during carnival shops stay open and public transportation services function, however many offices and public institutions can be closed or follow shorter schedules, with everything closed on tuesday, being an official holiday, until mid-day wednesday when things start to get normal again.

in fact, tuesday is the day before ash wednesday, the culmination of the four day carnival celebration and a national holiday in brazil with all government, public organizations and most private businesses closed - it is the last day to drink, eat, party and do everything else to excess before having to give it all up for lent.

by this day the samba schools have finished their competition and await the decision as to which one is the champion, so they too can now partake and enjoy in the festivities.