Well, I have done absolutely loads since my last journal, so this might be a long one! The match at the Maracana was really good, even if we (Botafogo) did lose 3-2! On the way there on the metro we were being taught some songs by one of their fans who spoke a bit of English. So in true Jonny fashion I adopted the English hooligan approach and was soon leading the singing myself, banging on the roof of the metro! It was a really enjoyable afternoon though and its another stadium off my hit list! We met loads more really nice people, including one girl who lives in Chadderton - I travel 6000 miles accross the pond just to meet someone who lives 5 minutes away from me back home! Then Saturday night we went to a street party in Lapa and the place was absolutely buzzing! Thousands of people all drinking, eating and of course samba-ing in the street. I even got lucky with a local 19 year old Brazilian girl and a wasnt even trying! What can I say? Even half way round the world people still cant resist Jonny! Ha! It almost turned into a really eventful night in an unwanted way though way I literally came within centimetres of being pickpocketed and losing my camera. Fortunatley one of the girls we were with spotted him and so i managed to move away. The swine kept loitering around for half an hour even though by this time there was no way he was gettin anywhere near my camera! Sunday morning was well good - and I probably dont need to mention why! Although at 5 to 12 (my time) we were still wandering the streets desperately trying to find a pub showing the United match, and with Karl cursing me for dragging him out of bed early, as luck wold have it we randomly came accross a small irish bar that was showing it. Inside, surprise surprise, I was the only United fan. Well, I was in my element - just how I like it! With the early afternoon beers soon taking effect, my cheers got louder and louder with each goal and I easily drowned out everyone of the ABU brigade! Then it was back to the beach to catch some sleep and bask in the blistering heat, before we had an early night in preparation for the Carnaval the following day. I cant quite think what we did on Monday day - probably just got burnt on the beach again, but Monday night was just brilliant - CARNAVAL!!! First we met two really nice Swedish girls who are studying in Buenos Aires so we are hopefully gonna meet up with them when we get there. So we went with the to the Sambadrome (what a name!) - the purpose built stadium for the Carnaval (PS I knom I am spelling that wrong - but thats how they spell it here!) and got there about 10pm and stayed till 5am!! By the end we had done so much drinking and so much shakin of the hips we were absolutely knackered, but we just managed to catch the sunrise come up over Botafogo bay before we crashed in our bed just after 6am!! The parade itself was a bit samey samey after a while, but the atmosphere was just really nice. Basically 7 schools each have 1hr 20mins to do their parade, but we just stayed for 4 of them. Unsurprisingly Tuesday started off very slowly although in our wisdom we were booked on a tour of a favela - which to those of you not of a geographical disposition is basically a huge shanty town. The tour took us to the largest one in the world - called Rocinha where over 300,000 people live! To say I was feeling a little worse for wear would be a massive understatement but I finally came round - and just in time. What we didnt realise till we got there was that to get to the top you go on the back of a motorbike. What an adrenaline rush! It was my first time on a bike and it was flippin awesome - even though i did nearly die a couple of times by oncoming busses! The favela itself is a quite unique place, and somewhat different to what i expected. Its good that half the money we paid for the trip goes into the community and is helping build a daycare centre. Despite living in the poverty they do, everyone always seemed to have a smile on their face and it was a humbling experience. Our guide was quick to tell us not to take pictures of anyone with a blue walky talky as that signified a member of the drug gang that basically control the favela! Then last night it was back out to another street party where anothe local lass took a likening to me! I found it highly amusing since the only Portuguese word i know is thank you and the only two english words she knew were kiss and cold - but i got the message! This morning we did some sight seeing and then fulfilled a dream of mine - play beach football in Rio!!! Me and anothe rlad from the hostel basically organised everyone to meet on the beach and we all met up for a 5-a-side. It is such hard work but really enjoyable. In the heat we soon got tired but then 4 Brazilian blokes came over and asked us if we wanted a match against them. I couldnt get started quick enough!! So now we had a real authentic match goin on! The outcome of the match is a subject of debate, the reason of which will not surprise most people! They will say they won 4-3 but we say we drew 4-4. Thing is, to be fair, they were all so good and you can see why Brazil are the best in the world - they made it look so easy and it really isnt on sand. But they kinda started taking being a touch flamboyant with all their flicks so we thought right - lets play the English way and get physical! I kinda led this movement and i thought made a fair tackle on one guy - but he went down far too easily clutching his shin and hobbled off! Ooops! I said sorry! But while they were down to 3 men we equalised - so we are gonna say we held the Brazilians in their own back yard! We leave Rio tomorrow and Im kinda sad. I could spend another month here just goin to the beach every day! But we are gettin the Bus to Sao Paolo tomorrow, so my next entry will come from there. There are loads more things I could write about, but just cant think of them at the moment. I hear you have been under an artic weather warning back home! My heart bleeds! Thanks to those who are emailing or posting messages - keep em coming cos its really nice to read. Had all the Caranaval pics to upload now but had trouble with the computer so will hopefully do them next time. Your gradually getting browner friend/family member, Jonny