The Girls from Ipanema

First stop: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (March 17-20, 2011). We arrived in Rio de Janeiro safe and sound and with our luggage! So far, it's been great, despite the language barrier. The bus ride from the airport took over 2 hours...let´s say the traffic in Rio can be a bit hectic.

The Girls from Ipanema

Saw: We spent a lot of time on the beautiful beach in Ipanema. We spent a Saturday lazing on the beach and it was so busy, people were packed like sardines in a tin. The vendors that walk amongst the sunbathers are relentless and peddle anything and everything from bathing suits to drinks to jewelry and shrimp on sticks. The each try to use distinctive chants and tones to try to stand out amongst the other vendors, so it definitely does not make for a tranquil beach experience. Absolutely amazing though. 

I also met Him. The one......the only.....J.C. The trek to get to Christ the Redeemer was a whole day adventure in itself, half hour bus to the base, van cab up to the ticket booth, an hour wait for tickets, an other hour or two wait to get the van cabs to take you to the top and then repeat for the way down (except for the ticket wait). We made the most of it though and had a blast playing trivia and "Would you rather....?" questions.

Our time in Rio was short, but we did manage to sample the nightlife...every night. Our first night out was in Ipanema were we sampled some Brazilian beer in honour of St. Patricks Day. The following night we went out in the Lapa district for a street party. You literally buy a beer and party on the street.

Stayed: The Mango Tree Hostel in Ipanema. It's a block from the beach and is super chilled out, free breakfast, free Internet, and free purified water. A definate winner.

Met: Immediately fell into a great group of people at the hostel, who coincidentally, all happen to be around the same age. We hope to meet up with the Kiwis at the end of our trip in Bolivia.

Ate: Not much to report on this front yet...but this Brazilian hot dog was pretty good. And the bread here is delicious.The breakfast at the hostel in Rio was awesome. I found the Brazilian cuisine to be expensive and unimpressive but I can´t fault their breakfasts.

Quotes: 

"My name is Caeser...like the salad.¨ - Portugese guy introducing himself on the city bus. I don't know about you, but had my name been Caesar, I would probably have chosen to equate myself to..oh, I don't know....the Emperor of Rome.

"Jesus didn´t die...he just lay very still...." - Scott´s impression of what a ressurection means.