This missive comes to you from Rio de Janeiro - more specifically the Ipanema Plaza, a mere bellyflop from Ipanema Beach. As the hub of Rio's gay quarter, this stretch of shore is normally full of fabulously attractive young men playing volleyball as their pants struggle to contain their willies. Today, however, it's full of gypsies.

I'm here following Gogol Bordello, everybody's favorite multi-ethnic Balkan punk band, as they weave through Brazil on a South American tour. I write this at 6am. Singer Eugene Hutz is playing acoustic guitar and drinking copious amounts of Caipirinha. Singer and dancer Pamela Racine is giggling and swimming towards the horizon. I'm just doing everything I can not to melt.

Read more...