#Carnival preparations are underway in Rio as Brazilian dancers perform in the streets on November 15, 2016. _ "While the Carnival spectacle of thousands of dancers and massive samba school floats parading inside Rio’s Sambadrome is undeniably enchanting and famed worldwide, I have found myself more drawn to the intimate beauty of Rio’s Carnival ‘blocos’, or street parades. Of the more than 500 ‘blocos’ in the city, ‘Rio Maracatu’ is certainly one of the most traditional and spiritual. Their hypnotic rhythms and dance are more often seen and heard in Northeast #Brazil. While Carnival may be more then three months away, Rio Maracatu are already gearing up their ‘ensaio’, or practice, winding through the streets of Rio’s historic #Lapa neighborhood. What a beautiful way to spend an afternoon." - mario_tama | #GettyImagesNews