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I literally didn't sleep a wink lastnight as I was bursting at the seem with excitement - I am in Freaking Rio in a Penthouse apartment with wonderful friends!! When I got up I made some Mate and met Lilian and Leonardo's maid and soon after Lilian returned and I was introduced to a very delicious breakfast - Tapioca pancakes: made with tapioca flour, coconut and salt (very dry recipe) and then fried - the result a fluffy and slightly salty pancake eaten with jam, honey or cheese. I chatted with Lilian for a while, shared some Mate and then headed down to the street to go for a walk and do some shopping. The neighborhood is really nice but the traffic is hectic and just to cross the road is somewhat of an adventure. I found a couple of supermarkets, brought a few bits and pieces and then headed back to the apartment. I literally could just stay put in the apartment and have an awsome time looking out the window and watching sky TV but when in Rio..... I packed a small backpack and then made my way through the valley to Copacabana beach - unfortunately the weather is very overcast but it was nice to get out for a walk and take my first look at the famous Copacabana beach. There wasn't a lot happening on Copacabana beach because of the weather but the sheer size of it along with its setting certainly took my breath away and to sit on the sand, look out to see and smell the fresh sea breeze reminded me of home. On the way back to the apartment it started to rain which is quite unusual for this time of year so I sped up my pace and made it back before the worst of it came. I was able to see Leo and say goodbye just before he left for his business trip to Houston. In the evening I took it very easy, watched a movie and researched things to do in Rio over the next couple of weeks.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Copacabana - party and money district where I imagine most people stay
- Rio is a very unique city set among mountains, hills, valleys and jungle
- the sheer size of the city is overwhelming
- You can feel the insecurity in the air here - dangerous people everywhere because of huge contrast between rich and poor
- My aim is to not look like a tourist
- Bus network seems good
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