Hugh Miles, a British freelance journalist, meets Roda at a party and is smitten by her Nefertiti grace.

ECONOMIST: Egyptian life

In Copacabana Bip Bip attracts a festive gathering to its roda de samba sessions (informal samba played around a table).

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Of course, the technology sector remains exposed to sharp economic downturns, says David Roda, an investment strategist at Wells Fargo Private Bank.

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One of the defining characteristics of the Samba of Roda is the gathering of participants in a circle, referred to as roda.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Breda claimed fourth on goal difference behind Utrecht after winning 2-1 at Groningen in the late-afternoon game, while Roda Kerkrade joined PSV on five points by beating NEC Nijmegen 1-0 at home.

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The Samba de Roda is also distinguished by specific dance steps like the miudinho, the use of the viola machete - a small lute with plucked strings from Portugal, as well as scraped instruments, and responsorial songs.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Hugh himself, if he is to marry his Roda, will have to convert to Islam, a process that is daunting for an Egyptian Copt but which, for a foreign Christian, turns out to be as easy as buying a bus ticket.

ECONOMIST: Egyptian life

At first a major component of regional popular culture among Brazilians of African descent, the Samba de Roda was eventually taken by migrants to Rio de Janeiro, where it influenced the evolution of the urban samba that became a symbol of Brazilian national identity in the twentieth century.

UNESCO: Culture