South America

There is a moment—just before dawn breaks over Guanabara Bay—when the city of Rio de Janeiro transforms completely. The ordinary hum of traffic gives way to the thunderous pulse of surdos (bass drums). Office workers become sequined passistas (samba dancers). And for five extraordinary days, a metropolis of seven million […]

The drums begin to rumble across the hillsides of Rio de Janeiro. Sequins catch the tropical sun. Somewhere in Lapa, a bateria starts its first rehearsal. This is not just a festival. This is Carnaval—the greatest show on Earth. If you have ever dreamed of losing yourself in a sea […]