Oi South America!

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When suffering a lack of energy after Europe, Rio is certainly one place to get a fresh dose! The place is for me a collision of Manila and Surfer's Paradise. An unhealthily large and economically imbalanced population, a pretty good beach, faded resort atmosphere, decaying suburbs, but with those famous beautiful granite peaks that make you pinch yourself as you bodysurf a wave to the Ipanema shoreline.

Like most travellers, I had a fair bit of trepidation about venturing far from the gated and guarded hostal quarters, but managed the usual activities - of course the beach, the sugarloaf cablecar, a strangle mugging, a football match, food poisoning. Joking about the mugging. Though thinking of it did prevent me heading out too often with the camera, so sorry not many photos.

Not sure as usual where exactly to try for lunch I sat down on Sunday at a corner juice shop and ordered a sandwich and mango juice (without thinking to say hold the ice). Anyway the place looked fine and the guy working there was in a little t-shirt uniform so I figured all would be kosher. He gave the order to cook behind the partition and went about his work. I did notice a wry glance at me but didn't think anything of it.

However, In the evening (and next day) I had a really awkward date with Gastroenteritis, when it occured to me that cook's orders were probably along the lines of 'hey Ronaldo, this gringo says he wants our finest toilet water and a shit sandwich with e-coli spread. See what you can do.' The rest of Rio would have to wait; I just slept and recovered for almost 3 days.

I did however finish my Rio stay at THE 'girl from Ipanema' cafe (where Joabim wrote the song) for a great recovery meal with some lovely fellow hostellers. Although a long-time favourite of mine, it was here that I was relieved to finally exorcise the damn song from my head. The Copacabana did unfortunately stay with me as far as Lima...

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