both within the people i stayed with and the heat in rio.. two weeks proved far too short a visit.. i managed to avoid most of the touristy stuff (like getting my pockets ripped or my bag cut open).. instead i experienced the life of cariocas and i shopped at the cheaper malls in the suburbs.. but of course i went to copacabana and ipanema, the sugarloaf and the christ statue too.. the city surroundings are so extremely beautiful.. though the traffic was horrible, i saw a woman carrying a baby get run over.. and i saw gun fire one night that i thought was fireworks.. i recommend knowing some basic portuguese to easier get rid of annoying salesmen and beggars, and to get more interesting encouners in general.. overall i had a fantastic time.. enjoyed the variety of fruits and juices much.. aahhh the barbeque places.. black beans with rice and farofa.. pasta was always over-cooked tho.. the subway system was super simple and cheap.. i felt safe most of the time although people kept warning me.. and i can’t wait to go there again because there is no better place on earth :)
