It’s not by chance that Brazilians and foreigners alike call it the Marvelous City. Rio de Janeiro’s very name evokes fun, fashion, desire, danger. The names of neighborhoods like Copacabana and Ipanema are synonymous with sensuality. This is a town about breathtaking natural scenery, revealing dress habits and (need we say it?) quite the knack [...]
Rio Carnival 2013: Everything You Need to Know to Get Ready
January 8, 2013 | Posted by
The biggest of all the carnival celebrations taking place around the world is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Huge numbers of revellers descend on the city each year to enjoy four days of partying. Here, we’ve put together a list of 10 frequently asked questions to help you understand the Rio Carnival. 1. When [...]
Brazil, Colombia Grappling with Racism that Keeps Blacks on Bottom
November 1, 2012 | Posted by
For decades, Brazil touted itself as the most racially diverse society in the world, celebrating the idea that there was no racism in Brazil because its society was a melting pot made up of Brazilians with hues across the spectrum. But that idea of Brazil has been torched as the nation in recent years has [...]
Brazil Deploys Troops in Rio To Protect Voters for Sunday Election
October 2, 2012 | Posted by
In anticipation of countrywide elections in Brazil on Sunday, the country has deployed thousands of army and navy troops in the poorest neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro to make sure that voters aren’t intimidated by the local drug lords. In past elections, drug gangs or vigilante groups have frightened voters into casting ballots for the [...]
Drug Dealers Trying to Stop Sale of Crack in Rio
August 19, 2012 | Posted by
Decades after the crack epidemic first hit the streets of America’s black communities, individuals and families are still struggling to recover from the devastating impact of the drug. In Brazil, the drug has had a similar effect, turning the population of low income areas into addicts. Crack was introduced to the Rio de Janeiro region [...]
Rio Encouraging Visitors to Volunteer While There
May 10, 2012 | Posted by
Travelers flock to Rio for a host of reasons, most are purely for a good time, but Rio also wants travelers to have a chance to give back and do good while there. For those who want to visit the Cidade Maravilhosa and do more then soak in the beach, there are a host of [...]
