For most, this is the image they conjure when they think of Brazil.
A laid back, party-loving, football-obsessed country that will stage the biggest celebration on earth when the World Cup begins in June.
The reality however, is far removed from this picture-perfect postcard.
Some 600,000 foreign fans are about to descend on the vast South American nation, with questions still lingering about its ability to successfully organise, finance and deliver such a massive global event.
Only weeks remain and Brazil is still racing the clock to be ready for the tournament, with its build-up for the Rio 2016 Olympics in just as much disarray.
Even more concerning, this chaotic preparation is playing out against a backdrop of social unrest, corruption and crime.
Ready or not, the World Cup will kick off on June 12 with 64 matches to be played in 12 cities across the country.
Half of the 12 stadiums missed their end of year deadlines with FIFA threatening to drop some of them as official venues as the governing body’s president Sepp Blatter declared it “the most delayed World Cup since I have been at FIFA.”
Dr Sean Burges is a lecturer in international relations and a senior associate of the Australian National Centre for Latin American studies at The Australian National University.
An expert in the social and political climate of Brazil, he says there were always going to be problems but, having visited the country recently, he has no doubt it will deliver.
“This is not to say it won’t be a little messy around the edges, accommodation is going to be expensive, transportation is going to be slow,” he told AAP.
“But what you have to keep in mind is when you choose to put events like the Olympics or the World cup in developing nations, you’re not going to Switzerland.”
Most Brazilians would consider themselves passionate football fans but a significant number are angry about the huge amounts of money the government is spending on the World Cup at the cost of crucial public services.
Mass protests have been staged across the country since last year’s Confederations Cup, with the demonstrations likely to continue during the month-long World Cup.
Dr Burges feels having two major sporting events – the World Cup and Olympics – in such close succession will be seen as the perfect vehicle for the angry masses to shine a light on their concerns.
Brazil is one of the world’s rising economic powers, and over the past decade it has made major strides in its efforts to raise millions out of poverty.
This advancement, Dr Burges says, means more people are now in a position to hold the government to account.
“I’m sure there will be some large and vibrant protests but this won’t be directed at the people who have come to watch the games or the athletes, it’s directed at the president, it’s directed against FIFA and it’s a legitimate complaint,” he said.
“How can you spend $40 billion or so on the World Cup and the Olympics yet not have hospitals that work and decent public transport or primary schools that are properly staffed?
“You’ve had 35 million people or so come from dirt poverty up to the middle class in the last 10 years and part of what comes with that is people stop accepting the empty answers they’re getting and demand responsiveness.
“The World Cup and the Olympics are just going to serve as a perfect foil to make this happen.”
Making things more interesting is that 2014 is an election year for Brazil – the world’s largest democracy.
Late preparations for the World Cup have already embarrassed the country, while those for the Rio Games were slammed by International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates as “the worst” he’s seen.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has unsurprisingly suffered in the polls as a result.
But one thing that may ultimately save people’s reputations and political careers is if the host nation wins the World Cup, as they’re favoured to do, and in the ensuing wave of euphoria all is forgiven.
“President Dilma is falling like a stone in the polls and if Brazil doesn’t do well in the World Cup I think she’s in serious political trouble,” Dr Burges said.
Politics and social discontent aside, Dr Burges feels Brazilians’ innate passion for what they call joga bonito – the beautiful game – will take over.
“I think this World Cup will be an really interesting mix of a party and a really serious social, political discussion at the same time,” he said.
“But at the end of the day the country genuinely loves football and it’s genuinely delighted to have the world coming to play their game at their house.”
Magila Cutty
Guest
Before every world cup, well most, and Olympics there is fevered speculation about the venues, transport, accomadation etc not being ready. In the event though all have gone ahead and been successful usually getting praised for being the (insert adjective here) WC et al. Brazil will be no different and i confidently predict this will occur. Actually i think it'll be a great tournament with a surprise winner. ie not Brazil, Spain, Germany or Italy.
Reginald Bomber
Roar Guru
Because of delays and just like in South Africa, FIFA will take the world Cup staging off Brazil and give it to Australia. ANZ Stadium and the MCG will not be available for 8 weeks starting 10th June.
Bondy
Guest
Just off mild topic What should also be reflected on also with other Nations Brazil included obviously that we as Australians demonstrate injustices publicly with placards in a circle complaining verbally though peacefully and go home after a few hours. On the other hand Brazil and many other Nations for that matter use brutal force Molotov cocktails etc and storm Governmental Dept's or any other building that gets in their way with deaths occurring at these so called rallies of social injustices. We of the luck Country .
Nick Inatey
Guest
I don't disagree to be honest.
AR
Guest
I thought India might have something to say about that... And yes, whilst some of the infrastructure (like roads and rail) is a welcome upshot...there is billions spent on new stadia, media centres, exhibition centres etc...money that *should* be funnelled into health and education.
Nick Inatey
Guest
Where the hell did you get the stat that Brazil is the worlds largest democracy? By both geographical size and population, Brazil is not the worlds largest democracy. South America's I presume you meant? A sad reality is that emerging countries need to spend extraordinary amounts of money to host these events, much more than emerged nations. That's the price you pay for starting from scratch. But, what is forgotten is that lots of that money is spent on infrastructure that needed to be built with or without the games (subways, roads, sewerage!). The games provide that catalyst. if Beijing didn't get the Olympics, they probably would still be using a crap subway and even worse...terminal 1 at the airport! Probably should not give one country the two biggest events on the planet back to back though.
Bondy
Guest
An honest and accurate assessment by Dr Sean Burges in particular this quote "But what you have to keep in mind is when you choose to put events like the Olympics or the World cup in developing nations, you’re not going to Switzerland.” Hopefully the Football will be what the Nation and International media concentrates on during the month long event.
AR
Guest
In one of the stadiums Australia is playing at in Brazil, 8 people have died during construction (which remains unfinished). So far, over in Qatar, the body count is over 1000 and rising. I've got no doubt, that despite the mass protests over the (mis)use of public money, that the world will quickly forget the controversy once the Opening Ceremony is over and play starts on the pitches. I include myself in that to an extent. But the true cost of hosting a World Cup or Olympics is spiralling out of control. Every time there's a Qatar or Russia to absurdly rachet up the cost into the many billions...there's a South Africa and a Brazil going broke spending, trying to keep up, and let's be honest, wasting precious public money on shiny new stadiums - instead of hospitals, schools and better living standards. I'm sure we'll remember the World Cup as a fun, colourful, successful experience. But I'm not so sure that, in the decade to come, the people of Brazil will look back so fondly on it.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I'm not sure about whether Brazil will be ready, but having recently read the book about the Kangaroo gang of thieves in England, we can be sure that the pickpockets, con-men, rip-off artists and thieves will be well-represented amongst the 600,000 expected fans. The Kangaroo gang was hoping for a bonanza in stealing from fans, but England's victory worked against them, as English fans were off-limits. Although the gang itself was not involved, even the Cup itself was stolen, until found by Pickles the dog. It would add human (and canine) interest if the trophy were again targeted, provided it is returned safely again. I'm sure Brazil will do well, and could easily win, but I think if they were knocked out early, then the President will really know what an unhappy electorate is all about.