of the bloco is the trio eléctrico, a large flat-bed truck from which modern sound systems pump out the tunes of musicians and singers on the roof. A support truck follows, with refreshments, toilets and first aid. The trio eléctrico crawls along at 2km an hour, stopping frequently, and it takes between 5 to 8 hours to complete the traditional 6km city circuit, or 4 to 5  hours for the alternative 4km coastal circuit. Parades run from noon till dawn, it is a wild time. Give yourself to the moment as it is easy to find yourself surrounded by heaving, dancing, gyrating bodies as your body shakes to the beat of pulsating African rhythms. The natives like to kiss.

the pipoca: A reference to packs of Carnival crowds, nontheless dancing as the try to get close to the trio electrico. They are pushed back by many of their number who staff the ropes which allow a protected zone surrounding the moving music altar to be cordoned off by  massive security efforts. The name is a reference to people jumping up and down  like popcorn popping. This is a poorer crowd who are not bashful about putting their hands in your pocket yet there are many veterans of the Carnival on the forums who think this is where you best enjoy the Carnaval

Camarote. These are large rooms on the first or second floor of buildings along the carnival routes, variously offering anything from hot-dogs to sushi, massage and beauty parlours, cyber cafés, live transmission of the carnival, and of course clean toilets, first aid and dance space. A ticket costs between £30 and £75 for a day if bought in advance, with prices varying according to facilities and location.

Abadá is not only the T-shirt [and other parts of the uniform like hat or shorts] that acts as the ticket to allow you inside the ropes of your bloco but also a  capoeira term.  In capoeira it refers to the pants worn.  The word is derived from the Yoruban "agbada", which in Africa meant a long robe of the type worn in Islamic countries (or areas).