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I literally didn't sleep a wink lastnight and I am starting to wonder what the helps wrong with me. Lilian went to the gym early so I decided to make her my special oat pancakes for when she got back. It may seem like all I talk about is food but it is something so important to me as its something we do 4-5 times a day and it something very small I can give and do for all the wonderful people who let me into their life's and homes. And the look on Lilians face and her gratitude makes the small amount of effort so worthwhile. There was another bus strike on here today so all buses were grounded so after breakfast I decided to go for a walk around the Flamengo neighborhood. I stumbled across the daily street market and this was the best one I had seen in Rio so far; with all kinds of meats, fish, cheese, sweets, fruits and vegetables. I tried some delicious mango, chiramoya, caki fruits some sweet coconut and lemon slice, coconut cake and the most delicious soft avocado - settling on buying a few Caki, avocados and chicken necks - Yes chicken necks: they are like candy to me. I headed back to the apartment did my daily exercises, made some delicious hot chocolate and coconut milk and ate some of yesterday's Tortilla. In the afternoon I packed a small day pack and walked around the coast about an hour to the beach at Sugar Loaf Mountain. The beach was small and very secluded and I had heard there was a track that could be walked up to the top of Urca mountain as opposed to paying the pricey $30 cable car. I found the trail and although quiet steep it wasn't too difficult and it only took me 40 minutes to reach the top where I was treated to some amazing 360 degree views of Rio; Christo, Copacabana, Botafago bay, Niteroi and all the other major areas of Rio. People were stammering back and fourth taking photos so quickly they could barely look through their lenses. I pulled up a chair - yes they had chairs and yet no one was using them (not enough time for that) and sat watching the sun go down over Cristo the Redeemer. The statue of Cristo is incredible and demands attention - looking down over the city with arms stretched out: Now I feel like I am in Rio de Janeiro. As it gets dark they close the walking trail up to the mountain and allow hikers a free cable car ride down the mountain which was a nice little bonus and certainly saved my legs. I made my way back to the apartment walking and luckily got my second-wind and got back within 30-40 minutes. Lilian was at the apartment and I had promised to show her how to make guocamole tonight after I showered and cleaned up. As it was quite cold at the top of Urca Mountain I really wanted a warm shower but unfortunately there is only cold water showers here. For dinner I made another Indian curry and showed Lilian how to make my very simple guacamole. In the evening I managed to organize my next stop in Brazil which will be the famous city of Salvador; getting myself a host and a flight for about 10 days time.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Different vendors at each days street markets
- Supermarket checkout attendants are incredible slow - purposely slow to keep people in supermarkets
- I love the fruit in Brazil more then anything
- People entering elevators are polite, people on the street are not
- The city is teething with wealthy tourists
- Cold water showers
- Tried new sweet food: coconut/caramel/lemon confit type thing at street market
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