Days 48-50 - Rio de Janeiro!

So left straight from work Friday to go to Rio with Jackie (who was kind enough to drive). It was an uneventful drive... until we got to Rio - traffic was NUTS! It took us well over an hour more than it should have to get there. But, finally we arrived - and the B&B Jackie found for us was really, really cool. It's a really old house that you have to take a steep, winding cobblestone mountain road to get to (in the Santa Teresa area if you're into such details). The common area is a covered outside garden with hammocks, and of course the kitchen and tables - really fun. The rooms were really earthy but nice and full of character. Much better than staying in a regular hotel. 

The room Jackie & I shared - the little cot they brought in ended up being more comfortable than the normal bed, but they were both fine

The garden outside our rooms

The street seemed safe enough to me but...

A really cool building near where we stayed - not sure what it is, but it's pretty!

Oh my gosh the crazy winding mountain roads... if a car/bus comes from the other direction, somebody has to pull off the road! But so beautiful...

First thing Saturday morning we had breakfast at the B&B (simple but tasty: fruit, ham & cheese, bread, juice, coffee) and headed over to where the trains leave to go up to Christ the Redeemer. We bought tickets but the next available train left at 11:40 (it wasn't even 9:00 yet), so we headed down to check out the beach.

We couldn't find a parking spot, so we hopped out to grab some coconut water before going back to catch the train. I really, really love drinking the water straight out of the coconut... so yummy!

We headed back over to board the train. The ride up was really, really pretty, and even though it was crowded & hot, I enjoyed the views. We also grabbed a bite to eat up at the top (NOT cheap - no matter what continent you're on, they know when they've got you!)

We're thinking maybe that's a horse track?

After leaving Christ (ok, that sounds a little different than what I was thinking but...) we headed back toward the beach and stumbled across a monthly market there. It was really fun checking out all the stuff (and people-watching of course).

And back to Copacobana just before sunset - it was chilly! Weird since it was hotter than %$&# all day.

Some things you can never un-see.

Apparently the Miami Heat & Brooklyn Nets were in town playing a game (strange).

Saturday night we drove around in circles for a while (it's a very confusing city, I gotta tell you), then gave up and went back to the B&B & ordered a pizza... which was unlike any pizza I've ever had, and not really in a good way. The crust was almost nonexistent and more like a flimsy tortilla shell. We were so tired we didn't really care.

Sunday morning we got up early and went to a beach called Leme. We grabbed some breakfast at a little bar/restaurant, then walked down the beach. It was really foggy but there were still a lot of people there.

Lol when some people do the gansta crouch they look cool. I look like I'm trying to poop and then almost fall over on my a$$.

We headed back just after noon and made it to SJC a little after 5. I had a great weekend! Even though I only got to see a snippet, Rio is absolutely beautiful.

Now, only 5 days until I get to head home for a week! I'm SO looking forward to it! Sending messages out to the universe for a surprisingly productive and enjoyable work week! Hope y'all all have the same!