Rio, Brazil

Rio at the Copa…CopAA-CABANA. I stayed in the El Misti hostel which was full of a tour group, when they left the place became relaxed and loveable. So yes it is as beautiful as everyone says and no it’s not really dangerous, just use some common sense.

Danni and I went up Morro de Corcovado to see the infamous Cristo Redentor. The views were amazing and you can really get a feel of this beautiful city called Rio. Later that evening we went to Santa Tereasa but we didn’t walk around the favela as there had just been a drive by.

The Lapa street party is class on a Friday night and there is a funk party close to the arches but unfortunately you need to watch out for the little favela kids under the arches trying to rob your valuables as the police will do nothing to help you.

A few times a week I went for a 7.5km run around the lake, i managed to not get shin splints and eventually managed to run it in 32 mins, so i still have a long way to getting fit, but it was lovely to run by the lake and have the sun shinning down.

On my first night I hit a local pit stop slash bar that the locals use and gringo´s steer clear from. The locals thought it was hilarious and I was welcomed in from the word go, they thought they spoke English and I thought I spoke Portuguese but we managed to communicate and have some craic. I made the mistake of asking which football club was better and before you know it the bar was up in arms and I sat back and enjoyed the friendly jagged jokes. One guy offered me to live in his apartment at cheaper rate than hostel and although genuine I thought it best to stay in a hostel.

On my first night I went to a samba fiesta, it was basically a mini carnival using the red and white colours of my gaa club, (cuala). It involved a mixed crazy night with a dance il never conquer and simply be amused to watch and not attempt. The night was something out of a movie but I’m afraid its best to not bring your camera out on local Rio parties so you will have to use your imagination of the red and white flags flying and the band on stage and the dozens upon dozens of little drums up high on a loft over the dance floor.

I hit the Castelo Pedras funk party on my second night, its located in the San Pedras favela. Juliana and Patricia from the hostel escorted four of us and it was out of this world. We managed to manoeuvre our way into VIP, I did even without a pass, and this helped at the start as I was nervous entering but soon relaxed when I heard the beats and saw the sexual nature of the dancing... yes..... it’s something that you have to...have to ...see. It wasn’t long before I hit the dance floor and abandon the gringo lounge. I met a lovely girl called Jesse which I continued to date for the next three weeks.

Jesse lives’ in a favela called Morro de Banco in Itanhanga. I spent most of my time here and favela life is quite normal compared to what is portrayed but obviously has some subtle difference when it comes to policing. I have two great memories, one being spending the day on Barra beach, in the afternoon eating the northern dish which included canrne seca and cheese with Jesse sisters and bro and later a local foho night without a gringo insight.

My fondest memory was walking past some local voodoo chicken legs which Jesse kicked into the flowing river and then seeing the favela waterfall, which was in between two waterfalls, surrounded by green forestry. In a gap over the second waterfall drop it was possible to see the city and sea in the distance.

This was the first time on my trip I felt I really lived in a place and when I was leaving Jesse, her brother and sisters and I were all sad to see my time had came to an end. It was truly touching to see that people had grown close to you, even though I was such a poor communicator, it still puzzles me how Jesse and I could communicate so well in a foreign language but I guess that’s one of life´s mysteries and Rio will always be special for me.