I'm Afro-Brazilian and visited Brazil for the first time during Carnival. The trip felt like coming home, and I can't wait to go back.

Malik PeayMar 15, 2023, 17:12 IST

Performers on a float at the Carnival celebration at Rio de Janeiro's Sambradome.Carl de Souza/Getty Images

In February, I spent a week in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with friends for the Rio Carnival festival.
Seeing the floats and performers, and places my Brazilian grandpa told me about, felt magical.

I'm part Brazilian but before this past February, I had never visited Brazil. That changed when I traveled to Rio De Janeiro to attend Carnival.

The author, who is part Brazilian, went to Brazil and Carnival for the first time.Malik Peay

Carnival, or carnaval in Portuguese, is a multi-day festival held in Rio de Janeiro each year.

Carnival celebration at Rio de Janeiro's Sambradome.Carl de Souza/Getty Images

Arriving in Rio, I immediately noticed that everyone looked like me. It made me feel more connected to where my family came from.

The author was primarily spoken to in Portuguese once he landed in Brazil.Malik Peay

My friends and I bought tickets for the stadium where Carnival performances happen, and I thought seeing the extravagant floats up close was incredible.

The author's friends at Sambadrome Stadium, left, and a Carnival float, right.Malik Peay

I was shocked to learn that dancers practice for a year to be in the parade, and the floats take months to create. I felt a sense of pride for the hard work that local artists put into making Carnival happen.

Carnival floats can take months to create.Malik Peay

I was shocked to learn that dancers practice for a year to be in the parade, and the floats take months to create. I felt a sense of pride for the hard work that local artists put into making Carnival happen.

I knew of Carnival's party scene reputation, but I saw the real side of Rio at street parties put on by locals outside of the stadium, with pop-up bars, DJs, and more.

Rio's block parties during Carnival went late into the night and early morning.Malik Peay

One afternoon to relax, my friends and I drove to Dois Irmãos, a mountain peak near Rio's beaches that I'd only ever seen in pictures. Finally seeing it in person felt surreal.

The author and his friends rented a beach house in Joá, a neighborhood in the west zone of Rio.Malik Peay

One afternoon to relax, my friends and I drove to Dois Irmãos, a mountain peak near Rio's beaches that I'd only ever seen in pictures. Finally seeing it in person felt surreal.

Besides Carnival, my weeklong trip included many afternoons at Ipanema Beach in Rio, which was the liveliest beach I'd ever been to, and where I saw how locals relax.

Ipanema Beach was filled with sunbathers and beach umbrellas.Malik Peay

Throughout the trip, I tried different types of Brazilian food. All the dishes I had were hearty and fulfilling, and felt like comfort food.

The author tried different kinds of Brazilian food while in Rio.Malik Peay

Another thing I loved about the local culture in Rio was how welcoming everyone was, and how easy it was to make new friends.

The author with his friends in front of one of Rio's beaches.Malik Peay

My first trip to Brazil was everything I hoped it would be and more, and I left feeling more in touch with my Afro-Brazilian roots.

The author and his friend during Carnival.Malik Peay

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I'm Afro-Brazilian and visited Brazil for the first time during Carnival. The trip felt like coming home, and I can't wait to go back.

I'm part Brazilian but before this past February, I had never visited Brazil. That changed when I traveled to Rio De Janeiro to attend Carnival.

Carnival, or carnaval in Portuguese, is a multi-day festival held in Rio de Janeiro each year.

Arriving in Rio, I immediately noticed that everyone looked like me. It made me feel more connected to where my family came from.

My friends and I bought tickets for the stadium where Carnival performances happen, and I thought seeing the extravagant floats up close was incredible.

I was shocked to learn that dancers practice for a year to be in the parade, and the floats take months to create. I felt a sense of pride for the hard work that local artists put into making Carnival happen.

I knew of Carnival's party scene reputation, but I saw the real side of Rio at street parties put on by locals outside of the stadium, with pop-up bars, DJs, and more.

One afternoon to relax, my friends and I drove to Dois Irmãos, a mountain peak near Rio's beaches that I'd only ever seen in pictures. Finally seeing it in person felt surreal.

Besides Carnival, my weeklong trip included many afternoons at Ipanema Beach in Rio, which was the liveliest beach I'd ever been to, and where I saw how locals relax.

Throughout the trip, I tried different types of Brazilian food. All the dishes I had were hearty and fulfilling, and felt like comfort food.

Another thing I loved about the local culture in Rio was how welcoming everyone was, and how easy it was to make new friends.

My first trip to Brazil was everything I hoped it would be and more, and I left feeling more in touch with my Afro-Brazilian roots.