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Published: September 18th 2006
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Ipanema Beach
It was a bit overcast this day, but still pretty warm! So, after the initial nerves I have settled in really well. This is now my fifth and final (I think) day in Rio, and it has been a truly amazing, humbling and eye-opening experience.
I have done so much since I updated last Wednesday, so I may just give you the highlights!
On Thursday morning I began my exploring of Rio, with an American girl called Sarah, who I hit it off with straight away. She had already been here a few days, spoke Portuguese pretty well and let me tag along with her when she went to Ipanema beach. The coastline round here is just as you´d expect it to be - sandy, blue ocean with big ol´Atlantic waves, surrounded by the most glorious backdrop of islands and mountains to be seen way into the distance. It struck me as being strange that, in the UK, land and property prices on mountains and hills, particularly with sea views, are astronomically high; whereas in Rio this land is where the
favelas are, occupied by the poorest of the poor.
Actually being on the beach itself is nice but fairly stressful, as there is a constant bombardment of people
trying to sell you things.
On Thursday afternoon, Sarah and I decided we would take a trip up to the top of Santa Teresa, the district that our hostel is in. It is an old, bohemian arty district, full of interesting shops and cafes. So we waited outside the hostel for the bonde (tram), which didn´t appear.
Another method of transport in this district is by VW van, driven by locals who spend their days going up and down the hill, picking up and dropping people off as they go. We decided we would use one of these to get where we wanted to go . . .
Picture this. Two very obviously foreign girls get into a white VW camper that has stopped for them. The driver asks where they wish to go. They tell him not far, just to where the shops are. As they get to where they want to get out, the driver suggests that they stay onboard until he gets to the top of the hill, have a look at the marvellous view and then he will drive them back. They agree, as this sounds like a cool idea and he seems Footie baby!
Tim, Dave, Me, Chris and Sarah like a cool guy.
He then suggests that he take the two girls to a waterfall he knows of, which he thinks they just HAVE to see. On the way, he stops at a stand at the side of the road to buy a large bottle of beer and three cups - on they go. He tells the girls his name is Rameses, like the pyramids.
He pulls up the van, gets out and leads the girls through a wooded area until they begin to hear the sound of water. Lo and behold, there is his waterfall!
It is a pipe. Emanating from a block of concrete. With a small stream of water running out of it and falling onto more concrete below.
Nice.
Rameses then proceeds to strip down to his underwear, trying to encourage the girls to do the same and come under the water with him. It is very refreshing! he says. (They decline, in peals of laughter by this point). As he dries himself, they get an eyeful of something that they really wish they hadn´t.
He dresses, disappointed that the girls didn´t join him as planned, and a little embarrassed that they have now seen him in his pants.
As he drives them back to the hostel he drives past a woman trying to flag him down. The girls ask why he didn´t stop for her. She knows my wife, he says. Although he thinks that the fact she has seen him in his van with two young ladies might do his credibility a bit of good - my wife will think I am superstud! he ponders. The two girls silently think that this will not be the case.
As he drops them off at their hostel, he gives them his number, inviting them to a party the following evening. Something tells them that they may ´lose´the phone number fairly quickly.
On Thursday evening, after we had recovered from the afternoon´s events, we went to see Botofogo and Fluminese (two local teams) play a footie match at the Maracana stadium (only the biggest stadium in the world). Now, not being the most avid football fan in the world, you may wonder why I chose to do this but I can honestly say I had a great time (and a few beers). The atmosphere was amazing, despite a more prevalent than usual police presence, as apparently someone had been shot at the previous match at the stadium. The winners were Fluminense, who won on penalties. All in all, the whole evening (including transport there and back) cost us about a fiver. Ha ha!
Anyway, I have whole lot more to write about the last few days, but will do that in another instalment. I´m off out to the Botanical Gardens now.
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Katie
non-member comment
Heya!
Sounds like your having a great time! The beach looks gorgeous! I hate i hate you i hate you! there got that one out hehe love ya really :) I just have very green eyes. ps creepy water fall guy!