seekingmygreaterperhaps

Oi gente! Tudo bem?

I am turning into a Brasiliera right before your eyes! I have a friend in Rio! I was able to spend the weekend and got to see a different side of Rio through a local’s eyes, and it was very fun! My friend lives in Flamengo, which is on the bay side of Rio. I flew in after work on Friday, we went and got pizza, and then rested for a day of adventure the next day!

First stop: a drive to Itacoatira Beach. I don’t have any pictures because I left my phone in the car. After getting my phone stolen in Quito, I didn’t want to take any chances. It was a beautiful beach! We walked along the sand and played in the water. I love playing in the water. I love swimming, I love the waves. I don’t love sand, but I guess that’s part of the beach.

After some fun in the sun, I drank coconut water straight from the coconut. Then we asked the guy to cut it open so we could eat the coconut fruit. Man, I love Brazil.

Afterwards, my friend took me to a new lookout point! It’s nice to know someone with a car, because there is no way I would’ve Ubered up there. The downside of blogging about this over a month after it happened… I cannot remember what this lookout is called. Sorry friends. Also, I forgot to pack my sunglasses, so in this picture I am trying very hard to keep my eyes open.

The other highlight of this trip is the mouthwatering açai. We went to Tacaca in the Flamengo area, and I would highly recommend it. I went back twice. Açai is quickly turning into my favorite food, and I am not mad about it.

On Sunday we rented bikes through Bike Itau, which are the orange bikes you will see all over the city. You need to download an app and then away you go. It is fairly easy to use, as long as you have cell service and your app is working. We went to a huge Sunday feria, which is like a farmers market, but on steroids. There were vendors and stalls for almost an entire city block. It was very cool, and very busy. (If you go, keep an eye on your belongings.)

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the epic lunch we had at “Bar do Peixe” in Lapa. It is about as authentic as you can get. The fish platters are huge, and easily fed 2 of us (with a bunch of leftovers). You walk up and the tables are located in the street, but this is truly a Carioca way. Definitely stop there if you plan on seeing “the” steps in Lapa, or just want an excellent meal.

Next up, we ended up behind Palácio do Catete, in this beautiful green space. I taught my friend how to whistle with a grass leaf, and we laid in the grass looking up at the tall palm trees. Our bike ride then led us to the Mureta de Ursa for the sunset. According to my Carioca friend, the sun sets when it goes behind Cristo. (A Carioca is someone who is from Rio de Janeiro.) While at the Mureta de Ursa, there are a couple odegas open who sell beer. That’s the best way to do it, grab a cheap beer, sit along the wall, and chat.

On Monday, my friend had to work, so I did my long run along the bay (to train for my Ironman 70.3), then had lunch and took a nap in the hammock. In the afternoon, I went to the Royal Portuguese Reading Room. It is a book nerd’s paradise and so beautiful. With a free entry, you walk in and are surrounded by the smell of old books, dimly light through a stained glass window. There isn’t a whole lot to see there, but it is a cool stop. In the area there are a bunch of used book stores too. If only my Portuguese was fluent enough to enjoy them. Not now, but someday!

Rio is quickly turning into one of my favorite cities. I am glad it is so close, and I am sure I will be back sooner rather than later!