Leaving the Sambodromo at 6:30 a.m. was a bit chaotic as 20,000 people looked for a way home (or a place to continue the party). There certainly was a strong police presence.

I waited in a gigantic taxi cue and found out the "official" taxi company was charging outrageous rates. So I ended up in a less expensive yellow taxi only to have the driver take me on an unrequested sightseeing tour of Rio to run up the meter. Fortunately the doorman at my hotel confirmed the driver was trying to rip me off and I only paid the driver what it should have cost.

Just because I was wearing credentials to get into the Sambodromo doesn't mean I had a "cheat me I'm a tourist" sign on.