Goodbye to "Bunda"

I should explain... I had stumbled across the word "bunda" while researching Brazil online months ago. It sounded like a cute way to reference the butt, so I had been using it in Rio. Until my crew mentioned it was a rather crude word (cue Tatyana blushing!). Sort of like 'ass', I supposed. Though I still like the word, I was told that "bum bum" (pronounced boom-boom) is a more playful and accepted way of referencing the mighty tush.

I was right, I didn't sleep. I tossed and turned... my brain was on hyperdrive, and I couldn't stop replaying what had already happened and imagining how the last few hours would unfold...

But the sun was out again and I was ready to hit the beach!

We had a mini-crew with us this morning as we headed for Copacabana. This is the life, I tell you. While the entire city was back to business as usual for the first time in weeks, there were still a lot of locals at the beach. Lolo mentioned to me that it wasn't uncommon for people to grab the morning paper and start their day on the beach.... oh my god, how heavenly! I can only imagine the screenplays I'd write with Ipanema as my vista....

And this, my friends, is the reason that Brazil is so famous. It's all true what they say about the bronzed women and bootys.... I was so moved to take this snap... what a booty!

So I got myself together, pulled on a cute tanga (traditional beach cover-up) over my new Brazilian bikini (no, I didn't have the guts to buy a total thong bottom, but that's also an urban legend -- most women really wear a hybrid between a normal brief bottom and a thong) and tried to ignore the people interested in observing our activities....and there were plenty. This will be the last scene of the film, so I was feeling a bit anxious to make it good.... I guess we'll see when the final product is ready! But the water was sparkling with early morning sunlight.... the sky was endless azure and the sun really did melt a big chunk of my inhibitions away in moments....

The sun was hot, limiting how many takes we could pull off... and as a final treat, Mark and I jumped into the ocean with Lolo! It had been 5 years since I'd swam in the ocean... and the familiar salty feeling was amazing.

It was 10:30 in the morning. And yes, I did indulge in a caipirinha. The last authentic one I'd have, so I justified it.



Cheers to a job well done for the foreigners at Copacabana Beach!!