Last few days in Rio

7thFEb
Alex and I got the evening bus to Parate. We have left Rio. boo hoo.

6th Feb,

God I´m wrecked. Went to Copacobana to see our last bloca. It was a nice atmosphere down there. Although nothing compares to lapa. 3 nights in a row out late and now I go for another. Tonight is our last night so Alex and I meet up with Pascale in Santa Theresa. There is of course a party going on and a bloc at one of the street corners. The usual collection of caiparinha stands are gathered to sell their concoctions. We decide on this one with some friends of Pascales. IT is owned by Dolores. She has a stand that is some levels up from the others. very posh. Turns out she speaks 5 languages and is a tour guide. Has travelled all over Europe and S. America. Brilliant character. She told us of all the future parties that we were to miss. Oh I so could have stayed there. Dolores was married to an Argentinian and loved it ther ebut thinks Argentinians are a litte snooty and think they are superior. After several weeks in Brazil and meeting some Argentinians I agree they do think they are a little better than their neighbours. In some respects they are a little more sophiticated but... who knows. I got to say good bye to Reginaldo and Bruno another friend of Pascales. Pascale is doing ok in her new life but I worry and it was sad to say goodbye to her. I hope she will be ok.

5thFeb
Exhausted after our late night out but still up for a party, Lauren and I ventured out to Lapa. It was mad. We only went out for a short while but stayed out til about 4-5am. We were approached by several Brazilians wanting to chat etc. I left Lauren to find Pascale and encounted 3 different guys who shouted my name all in about a 5 minute walk. It was hilarious. Some of those we met had immigrated to Germany etc. but had come back from Carnival. We found a great little mini bar with a great dj whom I chatted to for a while before his set. Teh music was total cheese but went from Abba to 90´s dance tunes. Lauren and I had a blast. Tehre were loads of people just enjoying the buzz and dancing and loads of transvestites and characters of all types. Brill night. Lauren kissed this absolutely gorgeous darkskinned guy and was very proud of her conquest. We then headed off to a live band a few minutes away. There were 100´s there. Met a Spanish guy who wanted to know how we girls handled all the attention we got from the men here. I told him most of the time it is just friendly banter and nothing more, sometimes though you just want to stand and watch but someone always comes to chat.