Crushed Limes and Sugar

The first entry in my "Lighting Trip" series...more to come. The format will typically be brief, just like the trip itself which likely won't span more than 48 hours on the ground in a given destination.

Rio Lightning:

10 hour flight courtesy of United Airlines direct from Dulles. The flight leaves late on Friday and doesn't return until Sunday late night...allowing 36 hours on the ground.

Copacabana and Ipanema are THE places to see and be seen in the city, the beaches and people are strikingly beautiful and welcoming.

Best local drink, caipirinhas. (crushed lime slices, sugar and a local liquor...quite a combo)

Best followup for the resulting hangover, coconut water.

Stayed in an amazing hostel "El Misti-Copacabana", check it out. Met some great single-serving friends.

Great set of bars and clubs....very Euro feel without the pinch on the wallet.

Went clubbing til 5am Sat night and I was one of the first to leave the club where pulsing techno beats, lasers and go go dancers were in great profusion....these people think nothing of returning to their apartments at 8 or 9 in the morning.

Sunday all day beach day as it is summer down that way. Beach culture is the only culture down there. People gather with friends and spend all day drinking, snacking, swimming, playing volleyball and people watching; we could learn something from them.

Returning on a red-eye flight isn't so bad when 1st class is your mode of travel. Lots of sleep necessary as when I returned to DC at 5:30 Monday morning it was straight into the office for me!

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