It is a sad day when the economy starts affecting how we party.
From where he sits inside Rio's Sambadrome, a snack vendor mulls what the global financial crisis means for "the greatest party on earth."
First, the bad news: fewer foreigners at this year's Carnival.
"The gringos who are coming this year – there are substantially fewer, and those who are coming are spending less money," Cagiza Acides Paixao said.
On the upside: In Rio, nothing can stop a good time.
"Carnival in Brazil – with its marvelous sun, beaches, samba all year round, and, you know, the girls – it will shine, with or without a crisis," Paixao said as samba music blasted from his small shop.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2009.