Rio here we come!

Our adventure on a new continent last already two weeks and we are still alive! But if you think we got accustomed, you are mistaken.

After an 11 hours flight and an almost lost backpack, you can imagine how overwhelming the first impressions have been for us, stepping from the airplane straight into Rio de Janeiro, a vibrant metropolis with 7.5 million inhabitants.

Here in Brazil everything is bigger. Some more examples?

• Its territory could contain Germany for 16 times.
• The first toad we have seen was bigger than Johanna’s hand. 
• A small beer measures 350ml, instead of 330ml.

We were lucky to meet Bruno, a real Carioca (that’s how Brazilians call a person from Rio de
Janeiro) who accepted our Couchsurfing request. He did not only invite us to stay with him and his family but also drove us around for hours, up the hills and down the hills, in his car with darkened windows. Noticing that most of the cars had them, we were wondering if that is because of the strong sunlight in summer. Bruno nodded first but then added, with a serious smile, that this is a safety feature as well: “In this way, they cannot see what you have inside and who you are”. We kept on talking about the high criminality rate, the poor neighbourhoods (the favelas) and the drugs business, all serious issues in the city. 

Without him, it wouldn’t been possible to visit so many places in such a short time and to get an insight of the daily life of Cariocas.

Despite all, if we would need to define the city in three words, we could say: colourful, green and breathtaking.

It’s unbelievable how many graffiti and murals you can find down the streets, drawn on every single wall, on abandoned cars and even on wrecked ships, dressing up the city like colourful rainbows.

Having a forest on the hills and mountains around, makes it easy to define Rio a green city. The Parque Nacional da Tijuca, marking the periphery of Mata Atlântica, the Atlantic Rainforest, has been reforested (after its destruction to grow coffee plants) and functions now again as the green lung of the city with its picnic spots and hiking trails. But it’s not only this: Rio has so many parks, natural areas and avenues with endless palm tree lines where people can walk and enjoy their neighbourhoods (trying to avoid the massive traffic).

Speaking of hills and mountains, you cannot say that you have been to Rio if you haven’t seen it from top. It sounds pretty obvious but it will be the best part of your trip (after the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema probably). Vista Chinese, Mesa do Imperador and many others breathtaking spots can be easily reached and are great for a stunning view over the ocean, the harbour and until the end of the horizon.

For fellow “low-budget travellers” like us, we suggest to reach the viewpoint of Santa Teresa by bonde, Rio's last remaining electric tram. It will be cheaper than the Sugar Loaf (although not so high) and totally worth it: the tiny neighbourhood is another picturesque pearl of Rio. Don’t miss Parque das Ruínas, an attractive park and cultural centre recovered from the ruins of an old mansion, with art installation for free, a delicious coffee and an incredible view.

These has been the first three days in South America, a really good start! But the next destination is already waiting for us: a farm northeast of Rio, close to a town called Silva Jardim, where we are going to volunteer.

After some city vibes, it’s finally time to go back to nature and to sweat on the fields...

See you soon and Risk Curiosity!