When Brazilians have confidence that an endeavour is going to be successful, they say ‘Vai dar praia’ — literally, ‘It’s going to give beach’. Few countries’ cultures are so closely entwined with sun, ...

I was inspired (or, if you believe in such things, divinely mandated) to road trip through Brazil during a spiritual ceremony. The idea came from my shaman, herself born and raised in the state of São ...