Our goal while traveling Latin America early in 2011 was to finish in Rio de Janeiro for the Carnaval. While in a small town in southern Bolivia named Tupiza which appeared straight out of the wild west, we happened (without planning or realizing it) to be there on the day of their yearly Carnaval. Although it lacked the grandeur of the Sambadrome, each dance group would spend months preparing costumes and individual dances in a unique and traditional fashion. The lack of tourists and front row view (these photos were literally taken from on the street about a foot from each performer) added to the intimacy and magic of the performances. Towards the end the dancers pulled the two of us onto the street to dance in the parade with them. This experience was a brilliant reminder as to the reasons why I love traveling.