10 Must See Brazilian Movies
Before I moved to Brazil, I filtered my Netflix and searched the Internet for Brazilian movies and documentaries to gain some perspective on life here in Brazil. Although many of the Brazilian movies were based on drug trafficking, poverty and favelas (much like Colombian movies), I managed to find a few good ones that portray […]
Brazil Carnival – Highlights from Sambadrome
Carnival in Brazil is celebrated all over the country, especially in Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, however, the most famous visuals from carnival come from the Sambadrome (Sambodromo) stadium here in Rio, where samba schools from all over the city compete in a two day parade to determine a grand carnival champion. Here […]
Brazil Carnival Behind the Scenes (Part 2)
Day Three (cont’d) – After the blocos and the beach, it was time to head to Sambodromo to watch night one of the Carnival parade. The energy of the stadium could be felt from the moment I stepped off the metro as the cheering crowd and beating drums echoed across the night sky. I found […]
Brazil Carnival Behind the Scenes (Part 1)
I decided to document the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro experience for two reasons; The first was to show you all just how epic the celebration is here in Brazil, and the second was so that I could remember what happened the night before. DAY 1 – We started the “official” Carnival celebration with a bloco in […]
Happy at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
It was an amazing week of fun-filled chaos here in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. The costumes, parties and dancing were never ending, so I decided to capture it all on film. Inspired by the hit single “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, this is my rendition from Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I hope it […]
Sunset at Arpoador in Rio de Janeiro
Arpoador is a rocky peninsula located at the east end of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro. It’s one of the best places in the city to experience the beautiful Brazilian sunset and it’s the perfect way to finish a day at the beach or shopping in Ipanema. The sun sets behind the famous Dois Irmãos […]
Brazil Football: Things to Know About Soccer in Rio de Janeiro
(Click here if you can’t watch this video on your device) Your team is chosen for you as a birthright and from that moment forward you support those “colors” like a badge of honor. In many cases, you actually tattoo that badge of honor to your arm, back or chest to prove your devotion. On […]
Enter the Blocos do Carnaval
I just wanted to inform the viewing public that things are escalating quickly here, and if this is only foreplay, than the climax is going to be explosive! Carnival in Rio de Janeiro doesn’t officially begin for another ten days, yet the city is already engulfed in festa (party). Samba schools like Vila Isabel continue […]
Learning Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro
Before I moved to Rio de Janeiro, I asked fellow travelers about the art of learning (Brazilian) Portuguese. To my surprise, they all pretty much responded the same way… “If you know Spanish, you’ll be fine.” I understood that Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and French (among others) are rooted in Latin and are often referred to […]
Brazil Carnival 2014 Preparation with Sabrina Sato
As Rio de Janeiro gears up for Carnaval 2014, my roommate took me to go party with last year’s Carnaval champions, Unidos de Vila Isabel. You’re probably wondering the same thing I was when I showed up at the party and noticed all the trophies… doesn’t everyone win at Carnaval (Carnival)? Turns out, the famous […]