RIO REDUX

December 16 to 21.

After Iguacu, we returned to Rio for 5 days to recuperate from all our running around to fabulous news....Barb's lost luggage was found. Luckily, the baggage claim office was not far from the Debret so we walked over and claimed it.

Barb made arrangements for a tour to the jewellry factory of H. Stern. They have an intense sales programme which includes picking up tourists at their hotel and taking them to the Stern Factory and Sales Floor. Lynne left Barb with a charming salesman but she is sales-proof. Both of us toured the museum and private collection of H. Stern's toramaline gemstones.

When inquiring about bus routes, they kindly arranged for the Stern van to drop us off acrosssthe city at the CARMEN MIRANDA MUSEUM.

It is a small museum and houses pictures, clothing, jewellery, hats and those fabulous platform shoes that are back in style. They also have a small viewing area where Carmen's movies are on a continuus loop. How many of you remember this lady who we just found out was originally from Portugal not Brazil!

We woke up one morning to clear sunny skies (the first in 2 weeks!) and rushed to the beach for a sun burn..Yeah for us. Some of the police boats, helicopters and water bombers were out practicing for what we believe are New Year's Eve festivities.

Other than the factory tour and the return buses from the museum and one large shopping centre, we are walking everywhere.

We discovered a couple of very nice places to eat. Like the cuccinas in Mexico, there are buffets all through Copacabana where they sell food by the 100 grams. Many are just regular buffets but some contain grills where you can also choose steak, chicken, seafood, etc. right off the grill. We discovered one that is spotlessly clean and with a very wide selection so we can try a teaspoon of a local dish to see if we like it. Our way of pretending we are being concerned over what and how much we are eating.

Brazilians are futebol crazy. One evening, our hotel filled up with dozens of people wearing red and black striped jersies. One man was walking around with a stuffed Tucan on his head. Turns out there was a final game to determine who would represent Brazil in the World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010. These people were Flamingo fans. The game was held on a Sunday and as we walked by a local bar, we noticed about 100 people standing in the street staring at a wall mounted TV in a local bar. The Flamingos won and the fans went nuts....firecrackers, group hugs in the middle of the street etc.

There are some things you should definitely know if you travel in South America. Society is organized so that there is a little job for everyone. This means that little conveniences that we take for granted are not available and they can drive you crazy! Even so, things are pretty technologically savy. For example, in our hotel in Iguacu, the lights, A/C and TV could be controlled by buttons on the telephone.

1. Bring an emersion rod or travel sized coffee/tea maker with you. Even if you stay in a 5 star hotel, there will be no coffee maker in your room.
2. Bring a travel iron. The hotels hire people to work in a laundry so will not provide an iron.
3. Bring an electrical adapter.
4. We hate to say it, but bring instant coffee.
5. Bring kleenex.
6. There is often no toaster and there is always cake for breakfast.
7. Tea here is most often herbal so if you want regular tea, pack tea bags.
8. Do not expect people to speak English outside tourist facilities. Make an effort to learn some common courtesies in the local language. This and sign language goes a long way. Not to mention a smile and some patience.


9. Adjust your budget to purchase lots of drinking water. The water is safe for bathing and brushing your teeth but NOT for drinking. It is hot and you will drink lots.


10. The plumbing systems in Central and South America are not as accommodating as we are used to and do not generally accept toilet paper as a desposit!

We ended this round of "Rio days" with a fabulous brunch at the Marriott which included all the water and champagne we could drink. And we polished off at least one bottle of the bubbly.

We are so looking forward to the resort of Buzios.