As we rode the bus into Rio, we were welcomed by a sign that read, Bienvenidos a Rio de Janeiro, the Cidade Maravilhosa (or Marvelous City). Beneath the sign lay the dilapidated shacks of the favelas, or slums. There was trash everywhere, the buildings were completely covered in graffiti, windows were busted out of some of the buildings and some were boarded up. The shacks looked precariously stacked on top of each other - it was crowded and dirty. It looked rough - such a stark contrast to the words that hung above it. I have dreamt of visiting Rio for years, but with all that we had read about Rio and its dangers, violent robberies and crime, we were a bit afraid of what we might encounter in this city. Driving in and seeing this though, it was just sad. Sad to see a glimpse of the poverty and oppression that has taken over this city and been a catalyst to the crime that exists there.
But on our taxi ride from the bus station into Copacabana Beach, to our hostel, we rounded a corner to see Christ the Redeemer standing tall above the city and the beaches stretching along the coast, and I think any fears I had went right out the window...we were in RIO!!! After the small amount of time that we spent there, I can see why it is called the Marvelous City - it truly is marvelous and aptly named. It is magical, captivating and stunningly beautiful. It buzzes with an energy and you can't help but get swept up in it.
On our first afternoon there we headed up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain via two death defying gondola rides for the most beautiful views of the city. We watched the sun set behind Christ the Redeemer and sat at the top enjoying the lovely weather as the city lights came on.
The next day we took off to explore the Santa Teresa neighborhood. To get there, you have to take this tiny little train up the hill into the area. It was such a beautiful neighborhood with huge old colonial mansions that have since been run down, but are now being reused and restored. The buildings had such unique character; some with graffiti, some just reflecting years of neglect. The neighborhood echoed this bygone era where at one time only the wealthy lived; but now, what was for a time overlooked, is now being restored into this beautiful, artsy neighborhood that is both rough around the edges and charming at the same time. We ate a yummy lunch at this cute cafe and then headed back down the hill to visit the city center.
The city center was beautiful with, of course, more fantastic architecture. We walked from there down to the water and along the coast for the rest of the afternoon, where we suddenly found ourselves in a place that we did NOT belong. We had seen a beach from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain the evening before, so we decided to walk down to it, but when we arrived we realized that it was not a tourist beach and suddenly all eyes on the beach were on us. This was the closest we came to getting robbed or feeling unsafe in Rio and was actually kind of a comical experience. These 13 year old boys came up and started asking for our money and for Nathan's $5 Walmart watch...we gave them some change and they ran off laughing and shouting insults and we got out of there as quick as we possibly could...with Nathan's watch and all of our belongings in tow. We ate yummy fillet mignon, pineapple, and fois gras sandwiches at Cervantes restaurant in Copacabana for dinner and dulce de leche filled churros for dessert and then headed back to our hostel.
The next two days we spent exploring some of the other neighborhoods, the beaches, the huge botanical gardens, and met up with a friend of Nathan's grandpa who lives with his family in Urca. It was such a fun experience to hang out with their family and hear about their amazing ministry in Rio helping families in the favelas and bringing them opportunities to explore and participate in art and music and other creative outlets that they wouldn't otherwise have access to.
On our first afternoon there we headed up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain via two death defying gondola rides for the most beautiful views of the city. We watched the sun set behind Christ the Redeemer and sat at the top enjoying the lovely weather as the city lights came on.
The next day we took off to explore the Santa Teresa neighborhood. To get there, you have to take this tiny little train up the hill into the area. It was such a beautiful neighborhood with huge old colonial mansions that have since been run down, but are now being reused and restored. The buildings had such unique character; some with graffiti, some just reflecting years of neglect. The neighborhood echoed this bygone era where at one time only the wealthy lived; but now, what was for a time overlooked, is now being restored into this beautiful, artsy neighborhood that is both rough around the edges and charming at the same time. We ate a yummy lunch at this cute cafe and then headed back down the hill to visit the city center.
The city center was beautiful with, of course, more fantastic architecture. We walked from there down to the water and along the coast for the rest of the afternoon, where we suddenly found ourselves in a place that we did NOT belong. We had seen a beach from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain the evening before, so we decided to walk down to it, but when we arrived we realized that it was not a tourist beach and suddenly all eyes on the beach were on us. This was the closest we came to getting robbed or feeling unsafe in Rio and was actually kind of a comical experience. These 13 year old boys came up and started asking for our money and for Nathan's $5 Walmart watch...we gave them some change and they ran off laughing and shouting insults and we got out of there as quick as we possibly could...with Nathan's watch and all of our belongings in tow. We ate yummy fillet mignon, pineapple, and fois gras sandwiches at Cervantes restaurant in Copacabana for dinner and dulce de leche filled churros for dessert and then headed back to our hostel.
The next two days we spent exploring some of the other neighborhoods, the beaches, the huge botanical gardens, and met up with a friend of Nathan's grandpa who lives with his family in Urca. It was such a fun experience to hang out with their family and hear about their amazing ministry in Rio helping families in the favelas and bringing them opportunities to explore and participate in art and music and other creative outlets that they wouldn't otherwise have access to.
[update: we do not have our pictures from Paraty or Rio - they are at home on Nathan's computer in SC - so we can't post them here...we'll post them on facebook when we get home!]
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