The nightmare getting here.. but I am having fun... honest!

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First proper of many:

30th November (am)
Nightmare start - bloody snow, up and out the house by 5:30am to drive to Sheffield Train Station! Snow was too bad to go by road - but the train was running fine. I'm so excited to leave but feel like I could sleep for a week, very emotional goodbyes to lots of people. Amy and I are setting off for the big adventure picking up Tasha at Heathrow - still doesn't quite feel real yet.

Current listening - Bon Iver, re: Stacks

30th Nov (pm)
Continuation of nightmare journey but, relieved to have made it on to the Rio flight. Got to Manchester fine on the train but then we got on the flight and... sat there - for 45 minutes - bloody Heathrow and airspace - a cheese and ham panini later and we were pretty sure we'd miss our connection... and Tasha - major panic ensued but we made it to the connection desk, up the escalators to Tasha or across to more information... we made upstairs!

Amy and I sprinted across terminal 5 - brief respite sat on a mini train & then up the escalators - Fat camp 897 truly begins. Fat Camp 897 truly begins. Found Cowdrey successfully and our Rio flight was delayed, so successfully purchased a couple of books from Smiths and got in the queue. Classic airport drama - very drunk Brazilian man trying to chat up all of us, especially Tasha, with her actress voice. Apparently perfection would be Paris by night, Rio climate and London people. Good to know. We followed him all the way in and prayed he wasn~t near us... prayer granted. Now sat, comfy and ready for action. Bring on Rio!

No current listening - apart from random classical music courtesy of BA!

Night time 30/11 - 01/12
So the nightmare contines... got to the baggage reclaim to discover Brian/Jacques le backpack was nowhere to be seen... bugger. A few tears and helpful BA staff and I am sent on my way with a 35 pound coupon and a promise of a phonecall to pick up my bag in the next few days. I really wish at least one thing hadn~t gone wrong today - but now I am just beyong tired and just need sleep - everything~s better with sleep and a shower. Hostel random as, Charlie the dog and a very strange room set up - but we~re here, which is a bonus in reality I have no concept of where we are in relation to anything in Rio - but let the adventure commence.

01/12
Everything seems a bit brighter today, my bags coming tomorrow assuming that snow doesn't prevent the plane getting out of London, the girls and I embarked on a very chilled out day today, went to the bank then poddled in a bid to reach the beach... failed... BUT we did see the Christ Redeemer, up on high, surrounded by clouds, felt like a remarkably spiritual moment seeing him - it looks reasonable small all the way up there. Rio is huge - both in area and height - there are no houses here, just high rises. Amazing. We're planning a chilled evening discussing our Salvador trip, which we should undertake on Saturday... not that we have anything booked!

Things I have learnt so far about Brazil -
- Drivers don't stop at red lights
- There really is a melting pot feeling - noone looks out of place here.
- Lots of security carrying lots of guns,... but people are really friendly
- Women don't really wear bras
- There are lots of flowery dresses.

Also - can't get my head around $R yet - maybe I will learn the exchange rate pre-departure from Brazil.

Current listening - Summertime 😊

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Comments

[Rosie and Laura]

Things can only get better!
Glad things are looking up!!and look on the bright side, free 35 quid to spend on clothes!!missing u guys lots and u shud be proud of Ross, we couldn't of made the igloo without him!!lots of love, Rosie, Laura and rhod x