RIO CARNIVAL

South America » Brazil » Rio de Janeiro
February 28th 2005

Published: December 21st 2006

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Viajerong Pinoy

RIO

CHRISTO REDENTOR

Arriving in Rio early morning, I made my way to the hostel, taking the shuttle bus, checked in quickly, Getting in to our dorm style room, 6 beds , was the 1st one to get here so got to chose the biggest and closest to the telly, yay! It is here in Rio where my Encounter overland trip begins, i think all the Dragoman and Encounter trucks meet up in Rio for the carnival then move on to follow their own itineraries all over SA. A Dutch guy arrived moments later, he is also starting his journey here, then comes the Irish and Canadian guys both getting off from the truck finishing here in Rio, Donagh, the Irish guy did the reverse of my trip and so he gave me some insights on what to expect. Later that afternoon an English kid named Oliver arrived and introduced himself to me, turns out we will be on the same leg (Rio to Caracas) after Rio. He introduced me quickly to some of his friends including Joel, they're all teenagers, I feel so out of place, Joel is one of those who will be in our group. Then one by one I met

RIO

all the people in our group that i will try to get along with for the next 10 weeks. For the next 3 days we partied, watched a football match, went sight seeing,harbor cruising, visited the Favela(Rio slum), oh yeah enjoyed the carnival, hang out with Olie's friends, though younger generation, are very cool and fun except when they get drunk, Olie, i still remember those antics you pulled in the middle of the night one time in our room, bringing all those girls......I paid it back by accidentally locking you in the room during the trip orientation, poor thing had to get out from the balcony window! One thing i remember is the street party i went to with my roommies, me and David, the last of my roomie to arrive(whose mother keeps on calling from the UK) tagged along with the Dutch guy and we went to this district where they have a street parade, it was loud and fun, we followed this truck/float with blaring music being played over and over again, people dancing, getting drunk and at one point a fight ensued and so then we decided we have seen enough and went back to the

RIO

SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN

hostel. Anyway, after the carnival we were on our way north slowly and steadily until we get to Caracas. First stop is Petropolis. we camped at a secluded compound, we had to get a taxi to get to town, a little mishap, the taxi was in a hurry to get us out town he backed up on a car, we were fine but the owner of the campground was pissed, good thing we can't understand Portuguese, whatever he was saying must be full of expletives. I have to share the tent with Brian, i at first don't really know how i can get along with him, he seems very controlling, he likes things to be done his way, the tent set up, who gets to put it away, and at what time..little did i know he will be one of my best buddies after the trip. On the road towards our next destination we passed over another overland truck, Exodus, and the overland veterans, led by Vicky and Graham threw eggs at them, they claim they do these antics every time they meet up with another truck and this was not the first time they met them of course so