Biggest Stadium Ever

On a rather cloudy Sunday, we decided to go to a soccer game after the hang gliding instructor called and told us that it was too windy for hang gliding. Since we couldn't throw ourselves off a cliff, we decided that throwing ourselves into a drunk, rowdy crowd would be just as thrilling. So we went to the stadium fairly early to get our tickets and noticed only large bands of very enthusiastic men walking around and we started to feel a little nervous. When game time got closer, though, we saw many families and fans that looked a lot less aggressive. It turned out that the stadium was so big, (it fits 80,000) that you could easily have a whole row to yourself. There were a few sections where the die-hard fans banded together. There were drums, huge flags waving, and constant chanting - "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole . . something something, something something." The game was pretty mellow. The Sao Paulo team won 1-0 against the Rio team.

Juicy Juices

This is a typical juice stand in Rio. They have at least three on every corner. You name the fruit, and you can have it. my favorite was passion fruit and mango blended with milk - this is called a vitamina because it has the milk. Without milk it's called a suco - which just means juice in Portuguese. I stayed in Ipanema which is basically like staying on the Upper East Side. So whichever spots weren't taken up by juice stands were usually clothing boutiques, where I did a lot of shopping. If you walk two blocks east, you're right on the beach. That's why I love Rio - you can walk from your favorite sandwich and juice shop, do all of your city errands, and hang out on the beach within a four block radius.

Dune Buggy Rides in Jericoacoara

So Loa and I decided to take a break from the sandblasting we received on the beach each day for a buggy ride (pronounced boogee) to the local freshwater lakes. (Please refer to the picture of the tree here for an illustration of just how windy it was there.) You can also see us perched on the back of the boogee. There are two inside seats, one for the driver and one passenger, but you get assaulted by exhaust fumes down there. Up top, you get the wind blowing your hair and all of the other Hollywood effects that come from girls in bikinis riding on cars.

Sloth Attack!

So here I am on a motor boat navigating around the Amazon River. Since the forest is so dense and full of so many places to hide, you can see much more wildlife on the water. Our boat had an English speaking guide who did most of the talking, while a Brazilian assistant navigated and did most of the animal spotting. So Moises, our Brazilian guide, saw the sloth way up high in a tree. Then he dove into the pirana-filled water that we were told not to evn dip our hands into, climbed the tree, put a t-shirt over the sloth, and brought the poor guy onto the boat for all of us to snap photos with him. I was half disgusted with myself for being one of the obnoxious tourists that allow this to happen every day, and half thrilled to get the shot. You have to hold the little guy from his back and essentially pin his arms open so that he can't claw you with his incredibly sharp, long nails. His fur was spiky and clumped together - kind of like wet dog, but his face had the cutest, though I'm sure unintentional, smile. It was a completely staged tourist attraction but I fell for it like everyone else.

I'm Off

I leave for Brazil tomorrow. I have piles of clothing all over my room at my parents' house. My tank tops, shorts, and bikinis fold up into tiny little packages, and yet the suitcase I aim to bring seems awfully small for all these piles. I have no idea how many long sleeve shirts I will need. Does it get windy on the beach? How many days will be overcast? Don't I want to be covered when I am sleeping on a hammock in the rain forest? So many questions . . . . I can't wait to get some answers. Be on the lookout for my updates and please add your comments.