So you guys don't think it's always a beautiful life here, until yesterday, Rio has had thirteen straight days of rain. Yes, the Tropics are good for sun and rain. On about day ten of the dampness, I also had my first sickness here and spent a day in bed with a head cold and a sore stomach. I think I am over it now, but I am still taking it easy with what I eat and drink.
Now that the weather has changed for the better, the city has returned to its usual happy demeanor. Casual dress and habits of the inhabitants follows from beach to business. One is almost never out of place in a pair of flip-flops (but they must be the Hawaiiana brand with the little Brazilian flag on the thong).
This week has also ushered in a warm flood and energy of Carnaval vacationers. I'm lucky to have a couple of friends and Rotary Scholars, Mike and Christina stop in for a few days to enjoy the festivities. Though unrelated to Carnaval, we had a proper Rio start by heading to Maracana Stadium today. Maracana is one of the largest stadiums in the world (it used to be the largest with 200,000 standing room, but football's governing body FIFA, said that seats must be included in the official numbers). The building is monumental, forming a perfect circle rising above the buildings in the surrounding neighborhood. My host brother, Rafael is a rabid Botafogo fan, so he took us to a between Botafogo and one of their Rio rivals, Vasco de Gama. Mike, Christina, and I learned how to shout, dance, and applaud in proper Fogo fashion. The teams all have songs and cheers, accompanied by fireworks, twenty foot swaying flags, and banners stretching hundreds of feet across the crowds. Final score. 3-2, Botafogo. I like to think we had something to do with it.
On the way out of the stadium, the three of us were pleasantly surprised to find a Rotary Statue right on the stadium grounds commemorating green space that Rotary sponsored right at the stadium. Gotta love it.
I leave you with the words of Fogo's anthem. Happy Carnaval to all!
E ninguém cala,
este nosso amor,
E é por isso que eu canto,
assim É por ti Fogo!!
And let no one be quiet,
this is our love,
and for this reason I sing,
like this for you Fogo!!
Now that the weather has changed for the better, the city has returned to its usual happy demeanor. Casual dress and habits of the inhabitants follows from beach to business. One is almost never out of place in a pair of flip-flops (but they must be the Hawaiiana brand with the little Brazilian flag on the thong).
This week has also ushered in a warm flood and energy of Carnaval vacationers. I'm lucky to have a couple of friends and Rotary Scholars, Mike and Christina stop in for a few days to enjoy the festivities. Though unrelated to Carnaval, we had a proper Rio start by heading to Maracana Stadium today. Maracana is one of the largest stadiums in the world (it used to be the largest with 200,000 standing room, but football's governing body FIFA, said that seats must be included in the official numbers). The building is monumental, forming a perfect circle rising above the buildings in the surrounding neighborhood. My host brother, Rafael is a rabid Botafogo fan, so he took us to a between Botafogo and one of their Rio rivals, Vasco de Gama. Mike, Christina, and I learned how to shout, dance, and applaud in proper Fogo fashion. The teams all have songs and cheers, accompanied by fireworks, twenty foot swaying flags, and banners stretching hundreds of feet across the crowds. Final score. 3-2, Botafogo. I like to think we had something to do with it.
On the way out of the stadium, the three of us were pleasantly surprised to find a Rotary Statue right on the stadium grounds commemorating green space that Rotary sponsored right at the stadium. Gotta love it.
I leave you with the words of Fogo's anthem. Happy Carnaval to all!
E ninguém cala,
este nosso amor,
E é por isso que eu canto,
assim É por ti Fogo!!
And let no one be quiet,
this is our love,
and for this reason I sing,
like this for you Fogo!!
1 comment:
Sounds like ur having a great time!!! miss ya and love ya!
your big sissy
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