Rain rain rain

29Jan
Went to the botanical garden, It was mostly dry...

30Jan
Well finally the weather has improved slightly. So we set off to Christ the redenter. Just as we set off it started to rain. Hard! Great. But we continued on our mission even when some people came and tried to get their money back whilst we were queuing to buy our tickets to go up. But the gods must have liked us, because as we were ascending on the little funicular, the clouds started to drift off and the rain stopped.
The statue itself was amazing although the general comment/feeling was that it was smaller than we expected. It was still fairly impressive though. The views were spectacular and we could see the full panorama without problem. In fact I was kind of glad it was cloudy, as it gave the place a different atmosphere. After that, we headed for Sugar loaf.(Pao de Acucar). Again we were very lucky because as we ascended up the two cable cares, the weather, was kind to us and the sun even made a short appearance. What was most amazing was the view of the redenter from Sugar loaf and vice versa. But the camera was kept busy with many different shots of Rio, albeit with a bit of cloud, though still marvelous in all its glory.
31Jan
The sun is shining and Rio looks even better in the sun. So headed down to Ipanema to check out the scene there. It was hot hot hot.

01Feb
Went to the beach as the weather was fab. The others went off so I remained for a while longer, then went shopping. That evening we headed to Lapa for a bloco. It was great. We got to get inside the area where the samba school was warming up. Then came out with the school. We were able to stay very close to the drummers and the Queen of the drummers (A samba dancer who sambas in front of the drummers to inspire them. She was stunning and boy could she samba. We followed that for about an hour or so around the streets of Lapa. It was fab being there and watching all the people waving from the balconies and bars and dancing in the streets. Then we stayed around Lapa, to take in the Friday atmosphere. Although it was not as good as last week as too many gringos around. It was busy though.

02Feb
Stayed in the hostel, most of the day except to go to lunch. Then about 3.30, we headed to another hostel down the road, to pick up the van that was to take us to a futebol match. Yup me going to a football match, and actually paying to go to it. Mad I know. What has happened to me????. But it had to be done. Vasco de Gama Versus Botofogo.

We got there about 5 and an game was already in progress. The organisers put all the tourists in one sector of the stadium. We were right next to the most active Vasco de Gama supporters section. It was mad. The atmosphere really was mad. We were thrown white balloons and were chanting almost as good as the locals. We obviously supported Vasco de Gama. I think if we hadn’t we would have been lynched. But the drums were beating and the chants were in time with those and all was good. Until about 10minutes before the end when a scuffle broke out and what looked like a possible stampede started. It was a bit of a moment when suddenly a lot of people started coming towards us. But then it stopped as suddenly as it started only to start again and stop again a few minutes later. The police were in like a ton of bricks in 5 seconds flat. It was a good experience though and worth it. We got back about 9.30 and I went to bed shortly afterwards as was so tired.

03Feb
Lauren, from Essex joined us today. It rained most of the day again…
About 9pm, 9 of us went to see a bloco in Ipanema. We missed the bloco. But the beach was heaving with revelers. However, there was no real atmosphere and at about midnight, we headed back to Lapa, where the party is always happening. It was so much nicer and energetic. I met up with Pascal, and she informed me that today, she felt she had switched over from being a tourist to being a real carioca (Rio resident). Her room is working out sort of and she has been working in Lapa behind a stall selling Capairinha, among other things with her Brazilian boyfriend, Rodrigo. She was buzzing and seems really happy. We met some of Laurens friends and I showed them the artist’s steps. They were suitably impressed. I think.