I remember seeing cyclists pedaling up to Cristo Redentor, so Chris and I decided we would run up Sao Conrado through Tijuca National Park. I think we underestimated the length of the trip, which was about 18 hours. We did get to appreciate some great views despite the low lying clouds.

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We visited the Stairs of Lapa, http://youtu.be/R5MRdCy8H9k It was a project of Chilean artist, Jorge Selaron, who decorated the stairs with tiles from around the world Other artists have displayed their talent with graphity on the walls of neighboring streets. While in Lapa we also walked by the arcs and the Cathedral then took in the views along Leblon Beach. Then it was time for Chris and meet Evelyn in Peru. Chris was a great travel companion for the 2.5 weeks through Brasil and made experiencing the World Cup much more fun. I hadn’t planned much for the trips we made, so Chris’ planning was monumental in being able to secure tickets through FIFA and finding places to stay. Now I’m on my own to plan my explorations. We hope our paths cross again in Tanzania to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro or in Nepal to hike to Mt. Everest base camp or to enjoy some drinks somewhere in between.

I was not successful in renting a BikeRio bike from the many stations around the city so I kept with metro and going by foot. It rained for a couple days, so I found indoor activities visiting museums and churches. Highlights included the national library, Nossa Senhora Candelaria Church and a Salvador Dali Exhibit. Dali’s exhibit was very comprehensive and I left impressed with his creative surrealist artwork, philisophical literature and genius inventions.

I also participated in a Cook in Rio class. Chef Simon guided 10 of us in preparing a traditional Brasilian meal of fish with plantain farofa

And caipirinhas of course! This one with passion fruit.

When the sun decided to smile, I joined the Fonsecas for a walk down Ipanema Beach while the street was closed off to traffic for cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy.

I bought a coco to drink while walking Copacabana beach, watching surfers and games of futevoley on the beach.

I continued walking to Leme Beach to see the Berliner Bears on Parade promoting world love, peace and unity. It just so happens that Brasil is celebrating the year of Germany and the Berliner Bears from 150 nations were on Leme Beach. It was quite spectacular seeing all the different art designs from each country. http://youtu.be/dPXyD4Svz3s, http://youtu.be/oOQmzKRguzY

I visited the Sambadrome, where Carnival is celebrated every year before the Christian observance of fasting, alms giving and prayer during Lent. The Sambadrome will be the finish line of the 2016 Olympic Marathon, so I took a picture to motivate Brandon in his quest to compete in the paralympic games. Now though was a different atmosphere with the plaza full of Argentinians camping in their cars after having driven to Rio to spport their team in the World Cup Final game versus Germany. I tried to get some of them to join me in dancing some Samba moves, but I think a little aguardente would help, http://youtu.be/UR4bAoRDOOk

I also went rock climbing on Urca, a rock formation at the base of Pao de Azucar that offered unique views from the vantage point along the face of its vertical sides. My guide’s name was Andrew who was also born in Houston, so we got to talk about our days growing up. An Aussie, named Simon was also on the guided climb. Turns out he is a civil engineer, so we got to talk about science and such. Andrew’s afternoon climbers cancelled their reservations so he took us on a bonus climb to a crevice to try crack climbing. At first it looked like it was going to be really challenging, but Andrew called up directions to lead us through the proper techniques, lesson being not in strength but agility and positioning.