Rio de Janeiro 4/27-4/30

I spent four amazing days in Rio de Janeiro with two of my good friends from school, Zaria (from Michigan) and Grant (from Australia).  

We arrived in Rio on April 27th and that night we went to see the Rio Ballet Company perform Tatiana live in Centro do Rio, and then spent the evening in Lapa, the downtown/nightlife area of Rio.  

Lapa is famous for Escadaria Selarón, and the Aqueduto da Carioca but at night, Lapa turns into a lively street party lined with bars, clubs and food/drink venders.

Our first night in Rio, living up to it's reputation, Grant was robbed by two transexuals at knifepoint. (Enter heart attacks for Mom and Dad... oh and Miranda).

BUT he was okay and was able to file a police report the following day to send to his insurance.  Luckily for him, the "trannys" only wanted his iPhone (oh American products, so exciting to Brasilians)

Escadaria Selarón (The Lapa Steps): An art project started by Jorge Selarón in 1990.  Basically a collection of tiles that he has been lining these steps with for 22 years.  Now travelers from all over the world can bring tiles from their countries and he will add them to the project.  There is still a lot of unfinished parts, but he calls is "his tribute to Brasilian people" and expects it to be an ongoing project until his death.

Aqueduto da Carioca (after a little bit of rainfall).  At night the street venders set up their carts here as it is in the center of all the downtown bars and clubs.

 The second day of our trip we decided to walk from the North end of Copacabana Beach to the very south end of Ipanema.  Although this was a pretty long walk (especially in the sand), we decided this was a great way to see the two most famous beaches in Brasil, but also to see the people of Rio (aka. Cariocas) and the lesser known beach of Leblon.

Copacabana Beach.  Said to be the most famous beach in the world.

 Ipanema Beach.  Home of the well-known Bossa Nova song "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema).  Much more beautiful beach than Copacabana but it was a little overcast this day.

 Me with my good friend, Cristo Redentor

 The view from Jesus' platform in the sky.  The beautiful mountains of rio de Janeiro, including Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain) at the bottom right (the tall pointy one).

My trip to Rio was exciting and busy.  Zaria, Grant and I wanted to get in as much sightseeing as possible while also trying to enjoy the culture of Rio since it is very different from São Paulo.  I was able to see all of the sights that I really wanted to see, but would love to go back and experience the rest of the amazing sights and adventures that Rio has to offer.