Azlan Strider: World Celebrations

Hye Readers,

World Celebrations

A fire breather performs during carnival celebrations in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. In 2003 the UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A dancer performs during the parade of Vai-Vai samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

People participate in the Banda de Ipanema carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

A reveler makes a face during carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. In 2003 the UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A dancer from the Dragoes da Real samba school performs on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

A man paints a woman's face during Carnival celebrations along Ipanema beach on February 18, 2012 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Carnival is the grandest holiday in Brazil, annually drawing millions in raucous celebrations culminating on Fat Tuesday before the start of the Catholic season of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday. Police strikes in Salvador and Rio de Janiero in recent weeks threatened Carnival and raised questions about the country's preparedness to host the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Members of Rocinha dance during the samba school's parade group A at Rio de Janeiro's carnival on February 18, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Carnival is the biggest and most popular celebration in Brazil, running all over the country from February 17 to 21.(Photo by Buda Mendes/LatinContent/Getty Images)

Mud covered revelers hug tourists during their "Bloco da Lama" or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A man covered in mud holds up his mud covered dog as another reveler takes a picture during the "Bloco da Lama" or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Dancers perform the traditional "Diablada" or Dance of the Devils during Carnival celebrations in Oruro, Bolivia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. The Carnival in Oruro always opens with the "Diablada," a ritual dance of good and evil that has remained unchanged since colonial times. Next to Rio, the mountain mining town is host to the largest carnival in South America with an estimated participation of 30,000 dancers and up to 150 marching bands. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Revelers hold hands as they fall back into the mud during the "Bloco da Lama," or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People covered in mud walk during the "Bloco da Lama" or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Revelers give beer to a homeless man during the Cordao da Bola Preta carnival parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Thousands of people gathered Saturday to march with one of Rio's most popular and traditional blocos or parade groups, created in the early 1900's and believed to be named for a beautiful woman wearing a black and white polka-dress. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Revelers dance during the Cordao da Bola Preta carnival parade in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Thousands of people gathered Saturday to march with one of Rio's most popular and traditional blocos or parade groups, created in the early 1900's and believed to be named for a beautiful woman wearing a black and white polka-dress. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Dancers parade on the first day of Carnival celebrations in Oruro, Bolivia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Next to Rio de Janeiro, the mountain mining town is host to one of the largest carnivals in South America with an estimated participation of 30,000 dancers and up to 150 marching bands. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A marching band parades on the first day of Carnival celebrations in Oruro, Bolivia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Next to Rio de Janeiro, the mountain mining town is host to one of the largest carnivals in South America with an estimated participation of 30,000 dancers and up to 150 marching bands. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

A dancer from the Dragoes da Real samba school performs on a float during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

A performer from the Dragoes da Real samba school dances during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Dancers perform on a float during the parade by the Dragoes da Real samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

A reveler in costume takes a rest during the Banda de Ipanema carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Mud covered revelers get sprayed with water during the "Bloco da Lama," or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

People participate in the Banda de Ipanema carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. Carnival runs Feb. 17-21. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

People play in the mud, including a pet dog, during the "Bloco da Lama," or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A mud covered reveler wears a costume during the "Bloco da Lama," or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Mud covered revelers get sprayed with water during the "Bloco da Lama," or "Mud Block" carnival parade in Parati, Brazil, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

A performer waves from the top of a float during carnival celebrations in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. The UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2003. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A reveler performs during carnival celebrations in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. In 2003 the UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Revelers perform in costume during carnival celebrations in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. The UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2003. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A reveler performs during carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, Saturday Feb. 18, 2012. In 2003 the UNESCO declared Barranquilla's carnival a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

A float with figures depicting French soccer player Zinedine Zidane and U.S. President Barack Obama parades during the 128th edition of the Nice Carnival, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Nice, southern France. This year the carnival is celebrating the theme "King of Sport." (AP Photo/ Lionel Cironneau)

The King and the Queen of the Nice Carnival 2012's floats parade during the 128th edition of the Nice Carnival, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, in Nice, southern France. The carnival celebrates the theme "King of sport." (AP Photo/ Lionel Cironneau)