Friday, July 17, 2009
Landing in Rio
I'll never forget the first time I flew into Galeao Intl Airport in Rio. The approach was dramatic seeing Guanabara Bay and the Christ the Redeemer statue out of my plane window. I had learned Spanish living a few years in Spain and my Portuguese was fairly practiced from spending a few months in Portugal and learning the translations of lyrics to dozens of my favorite bossa novas. I made my way downtown on a wild and crazy, black-smoke-belching bus trip and I was home. Later that day I found a small, family-run hotel in the quiet Gloria section of Rio, right next to the subway stop. My first order of business was to find an entertainment newspaper and see who was performing at nearby music venues. I had a whole year to find my way in Brazil. Fantastico!
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Great recollection of your Rio trip! I too have visited Rio, and took one of those hold-on-for-your-life city buses which barrelled down the busy streets. One bus I was on actually slammed into the back of a car because it didn't stop in time. The driver of the car got out, and the bus driver got off, and to my amazement they started throwing punches. That's when I got off the bus and tried to find alternate transportation. Luckily, my sister who speaks Portuguese was with me. You haven't experienced Rio until you ride their buses!!
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