Hey everyone!! Arrived safe and sound in Rio. Having lots and lots of fun. Been a really mad week - been soo busy!! Firstly getting to know everyone on my trip - as I have only met the fifteen of us once before! Then, secondly getting to learn portugese - which is the main purpose of these three weeks. Its quite a hard language but I am just about getting to grips with it! Having four hours of lessons each day! Then thirdly, been sightseeing and relaxing on the beaches of Rio. The beaches are really nice! Ipanema is the beach closest to our hostel - its really nice - so started to work on my tan. Then we have also all been learning samba! In fact, off do it after I have written this! Its quite hard but I am enjoying shaking my hips lots!! Then we have also been sightseeing - been up to Christ de Redema - which is amazing! Such an important symbol of the city - does feel like it is watching over you! Then went to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain - which had gorgeous views over Rio - you could really see the divide between the rich and poor up there - the hills filled with favelas and the beach areas filled with hig rises. It is soo prominent here - very bizarre. In fact our hostel is situated just at the bottom of a favela - right on the divide. We also went to a crazy footie match between flumense and botafogo - two of the biggest teams in Rio - was sooo cool! The atmosphere was amazing! Drums, streamers, massive flags, the stands were completly full. It was a draw 2-2 and we were supporting flumense - who definately had the most dedicated supporters - so I think we were on the right side! I also liked the fact that people came round and sold you popcorn as you watched! Liked the idea of food and entertainment! When the goals were actually scored the amount of noise was crazy! i had a lovely brazilian hug me when we scored one time - everyone starts dancing - its so crazy!! Also been out most nights - the brazilian spirit is really cool - everyone up for a good time and dancing the night away - which i have been loving! Right got to go - off to Samba! Hope everyone is well - and I will update you soon with some more of the bits I have been up too!!