Rio

Rio....football, samba, beaches, crime, pollution, beauty, traffic jams, poverty, wealth: it's Buenos Aires on crack, New York in a bikini, Vancouver on speed, Istanbul on illi. All superlatives apply.

I went to a football game in the world's largest stadium, able to hold 200 000 people, to watch Botafogo and Flamengo battle it out to a draw.

I hung out on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches where bikinis and silicone rule, where buff guys swagger and pose.

I went to pre-Carnaval beach parties where everyone wandered along the street drinking beer as girls and boys kissed passionately, their faces grafted together.

I wanted to go to a samba school to watch Carnaval preparations but didn't make it.

I wanted to do a lot of things but didn't have the time.

I want to come back.

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