The Journey Begins......

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After a 12 hour flight from Heathrow sitting next to the smelliest guy on the plane, Gurth and I eventually arrived in Rio heading for the Copacabana Mellow Yellow Hostel where we had planned to meet our friends Matt, Wash and Sam. We arrived about 8:30am and woke up the boys, the confused look on Washy's face said it all.

Once the boys were up we headed straight down to the Copacabana beach, 4.5km stretch of sand and sea. It wasn't long before the Popcorn Filled Chimney Sweeps AFC 5-a-side team were in action playing against 4 other lads from our hostel and a brazilian guy who thought he was ronaldinho. After taking the piss a couple of times it was only fair we started putting him in his place and put few reducers on him.

The following night our hostel arranged for us to go to a club in a favela which is probably the worst place you'd want to be as a 'gringo'! However we were told we would be looked after by an off duty policeman and wouldn't get mugged or killed! It was a very surreal night especially when we saw Adriano the Brazilian striker drinking in the same VIP area we were drinking. After a few more beers we risked going downstairs to mix with the locals (mainly consisting of sweaty guys with their tops off) from the favela and dance to their brazilian funk.

The next day we went on a tour to Rochina favela and what an eye opener it was. Our guide was quality and assured us that he had an understanding with the locals and we could walk around unharmed. We got moped rides to the top of the favela and walked back down the small alleys to the bottom. The guide told us about the drug lords that rule the favelas but said we were unlikely to come across any of them or see any guns. After the relief of surviving the moped ride up the favela i was instantly shitting myself when i saw a guy with 3 guns strapped to his chest selling drugs to locals. Further down the favela another drug lord with a pump action shot gun acknowledged me with a thumbs up to which i just smiled and strolled on by without looking back.

The night life in Rio is quality and we have been out every night with everyone from the hostel since we arrived and partying back in the dorms to the very early hours of the morning.

As soon as i get a chance i'll add some photos.

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Photos

Rochina Favela
Looking down at Rochina Favela

Rochina Favela 2
More Favela photos

Favela Graffiti
Luiz in action telling us about the drug lords

Gareth with boy
Doing it for the kids

Rochina favela 3
From the bottom of the favela

Gareth singing
Gurth sings to Washy

Drinking games
Drinking games in the Samba dorm

She's Electric
Sing-a-long in the dorm

Samba dorm
Samba dorm visit Christ the Redeemer

Comments

[Massive Fan]

Shouldn't you be in pre-season training
Mr Kewell, I think you should be back at the Kop by now. One weeks wages docked atleast I'm afraid. Back in England we're all having a right laugh, so much better than being in Rio. It's just banter. I spend all day digging shit for my dad then watch Noel Edmonds on the TV so... Seriously tho, hope you're still loving South Africa, all is vert well here. xx

[Matty H]

Honoury Sweeps Member
Alright lads. The photo's and the commentry are wicked. Glad your having a good time doing a bit with the brazilian massive. Nice to see gurth broke his restraining order, was the young lad ok after the photo was taken? Its all a bit of bant as they say. Would have loved to of mixed it up with PFCS on the beaches of Rio but i too am shovelling shit and watching noel edmunds. Hope to see you all for a drink at graduation. Take care lads. Matty