Carnival in Rio

That year when I moved in Rio, I went all in for Carnaval, and it was unforgettable. I didn’t expect the tickets to be so expensive at first, and honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into. But I ended up going to two full nights of the official parades, and on the last night, I stayed until sunrise.

I still remember that moment... the final samba school, the music echoing through the stadium as the sky started to turn pink. Dawn was creeping in, and something about it felt magical and surreal. After the show ended, people were already cleaning up, pulling things off the stage, and somehow, with a friend, I managed to get onto the parade avenue itself. I walked on the same ground where the dancers and floats had just been, camera in hand, not entirely sure if I was supposed to be there—but completely in awe.

Outside the Sambadrome, I also threw myself into the Blokos, the street parties scattered across the city. I was amazed by the energy, the colors, the costumes... and yes, I got a little carried away too. I collected all kinds of clothes and accessories to dress up for these days. It was wild, joyful, chaotic, and beautiful.

Carnaval in Rio is one of those things I think everyone should experience at least once. It’s not just a party...it’s a whole other world.