winter in Rio de Janeiro

Ronarto´s little house in Ipanema is cute and got character.  His girlfriend and roommates and dog are friendly and we got along quickly.

Winter in Rio is normally nice and cool but we are told that it´s been raining for a few days when we arrived.  We got ripped off instantly... guess being Chinese,  we have the word `tourist´on our forehead.  Taxi stand in the airport before you get out charge 72 reais for a taxi ride to Ipanema... although they are licensed and safer, they are also probably doubled the price of a normal taxi ride.

Ipanema is charming but no one really swim in the winter even though it´s like 20C.  I guess it's due to the rain in the past couple of days that cooled it down.  We fall in love with Ipanema right away.  Hippie Fair is heaven to a shoppaholic like me.  It's like a maze.. like in the neverending story where once you are in it it's hard to get out - you get lost literally, or more like you don't want to come back out.

We walked along the shore from Ipanema to Copacabana to the Metro station, which turned out to be quite far, and took the metro to Maracana.  My friend Deborah, who just moved back to Rio recently, was waiting for us at the bottom of the bridge, dressed in the proud orange jersey of the football team (forgot the name of it) she supports.  We bought our tickets and went in with a bunch of fans.  It's interesting how the fans all sit in the upper level.  It's R$20 (i think...) to sit in the upper but just R$15 to sit in the lower level.  Deborah said hardcore fans usually sit upstairs.  Therefore they are more wild but it's also a more dangerous crowd (especially if they see that you are a tourist).  Lower level seat the richer locals as well we tourists.  We basically go in and just pick our own seats.  Everyone is so enthusiastic and there were always actions.  The passion of people makes the game 10 times more interesting.

After the game we went back to Copacabana and Deborah took us to a restaurant by the beach where they serve Yves' favorite Picanha.  It's a tender brazillian cut of beef steak which I assure you after you've tried you won't like sirloin anymore.

It's great to see Deborah and we look forward to going hang gliding with her!!