Rundown: Spent the Dieciocho week in Rio soaking up sun, sand, and cachaça!
Rented an apartment with friends in Copacabana, a few blocks from the beach for our Dieciocho break in Chile! Patriotically left the country.
Samba-ed our way around the marvelous city. We are unaccustomed to not speaking the language. Portuguese sounds a little like Spanish, but isn't commutative. They may as well have been speaking Greek.
Walked to Pão do Açucar, bulding out of the peninsula and took a cable car to the top.
Spent a few hours with the other gawkers watching the sun set and the lights of the city fire up.
Obligatorily went to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. More sweeping views and hordes of people, but amazing, friendly atmosphere.
Getting ready to go out we made dinner and caipirinhas, which of course led to lime juggling.
Getting our Brazilian on. I counted all the little hearts on this bag. There were a brazilion of them.
Had a few great beach days (and evenings) on the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
Got a little surfing and the like in.
I love Rio. People wear bathing suits they have no business being in, and rock the heck out of it. Good for them! I unabashedly busted out the tiny swim shorts. Fire up chips.
After our friends headed home, Miranda and I moved to a chic hotel in Lapa, the hilly, artsy San-Fran area of town.
The city is very dynamic and vibrant. You wouldn't guess it by the subdued locals, hey?
We walked the town and soaked up the local flavor.
Great things to see around town, and though it didn't feel dangerous, you were never far from a favela. Just watch where you wander.
Lots of great food to be had, interesting things to see. Great people and great caipirinhas!
