The last few hours before leaving Toronto, were stressful. We attended to all our last minute chores on Thursday such as preparing the cars for a 4 month rest, cleaning out the fridge, and taking all our valuables to the saftey deposit box. Thursday evening we spent with our very good friends Pat and Richard who have graciously committed to looking after Chloe, our cat. Friday, we were off. Had a smooth journey to Atlanta (with Delta airlines)where we were delayed about 2 1/2 hours, still manging to leave about 10:40 p.m. and arriving in Rio at 11:40 a.m. Rio time (they are 3 hours ahead of Toronto).
Now we are safely (or so we think) in Rio. What a city! Being /carnival - it heaves! We are staying in Lapa in the Centro district. In the 1920-1950s Lapa was a collection of beautifully architectured colonial buildings which were romantically described by Rio artists. Then, up to about 10 years ago, it became dangerous and terrifying and inhabited by prostitutes, thugs, and drug addicts. It still feels a little "edgy", but is undergoing a restoration (althought the prostitutes are still alive and looking for business) and is once again full of night clubs and townhouses throbbing with the sound of Samba. During Carnival, it is hard to walk the streets. The restaurants have old buses/trucks stationed outside their buildings which are loaded with live bands, and the beat of the music reverberates thoughout the streets as an eclectic crowd, of mainly locals, and some tourists, gather to sway and dance in the streets to the sound of the samba music. Tonight......Sambodrome!
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