View from the Corcovado.
Cristo Redentor statue.
Lagoa at sunset.
This really cool car called a Gurgel had a really cool sticker of one of the places I wish I could've gone in Brazil... next time.
Nay and I our new friend Adam who we met at the Corocavada.
Adam enjoying a view in Santa Theresa.
Thiaza and Cintia- pretty much take the cake as the funnest Brazilian girls ever.
left to right: Thiaza (Thiago's sister), Nay, Cintia (Thiaza's best friend), me and Lucia (Thiago's mom.)
Linnea and I both were completely blown away by Rio. The beaches were pristine, stunning views and with the world's largest urban jungle there was plenty of outdoors to be enjoyed which makes it a very livable metropolis for people who love sun and sand. I had no idea what to expect since I had heard such polar opinions of different people's experiences there, but I fell in love with the place- its energy, passion, conflict and exotic beauty make it irresistibly magnetic. Our excellent company definitely contributed to my infatuation. Nay had a friend, Thiago, who she met while studying abroad in Spain. His family lives a block from the beach in Barra da Tijuca- a nearby suburb described as the "Miami of Rio" with heaps of great beaches and only 20 minutes outside of the city center. Immediately we felt right at home with Thiago's lovely, close knit and incredibly hospitable family who were overjoyed to show us "their" city. We explored Ipanema where Rio's all too glamorous cariocas were strutting the streets, went to a Baia concert (a sort of Paul Simon meets Bossa Nova meets Phish) in Lapa- the epicenter of Rio's nightlife, took the bonde train to explore the cobblestone streets and marvel at aging mansions in the artist outpost of Santa Teresa, climbed to the top of the Corcovado to catch a birds eye view, and danced samba till the wee hours with Thiaza and Cintia at a club were it was impossible not to be moving. It was a teary farewell after such a blissful few days, but Thiago's family are already planning a trip to California and I'd jump at any chance to return to Rio.
