Great Articles on Travel in Rio!!!

[Lola]

Hey All,
Mathew Polly, an award winning travel writer, did a really informative and entertaining series of 5 articles for Slate Magazine ( www.slate.com ) titled, "Caipirinha Nights:An American In Rio." They are all worth reading (I highly recommend reading them all, and in order, as they get increasingly more entertaining), and there is a great photographic slideshow as well.

The first article, titled "Looking Down on Rio" (http://www.slate.com/id/2147712/entry/2147708/), discusses his embarassing realization that yes, American's must apply for visas to Brazil ahead of time, as well as a tour of some of Rio's top tourist destinations.

The second article, "Wait Till Next Time" (http://www.slate.com/id/2147712/entry/2147709/), talks about Brazilian soccer, or futebol, and recounts his experiences in Rio watching the Brazilian selection play and lose a World Cup game.

The third article, "Miscegenation Gone Wild" (http://www.slate.com/id/2147712/entry/2147710/), provides an interesting look at sex and it's role in Brazilian society.

The fourth article, "Favela Tourism" (http://www.slate.com/id/2147712/entry/2147881/), recounts the author's experiences on his tour of a Rio favela.

The fifth article, "Shall we Dance" (http://www.slate.com/id/2147712/entry/2147970/), investigates dancing and martial arts in Brazil, with some hilarious comentaries on the author's own attempts to participate. My favorite quote is:

"Samba is built on a quick three-step shuffle. I counted along with the good professor and was fine as long as I looked at him. A glance at myself in the mirror was cause for horror, however. Rodrigo's body was loose, his center of gravity low, he shuffled on the back of his feet. He was dancing from a spot far lower than the heart—what the Hindus refer to as the second chakra. In contrast, as I stepped on the balls of the feet, head forward, my arms plastered against my side, I looked like Michael Flatley's untalented younger brother after a four-day caipirinha bender—the Dissolute Lord of the Samba." - Mathew Polly, Shall We Dance

ENJOY!

[joe]

Thanks for those links, Lola. I'll definitely check them out when I get the time. I had a friend who was recently in Rio for a week; I'll make sure he sees these as well.

[Richard Leon]

Hello all,

I went to Rio and Bahia 2 years ago and just loved it. The dressing was very informal, very very informal furing the day and in the beaches. Basically Tshirts dont exist. For evening party scenes you will find it all in Rio, from very fashion night clubs to bohemian bars where sandals is the call.

Brazil is so cool that you can do and dress however you want.

Enjoy