Botafogo is Easy
We made it! Good show simeon and herczeg. It only took a quick stop over in Sao Paulo. United forgot to mention this connection. The flight from IAD was 9.5 hours and we spent 2.5 hours in Sao Paulo. Then A 33 minute flight to Rio!!! A few funny things happened en route. Frist, I spelled Mark's name wrong when I purchased the tickets. I remember shaking at my desk last spring. I am suprised I spelled my name right. Besides that, I spilled water all over him about 3 hours into the flight to Sao Paulo. Good times for me at least.
We are checked into the Botafogo Easy Hostel. This place is sweet. It has a small pool, a patio, lounge, Internet, and nice rooms!!! Talked to a few people, but Evito at the front desk has been most helpful. Looks like a good pick. We have already met up with Herb. He found us at the hostel. He seems real chill, and has already been getting crazy till sunrise. I can't wait. Its raining now, but just showers. Tomorrow, the sun is suppose to come out for excellent beach weather. Perfect.
The city itself is like nothing I have experienced. The ride from the airport found us traveling through favelas. All the eye can see was brick buildings built on top of each other. Its such an amazing and yet depressing sight. Intermingled with the houses were numerous soccer fields. Kids playing soccer everywhere! Herczeg calls this place "Mecca." Once we passed through a tunnel into Centro, the quality of urban life increased. Still, the city is so different from any I have seen. It has a bustling feel with hints of Mediterranean architecture. Most of the buildings are not new so, the city has a worn look to it. Very interesting. We still need to venture toward Copacabana and Ipanema. More then likely, we shall do that this evening. Herb is staying that way. I can't wait to continue to see what this place Rio has to offer. Hi from the southern hemisphere say Simeon, Mark, and Herb!!!
