(Joseph Capp is a long time Pacific Beach resident who has lived part-time in Rio de Janeiro for the last five years. He will be sharing news and updates from Rio with sdnews.com readers through the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Have a question? Write him at [email protected]. He will be happy to reply.) Brazilians love to party, and when Réveillon (New Year’s eve) arrives, the annual tradition for the people of Rio de Janeiro is to come out to the party dressed in white; the color represents peace and happiness. The people come from all over the city and its environs, starting early and making their way to the beach for the long day (and night) of celebrations. For many, the trip takes two or three hours. The temperature will hit 100 degrees, so all know in advance to come prepared with plenty to drink. Many also bring long-stemmed white flowers, an annual ritual, wherein they place them in the ocean, to appease Iemanjá, the “Goddess of the Sea” and the “Mother of Waters.” The tradition is their way of saying thanks for the previous year with the hopes of a better tomorrow. Another tradition the Brazilians follow involves wading into the ocean while skipping seven waves in a row. Good luck will come as they ask for one wish with each jump. Estimates show that this year, between 2.5 and 3 million people packed the 2.2-mile shorefront of Copacabana Beach to party. Along with partying on the beach, Brazilians and tourist alike were able to witness Réveillon, one of the world’s largest annual New Year’s eve events, the midnight fireworks show. This year, as in years past, it did not disappoint. There were 11 barges moored 150 yards offshore, lined up from Leme on one end to Ft. Copacabana on the other. At the stroke of midnight, the synchronized fireworks show commenced and ran for almost 20 minutes. More than two miles of fireworks! It was, as it always is, the best party day of the year. If you have a bucket list, put Réveillon in Copacabana at or near the top. Temporary waiver on visas Along with the arrival of the new year, Brazil announced a temporary waiver on visa requirements for tourists to travel to Brazil for the 2016 Summer Olympics. From June 1 through Sept. 18, tourists from the U.S., Australia, Canada and Japan will be able to enter Brazil for up to 90 days without a visa. If you did not get a chance to read my article last month, “Rio report: Strong dollar makes Rio affordable for an amazing adventure,” view it again at bit.ly/1kQKfL1 I posted how $1 got you 3.82 reals. recently, the dollar hit 4.06. Next up, Rio has begun opening new museums just in time for this summer’s High Season (February through March) along with a few more scheduled to open in the coming months just in time for the Olympics. Stay tuned for this and more. Rio 2016 is here…