Carnival is a time when Brazil nearly stops. Many Brazilians work the year round to prepare for carnival. Gyms are more packed in the weeks before than any other time of year and it is seen as nearly a sin if you have to work during these days of celebration. Though not all Brazilians share this passion for the carnival events and activities, it is widespread.

This year I had the pleasure of spending carnival in Rio De Janeiro, the biggest celebration in the world. Famous for its scope, its energy and its imagery, Rio is broadcast the world over during these five crazy days of celebration.

While most of the populace takes time off from work to enjoy the beaches, the parades and the celebration, some people still have to work and some choose to work. Rio attracts millions of tourist each year but the peak of the never ending tourism season is carnival. This is common knowledge and some of the citizens take advantage of that.

Brazil is a country of staggering inequality and no place gives more evidence than Rio. Just above the thousand dollar a night hotels of Copacabana, Leblon and Ipenema, the favelas crawl up the mountains waiting to be washed away in the heavy rains typical to the area. While many people live lavish, luxurious lifestyles in Rio amidst the beautiful backdrop of the breathtaking geology, millions live in shanties constructed without regard to building code and below human habitation standards.

For many of the residents of such areas, crime is an enticing option offering much more than would a regular job if they were able to get one. Drug trafficking occupies most who make this choice. Those who don’t find a place among the hierarchy of the narcotics game look to the city.

Though it is by no means a new phenomenon, this year seemed to be marked by increased criminal activity. In the 48 hours before carnival officially opened on Friday, 57 tourists had already been robbed, most of them in their hotels. I was personally robbed at knife point on the street in the neighborhood of Lapa. Every foreigner that I talked to had been robbed there in Rio during carnival. The final statistics are impossible to ascertain in such a fast paced, livid and vast realm but I am positive the numbers are staggering.

It is a beautiful place and an incredible time to experience it but I find myself asking “is it worth it?” It is unfortunate that such a question must come up in considering a visit anywhere but it is reality and that is what we have to work with.