The weekend started off with a 4am alarm on Friday. We had a VERY early flight that got us in to Rio at 7:30am. Despite being a "preferred guest," we were unable to check into our hotel early, so we crashed by the pool. This was the only time the weather was bad. Kirin slept on the beach chair using a towel as a blanket (she also had jeans and a sweatshirt on)! I just enjoyed the 10-foot waves crashing just outside the pool. Somehow during this cloudy stretch, I managed to sunburn my right bicep and shoulder. Don't ask.
Around noon, the clouds finally broke and we were in business. The whole group of us (10 ended up going) went to Sugar Loaf mountain, right on the cost. It's named Sugar Loaf because of its resemblance to the "loafs" of sugar that were shipped from Rio to Europe in colonial days. You take a cable car up to one mountain, and a second to Sugar Loaf. There were mountain climbers on both, dangling thousands of feet up. The view from Sugar Loaf was amazing, especially as the sun was setting over Rio. The city looks like someone poured it over the mountains that pop up throughout the city. (Pics below L-R: Sugar Loaf Mountain, facing East; Copacabana beach at far left, from Sugar Loaf; Sunset over Rio)
Friday night we went out to dinner in the Ipanema neighborhood, to a Brazilian fusion restaurant. We sat on pillows on the floor in their upstairs lounger, which we dubbed "the makeout lounge" as we were the only ones in there not making out big time. I tried my first "capirinha," Brazil's national drink, which tastes a lot like a margarita, but stronger, and with cahaca and more sugar than you can believe. Dinner was outstanding. I got tenderloin cubes which came on a skewer, leaned against a big serving of almond-mushroom risotto. It was easily a Top 10 dinner. The waiter, a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, recommended a nearby bar for us to go to. When we arrived, they were playing great 80's rock songs. At one point, one of the girls in our group requested Justin Timberlake. Based on the music they had been playing, we thought he'd laugh at her. Not only did he have it, but he changed his whole playlist. All of a sudden is was Justin Timberlake, Black Eyed Peas, Jump Around....fun stuff. We got the whole bar dancing and singing - no one spoke English, but they all knew the words to the songs! At 3am, we decided we needed to go home to prep for our big day on Saturday.
At 9:00 Saturday morning, we were in a cab headed to another mountain - but this time we were going to jump off! We got to the top and - oh my God that's high! The 30 -story buildings below look like legos!!! We got a quick lesson and then jumped in line. There were a handful of hang-gliding schools throwing people of the ledge, but it moved quickly. All of a sudden it was my turn to run-run-run-run-run and jump. I can't begin to describe the feeling. It was insane. I got to sit back while my pilot guided us around - he was watching the vultures circling below to figure out where the thermals were. We caught one and were all of a sudden a couple hundred feet above where we took off! The whole experience was absolutely amazing! 15 minutes later, we landed on the beach which was already packed. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity! (Pics below L-R: View down the launch ramp; Sierra, Kevin, Kirin and Kelly; the mountain on the right is our takeoff point)
One really cool thing about Rio is the level of activity. At any of the beaches, there were hundreds of people playing soccer (of course), volleyball, surfing, site surfing, hang-gliding, running, biking....anything you can think of. We chose to fall asleep by the pool. Saturday afternoon we headed out to Copacabana Beach to wander. The beaches were packed, and the famous tiled walkways were covered with vendors selling anything from churros to capirinhas in coconuts, to counterfeit purposes, jerseys, etc.....and they all happen to know just enough English to try and pull you in. I grabbed a small oil painting of the hillside with two people doing capoeira (Brazilian martial arts). (Pic below is the North end of Copacabana beach)
Finally, last night we headed to a churascaria, which is a Brazilian steakhouse where waiters keep bringing different types of meat until you say "stop". Funny thing, though, was that I probably had more of their awesome sushi than I had meat. The place was just crazy, with big groups of people, and waiters running around EVERYWHERE, with spears full of meat, and huge knives ready to slice the meat for you. The waiters would clear your buffet plates in seconds, stacking 50 plates on one tray to take to the back. Unfortunately, we all ate so much food that we were in a food coma when we went out and only lasted through 1 beer!
Today its back to Sao Paulo and real life...we actually have a couple assignments due tomorrow for class. Its pretty cold here in Sao Paulo, especially after 90 and sunny all weekend in Rio. Housekeeping actually put multiple blankets on my bed - it must be VERY cold to them.
So now its time to go do some homework. I hope everyone is doing well. Take care!
P.S....Ben - I didn't get close enough to Corcovada to high-five Jesus, so this will have to do:
1 comment:
That's not symbolic in the same way as a high five!
P.S. Bring back coffee!
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