Raining in Rio!

Hello Again,

Thought that a quick update was in order as having spent a couple of days in Rio.

Overnight flight from London was ok and despite the cramped legroom in the cheap seats at the back of the plane was able to get some sleep. Rio was bustling on arrival and the taxi journey once again reminded me that driving in London is not that bad!

Hostel is good with about 30 beds in total. I´m in a mixed dorm with 10 beds and all other guests seem ok, a real mix of nationalities with mostly europeans. Body clock has settled into the lifestyle and wandering round Rio is really interesting. Haven´t felt put in danger as yet.

Amongst some of the highlights that I´ve done so far include lazing around on Copacabana beach, being the only ¨gringo in different Brazilian eateries (where I was charged based upon them weighing my cooked food) and a tour through one of Rio´s Flavelea´s (Slum).

The tour was amazing as a local guide took seven people on a three hour walk round Rio´s largest Flavela (population approx 200k). We started by having an exhilarating Mototaxi ride to the summit of the Flavela. The Mototaxi was simply a Motorbike where the pillion (you, without a Helmet) is strongly encouraged to hang on as tight as possible while the pilot steers you round the hairpin bends whilst trying to avoid Buses, animal, people and other vehicles all over the place. We then were guided through a maze of streets, up and down streets and all with shouts of gringo in our ears and people wanting their photo´s taken. I cannot describe in words the sights and smells experienced but it was very humbling. We only came across two soldiers (young teenage gang members) brandishing large automatic guns nearly as big as them!

At the moment it´s raining so Hang-gliding over Rio has been postponed till a break in the weather, as has a trip up to Christ statue and attempting to climb Sugar Loaf.

Plans are to stay in Rio till Monday and then begin to travel south overland towards Sao Paulo.

JP