Robbed in Rio

99 out of 100 times I look around before I take my phone out in public. 99 out of 100 times I put my back against a wall or object if I have it out for any longer than a quick snap. 99 out of 100 f#¢&ing times I’m aware, cautious and more than a […]
Rio Favorites – Parque Lage

Rio de Janeiro has a million and one things to do in and around town so I decided to start creating short videos (T2T Quickies) to feature some of my favorites. If you like the idea, please don’t hesitate to like, comment and subscribe to my second YouTube Channel, Travel Deeper. Think of it is […]
10 Must See Brazilian Movies to Understand Life, Culture, and History

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 […]
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 […]