I HEART RIO

Terry George’s men of Carnival.

Rio de Janeiro is the one place that draws me back again and again ever since I first visited over 10 years ago. Rio’s Carnaval is one of the most spectacular events on the planet, and that’s what originally drew me to this amazing city but that wasn’t all. There is something in the air that fuels a need to enjoy everything, and everyone, in this corner of Latin America.

Rio’s Carnival has been copied by other cities but from those I have spoken to who have experienced them all, nothing really compares. In February, millions flock to Rio to watch and take part in this colourful procession. Like others, I thought it was just a parade through the streets that ends in one big party after a couple of hours of glitter, feathers and that fantastic samba rhythm. This is not true. It actually takes place in a giant purpose-built stadium known as the Sambódromo. There are smaller block parties that take place over the four-day holiday throughout the rest of Rio, but the main event takes place here.

Carnival is actually a competition between the many samba schools which spend the entire year getting their team ready for this, their main social event. Entrants pull out all the stops bringing together some of the most beautiful Brazilian men and women, young and old. My favourite of all the samba schools is Mangueira, not because of their distinctive green and pink colours, but they seem to be very gay friendly and tend to have the best looking boys on their carnival floats.

Brazilian men are very body conscious and have spent hours in the gym preparing for this annual event. A lot of them have come to recognise me over the years and tend to give me a big smile as I point my camera at them. Even if a cutie is wearing braces it doesn’t prevent them from looking as sexy as hell. Indeed, it just adds another sparkle to their incredible outfits and shows just how confident these gorgeous guys are.

With a foreign influx of over 400,000 during Carnival, prices skyrocket. I tell my friends to jump on the Metro, make their own way to the Sambódromo, and buy tickets on the night. It’s a much cheaper way of doing it and, as with most big events, there is no shortage of people selling tickets outside. The stadium is split into sectors and the best sectors to watch are between six and nine, where, if I am truthful, an equally sexy and handsome audience scream approval at the passing rainbow of sensual, colourful, shimmying attractions.

Although the spectacle lasts for hours, there is a bonus: the ‘after’ pool parties, which are absolutely stunning. These have become a must-do because once the boys have danced and jigged around the Sambódromo, they like nothing better than to flex their superbly honed bodies, dressed in the absolute sexiest nylon minimum, around the pool. Handsome boys, horny boys, stunning boys are everywhere you look and let me tell you, these bronzed gods certainly know how to party.

The city is a mix of rich and poor but work has been done on making the favelas (the hillside slums) into a reasonably safe place to visit. Making a friend and going back to his place is no longer the no-no it perhaps once was, although caution is always a good idea. However, I can assure any visitor will return home with a heart full of brilliant memories, which is so much better than just an I heart Rio T-shirt. >>