Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Rio de Janeiro

We arrived at the station in Rio at four am on a gloomy Thursday in September, still drowsy and not aware of can move from there for at least three hours, there remained nothing but parked on the floor and wait for first light of dawn to start lodging facilities. After endless hours we boarded a taxi to a hostel we had chosen a few days hacking on the Internet. In twenty minutes we reached Botafogo, the district was located where our future residence. Outside the hostel did not present any sign and was not quickly detected, but in the end, thanks to a buon'anima that passed in front there, we managed to find the entrance door and the doorbell. We were greeted by a warm and unusual "welcome" rivoltoci from a girl who seemed all except one Brazilian. The only beds available were in a dormitory for twenty-five people but given our physical condition do not feel like some to go looking for a new hostel, although we have accepted our offer and we fell in mattresses. In the afternoon, rested and recovered energy we direct towards Copacabana to visit the famous beach and look for another hostel. All in all what we offered the market is not very dissimilar from what we already had, so we decided not to change hostel. A dark and cloudy sky was unable to curb our enthusiasm at the sight of Copacabana and in particular its vast beach, a long strip of sand bar by the waves and ocean full of artists of the balloon. The day was now over and we resumed the subway back to the hostel to prepare dinner, the intention was to head back to Copacabana something to munch but especially to see the neighborhood at night, its renowned local and small bars along the beach . We are directed towards the waterfront and we started to walk a long pause between the markets in search of some souvenirs.

The next day the weather continued to turn their backs and the clouds persisted in staying above the bay, but it was not enough to discourage us, the objective of the day was to give us all the information you need to buy a "passeio por Rio" , one of those tours that allow you in one day to visit the major attractions of the city. This fact we were stopped on the beach by a nice gentleman that flier in hand we offered what we were looking for and in men who do not say we were seated at the table of his agency to discuss the details. The offer was very attractive: eight hours wander around Rio, the Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado, the Maracanà and Sambódromo between Flamengo and Botafogo and much, much more. Accordatoci on prices and times we have dismissed the following day at nine would start our tour to Rio.

The next morning we were greeted by the usual clouds that have made us doubt the possibility of postponing the tour to another day but called the agency, our guide assured us that the time would be improved and we farlocchi as we have believed. Got into the bus we met our traveling companions: two Colombians, a cheerful family equadoregna sudamericana and another couple of which we are able to identify their nationality. Right time to get on board and we were already on their way to the stadium Maracanà, the temple of football, unfortunately, visited Brazil in part because closed for renovation. After photos of ritual alongside fingerprint expert Seleçao we proceed directly to the Sambódromo, a majestic structure made of large steps that overlook a main road on which the period of carnival is raging madness Brazilian, some view it is an empty ' else but with a bit of imagination is not difficult to believe the images that each year offers us the TV on this site. From Sambódromo, via Botafogo and Flamengo, we then directed towards the economic center for exploring the vast underground cathedral has been recently build and questionable charm. We left the center accompanied by an insistent drizzle to head back to Copacabana where we lunched in a classic Churrascaria. Lunch was very good and plentiful especially if we consider that it was included in the price. A full belly we recovered in the van to reach one of the most striking features of Rio de Janeiro: the Pao de Açucar. For all those who do not know the Pao de Açucar is a mountain-shaped lot that overlooks the bay of Rio, and where you can climb on top by a funicular. After a few minutes our guide had brought us the ticket and after a few minutes of waiting we started the ascent to the mountain with an intermediate step on a small hill above the Pao de Açucar. Ripigliata the cable car in five minutes we were a destination: Rio from the top is a show that comes in and leaves you no more. Despite anything but sunny day, was an unforgettable experience, giving our backs could see the ocean to our left Copacabana and Ipanema, in front of us the beach of Botafogo and moving even further left on the seafront at Flamengo . Unfortunately, the time available to us was not much and in a moment was already time to get off the van and ripigliare this time to climb up to Cristo Redentor. The way we passed through, and we also stopped in the lush forest of Tijuca to a photo of the rite. It was time to get to the Cristo Redentor, which has proved longer than expected, through narrow streets that seemed swallowed by the forest and immersed in the clouds, with a gradient fade to make the best of cyclists. In the end, however, our van took us a destination: put your feet on land, we immediately noticed how the temperature was lowered abruptly and turns the strong wind we close our arms around the body in an attempt to warm. Three flights of stairs and a lift there dall'immensa separated by a marble located right in the very top of the Corcovado mountain to protect the city. Finally we were on top again without words, not so much for the statue, which is certainly immense, but the glance that we could enjoy from there on top. Perhaps even more spectacular view we enjoyed from the Pao de Açucar from here because the bay was visible in its entirety and immensity: we were admiring one of the most beautiful cities encountered on our journey ... without words! Even in this place we could not dwell long time accomplice, cold but above all the shadows that were falling in the city. Our tour was finished and recovered in the van we were right back in front of our house, where everything started.
In the evening the hostel had arranged an outing for the collective a little fun at the Brazilian and we have taken the opportunity to fly, washed and perfumed we gathered with our flatmates at the bar and chatting after four taxi to arrive here: the evening took off. Under the constant eye of Tracy, one of many people working all'ostello, we reached the neighborhood of Lapa, where deafening music and a flood of people filled the road: exciting! It is not easy to describe the atmosphere that is breathed, we moved to the main road trying to make us among the crowd you wiggle to the rhythm of samba and caipirinha and then get the other side of the road where, under a bridge, a group armed with improvised drums, lids of pots, birinbao and everything else could produce a sound was playing the samba. Everyone seemed in the grip of a collective and trans continued to dance without stopping in the middle of the road between the stalls offering all sorts of cocktails, a show was an unprecedented collective delirium aimed at fun and we set aside any thoughts on the dangers of place, we entered it. After walking to the right and missing the streets overflowing with people, we decided to go into any of the hotels leaving only the first light of dawn.

The next morning we were woken up in the company of an unusual sun and we have not made the opportunity to escape to go and spend the day at the beach, but not in a beach anywhere, we were in Copacabana. Put your feet in the sand, we immediately realized that the beach was crowded with people and would not have been easy to find a space to support our towels. We bask in the sun for a couple of hours and then taken by hungry we went to a "lanchonette", a kind of kiosk, to grant us a snack. A partially full stomachs we returned to the base where the television was sending a lot of Seleçao, everyone was glued to television despite Brazil led to 4 to 0: loyal! To celebrate the World Cup qualification for the hostel owners were well thought of organizing a festival of course all invited guests, including us. We have decided to desert the party and go along with other flatmates to eat something together. With us there was Alex, a boy of San Francisco who told us something shocking: even the night before he went to celebrate in Lapa, in the same streets crowded with people even when we were surrounded and had been witness of a shooting in which he had been killed one person. In the same way in which we were walking a little earlier, had sparked an inferno: fortunately we were already inside in a room. Alex said that the thing that most upset him was not so much the vision of a dead person, as the indifference of the people who continued to provide relief to get his affairs. Alex has also turned himself in to police to seek the intervention but the only answer I had was also in this case, indifference. We decided to write this episode so that all readers who wish to travel to Brazil are aware of facts that may happen at any time: it is not said that should happen, but when it matters unless you can all happen: be careful!
A bit shocked dall'aneddoto in a small way, we concluded the evening and after a chat we returned to hostel and straight to bed.

The next day was the last that we would have spent in the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro and we decided to spend it walking through the center. Accompanied by the usual clouds we have gone to a desert city center through some streets and focusing admiring some churches (of little importance), to reach the municipal theater. The trip did not last long but all on foot, which has proved deeply and led us to the decision to rincasare soon enough for a shower and a bit of healthy sleep. The next morning we made backpacks, paid the debt and got into a taxi to get to the bus station: our goal was Buzios a typical seaside village, famous resort frequented by celebrities and by the Brazilians.