A little bit of crazy on Rio !!

I left with the Irish guys on Thursday morning early and made our way by foot to the bus station. You pretty much have 3 choice of bus classes to choose from. The middle of the range is good enough with fully reclinable seats and plenty of leg room. The trip took about 6 hours. 6 hours being allot more comfortable then 6 hours on a plane.

The accomodation that I am at is in an area called Catete and is situated high up on hill. Buildings dating back to 150 years ago, small cobbled streets and local bars.

Only have 2 other guys staying in my room so finding it more comfortable then my previous hostel

A group of British volunteers are also at the hostel so have been partying with them most of the time. Volunteer work has consisted either of painting houses in the more remote slum areas or assisting in costume making for the Carnival parades.Im hoping to get a day assisting with the work possibly on Thursday.

Most restuarants have ´eat as much as you like´ specials ranging from pizza to the local meats and salad. Street stands are pretty much everywhere selling espatadas and huge brokwursts. Beer can be purchases on any street corners with even cerrtian stands offering different types of Caparinhas. These are the only 2 drinks I have had so far and seem to be the accepted drinks of prefrence.

Have experienced my first taste of Brazilian crime with my cell phone being stolen and being ripped off by a taxi driver at 6 am in the morning. To continue I was given a price of BR6 to get home by a taxi driver, after getting lost ( no fault of mine), we got back to the hostel. I gave him 20BR expecting change of which he felt that no change was needed. After arguing, shouting, swearing at him in Italian, threatening to report him and trying to smash his window with my hand, he sped off leaving me short changed. This I believe is a regular story with taxi drivers so have refused to use them unless in a big group. This has caused afew nights of endless walking being totally lost and dis orientated. All part of the fun I guess!!!

Currently parades, bloc parties, samba parties are held all through the day and night. I will attach some photos in my next posting.

Been struggling to get out the beaches, the popular being Copacabana and Impanema. Will get some beach photos soon.