Next, we ventured into the Rio Sul shopping centre. My efficient producer grabbed my hand and led me to a small handful of her favourite bikini shops (I couldn't get over how many there were -- far more than clothing stores for sure), told me we were running on a tight schedule today, and left me to try on and buy a Brazilian-style bikini. I've had stressful situations before, that's for sure. But this one was completely unexpected.... and incomparable to anything I had done. I have been working on this film in part because of my own body confidence issues.... and being in Brazil was supposed to boost my confidence, or at least that was the hope. But as I tried to select a bikini (they sell tops and bottoms separately, why isn't that the norm everywhere in the world?), in tiny little flourescently lit fitting rooms with barely enough room to look over my shoulder in the mirror at my butt in, and sales associates who were Brazilian-beauties with minimal English skills who kept checking in on me.... the anxiety returned. I had to think back to the day prior when I had seen women of all shapes and sizes on the beach in very tiny bikinis.... to rationalize why the bottoms were tiny little triangles.... I very nearly had a bit of a breakdown in the first store.... and then I had a moment... and just stopped being so hard on myself.
To their credit, bikinis might be mighty skimpy in Rio, but they are well-crafted like nothing I've ever seen before. Some that I picked up were almost too beautiful for just the beach -- embellishments, stones, ribbons, embroidery.... Not one to flash my goods on the beach, I ended up picking a very cute, simple style with a little bit of flair to remind me of Brazil... to hopefully wear with confidence... one day. :)
As I drooled over all of the amazing (and extremely affordable!) fashion in the windows, I cried a little inside because I knew I'd have no time to check them out. Maybe next time...
Oh, I never really mentioned our hotel. Work booked us into the Mercure Botafogo. It was the least pricey of the Mercure chain.... as it wasn't a "beachfront" property... but nice just the same. The coolest thing was how energy-efficient it was. Fans in the elevator wouldn't turn on unless sensors let them know someone had stepped into it. Same with the hallway lights.... and in order to get the lights, AC and tv working in the room, you had to put your room card in the slot! So as to prevent wastage of these things operating all day long....
The room was a suite, complete with a kitchen, and European style bathroom (no tub!). My only qualm was the army of teeny ants that took up residence with me. They were EVERYWHERE. And seemed to take a liking to my toiletries.... not fun. But all in all, I'd stay there again. Very affordable, safe location, and not too far from amenities.
Our crew met up and we drive out to the beach for our next shoot.
So I can't say there's ever really time for sightseeing on this production, unless it's THIS sort of sight-seeing....
These amazing sand sculptures are created by artists along Copacabana beach. Check them out -- maybe I've been sheltered, but I don't believe I've ever seen the female form sculpted from sand. How PERFECT for my film! (Thanks, Brad for the tip!)
Of course, for the traditionalists, there was this amazing castle/palace... Incredible!!
Of course, as we get ready to film a scene on the beach, the clouds start to roll in. Didn't even occur to me that it might rain mid-Summer in Rio. And, of course, the minute we had our gear set up for filming, the droplets started. We took shelter in the production van... and thankfully the rain sort of held off. But the beaches remained deserted, which was a bit of a 'bummer'.
My Brazilian "Booty Crew"! I have to hand it to the team... despite Lolo being the only one with English fluency, the gang was such a pleasure to work with. It was their light-hearted vibe that made this whirlwind trip so much more bearable! After only a couple of days, I was already starting to relax... which is a bizarre feeling during shooting. It's something intoxicating about the environment, the pace, the air, the people. You just can't continue your stress-case, fast-paced persona in Rio.
Last dinner in Rio. Ok, so we hadn't had enough of the meat or the ambiance. So we went for Brazilian steakhouse, AGAIN. And I continued my love-affair with caipirinhas....
They have a KEG of cachaca with complimentary shots as you walk into the restaurant.... I declined. Not on an empty stomach... I've learned this over the years....
The caipirinhas came afterwards, as you can see....
I love nothing more than the final meal after a block of shooting days.... it's become a bit of a tradition. I got to know the team a bit better, including our soundman's lovely assistant (and daughter!) Joanna and our PA (also filmmaker and Executive Producer in the Brazilian film scene) Tiago.
Despite my fatigue, I wanted to go out and samba the night away... But I was informed, after a non-stop party for the people of Rio for more than 2 weeks of Carnival, nothing was really open! Again, I remind my lovely readers that my travels really are about work! It was probably for the best, as we had decided to shoot one last and hopefully sun-shiney scene) early the next morning... to make up for the clouds today.
Only a few more hours left in Rio.... I wondered if I'd be able to sleep....
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