Rio - The concrete jungle

                                                                                        

Rio - The concrete jungle

Rio was a completely different place! Our first impressions were the humid weather in Brazil after a month of cold weather in the northern hemisphere. The roads were wet from a recent downpour and it was dark. The taxi driver was crazy. I lost count of how many red lights he drove through. He drove fast, changed lanes erratically and braked suddenly.

The daylight revealed lots of homeless men sleeping on the pavements. Most people we communicated with did not understand English so Katie's skills were greatly appreciated. We found some good shops and bought some clothes. They cost the same as the cost of washing them! The exchange rate was so good. Everything was half price, and even cheaper when there was a sale. I could have shopped heaps except my suitcase was full.

On our first day we decided to take the subway to visit Copacabana Beach. With Katie's help we bought train tickets. We felt safe enough because there were police and security guards everywhere.

The next day was hot so we went to Ipanema Beach. It was so beautiful with green islands out to sea and rocky headlands at each end of the beach. We swam, snoozed on the beach and watched the people and the hawkers. They carried heavy loads and offered lots of different things for sale; bikinis, sarongs, ice-creams, water, hats, even fairy floss! Imagine 50 bags of it tied to a big stick.

We took a tour to visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf. The queues were so long because it was a Sunday and the Brazilians were having a family day. Both places we visited had magnificent views. Rio looked stunning with white high-rise buildings nestled amongst green hills, huge boulders that looked like mountains, the blue sea and white sandy beaches dotted with palm trees. The favelas were easy to pick as these areas were covered in little flat roofed boxes stacked up the steep sided hills. Those favelas that had been 'Passified' were beginning to let tourists visit with a guide. Passified means police presence and residents paying for electricity that had previously been free. 

The highlight of our trip to Rio was a visit from Jacqui our host daughter. She stayed two nights in Jess and Katie's room and it was so good to see her again. The three girls have a lot of fun together.

In the morning, Katie took a taxi to the airport. She spent a week in Sao Joaquim da Barra with the friends and host families that were a part of her life in 2010. She was excited to be returning to her other 'home'.

Jacqui searched for the location of a job interview she had booked. They had given her the wrong address so she was a bit late. It didn't matter. She was successful and given a second meeting for the next day. The job is for selling sunglasses while she is at uni. We waited for her at Copacabana Beach and this time we hired an umbrella. It was lovely to laze about in the sun and soak up the atmosphere at the beach. There is so much going on. We watched people playing beach volleyball and balancing acts on a strap tied to two palm trees. 

Jacqui took us to the beautiful botanic gardens where we saw toucans and orchids. We finished the day with a shopping exhibition. I lost count of how many floors of shops there were. It was fun for Jess and I. Alan survived it. He is used to girls’ shopping.

Hot feet!

In Rio, I was enjoying a cup of Acai - a fruit paste made from palm berries. It has the consistency of a smoothie and mine was mixed with banana and granola. I really like it! I was spotted by a tall, skinny girl who crossed the road, spoke Portuguese, put her fingers to her lips and then made a grab for my Acai. No way! I glared at her. She then preyed on another tourist and took their bottle of lemonade. She returned when Alan sat down with his Acai. This time she got her little sister to beg. A man from the shop realised what was happening and he shooed them away. Acai is really a very special food in Brazil!