Day 8

I take an Uber from Recreio to do some sightseeing in Rio proper with Chris. I am not one for touristy type stuff, but Rio is just so striking to me- this juxtaposition of city and nature. It finds a way to endear itself to my curiosity. I walk down one street and it reminds me of New York, the next like Barcelona- then suddenly you are confronted with these stunning mountains and favelas. There is so much to love and so much to fear.

I meet Chris for a drink and nachos. When it suddenly starts to rain, he buys us both a massive umbrella each (in Portuguese, so I can’t protest).They will be used for all 10 minutes and are now probably the property of a nice hotel employee. We head to sugarloaf mountain via cab (it’s Chris so we don’t walk, obviously) and then via cable car.

Brazilians are incredibly religious and when you see the view from sugarloaf mountain, it’s easy to understand why. It is simply breathtaking, otherworldly, transcendent.

I think I will just post some pictures instead of trying to explain.

I also had my first official Brazilian caipirinha on sugarloaf!!! At this point (many days later) I have had to take a break from them as my tongue is raw from the limes. Nonetheless, this caipirinha was particularly delicious atop sugarloaf mountain.

The Christ Redeemer hides among a cluster of clouds for my entire visit to sugarloaf. He continues to hide for the rest of my stay in Rio. Days later, on my way to the airport I look up to the obscured Christ redeemer. That’s okay, I think, I’ve had enough of you anyway.

Song of the day:

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Mais Que Nada