It’s always samba time in Rio de Janeiro. The city doesn’t take congregation, celebration, or commemoration jokingly, it seriously lives and breathes them, honoring its colorful and expansive history with heart and rhythm. I had the trip of a lifetime during my last two weeks as a 21‑year‑old, fulfilling my younger self’s wish to touch the sand in Ipanema, dance alongside the stands of Carnaval, and completely immerse myself in the beauty that is Rio.
I can only describe the experience as otherworldly. I often felt like I wasn’t fully present enough—my feet never stopped tapping; they hardly stayed on the ground. From February 12–26, I lived through the height of Carnaval: a week‑long explosion of music, dance, and Brazilian identity. From bloco street parties winding through historic neighborhoods to the Sambadrome, where samba schools compete for the year’s crown and every after‑party in between Rio’s Carnaval never falls short. Think bold costumes, color everywhere, and glitter on everything. There’s beauty in everything and everyone. One of my biggest takeaways from traveling abroad was the reminder that “it doesn’t have to be this way,” especially in reference to Toronto. The city may not have Rio’s year‑round sun or vibrant beaches, but there’s so much it can learn from places like this—about giving back to the community, promoting togetherness, and celebrating the joy of simply living. This year’s Carnaval was vibrant and unabashedly sexy, marked by a surge in international visitors and fresh, inventive ways of honoring and showcasing Brazilian culture.
More coming soon... it’s midterms right now