A Full Day in Brazil

We were going to be cramming a LOT into our 2 1/2 days, 3 nights trip to Rio de Janeiro...

The next morning, we headed up Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer, the most famous landmark in Rio. There is a tram that goes to the top, but with our large crew, it was better to drive. I've never been chauffered so much in my life as I was on this trip. Rio drivers are NUTS as well....

You can see everyone in our crew van craning their heads to check out the latest traffic jam... which in this case, was the parking lot nightmare at the top of the mountain.

It was a pretty and quick drive up.... and the sun was hot as we climbed the remaining stairs to the statue.

I was told Cariocas like to spend the weekend walking up to the top, picnic-ing and then walking back down!

I had to fight my way through the throngs of people to check out the amazing view.



And my PA, Tiago, insisted I do the "classic pose"....

The breeze was amazing and I spent a long time just gazing out at the city and the ocean. We had the time to spare because Lolo was busy negotiating with the authorities.... apparently the landmark had recently come under the authority of the Catholic Church and film crews had to apply for permission, something that no one on our crew had been aware of. Ah, the challenges of filming "reality".

Once we got back, we headed to the Ipanema 'hippie' market to check out some local goods. As Mark grabbed a walking shot, you can see that our security man was never far behind...

And moments later, I fell in love! (those who know me will know that I'm being overdramatic). He was playing a traditional instrument common to Capoeira (I don't know what it's called). And he was stunning! I think it was the muscles that did it for me.... Anyhow, back on topic....


So THIS is what Brazilian men look like.....

Not bad, not bad at all... :)

I also got my first peek at the famous "Brazilian bikinis". Let's just say that they were VERY small, and I wasn't convinced that everyone did in fact wear them this small. But I was soon going to find out...

Next, we went to the famous Ipanema beach. It was Sunday and the last day before most people would be back to work after Carnival. So the beach was PACKED! And yes, there were tushies aplenty. It was an endless sea of booty! And really, there were booties of all sizes, but all fully on display in very small bikini bottoms. Just sitting on that crowded beach and watching how ininhibitedly the women carried on, I felt my own anxieties begin to dissipate. It was incredible.... This was a culture of women that new how to flaunt it's best "asset". Oh yes, and the men did too -- I don't think I saw a single male bum-bum in surfer shorts! What a delightful afternoon of eye candy!

(Mark, inspired by the booty on the beach)

Our crew set up camp on the beach. And I got to enjoy some coconut water straight out of the coconut and some fried cheese on a stick (curious beach-food, but definitely yummy!)

On Ipanema beach, when the sun sets, the beachgoers always clap. Just thinking about this gives me shivers! It's a beautiful guesture. And when I witnessed the beauty of the sun over the water, I couldn't help but join in.



It was absolutely breathtaking and inspiring.

But it was time to EAT.

We went to Porcao, a Brazillian steakhouse franchise, that put all other buffet I've ever had to shame. I've never consumed so much meat in my life. And it was such a social way to eat, too!

The skewers kept coming.... and soon enough I figured out that if I wanted more, I had to flip my little round card to:

And if I was full, to:

This evening marked two "firsts" in my lifetime -- My introduction to Brazillian steakhouse-style eating and my introduction to CAPIRINHAs.... More on these tasty little devils later...