Barra Da Tijuca

Its almost a week that I am "living" here, in Barra Da Tijuca on the surf strip Avenido Do Pepe and it has been quite an experience. Almost missed the plane from Houston to Rio, Arnold Schwarzenegger saved the plane for me when he and his cronies were heading for apparently a body-building contest in Copacabana! The Houston security crew was so impressed seeing the man from Graz that caused a delay enabling me to get the very close connection. Even my luggage made it!

The people in the office are very nice and I am trying hard to respond with a few Portuguese words, finally I am mastering Spanish quite a bit now its becoming Portuguese, nothing is easy nowadays.Sofar my place  seems to be right. Its less than a ten minute drive, a gorgeous view on beach and ocean, great running path in front of me, walking distance to bars and restaurant and a 10 minute drive to Sao Conrado and 15 min to Leblon and Ipanema. Although nobody understand and I don't get a lot of sympathy but these waves are very noisy and 24/7, no kidding! Of course assuming traffic is alright!
 
So far I learned that:

• Caiparinhas are such a great drink, but the quality various seriously
• Its beer over wine, because of the heat and prices
• The beach is the "thing" for Cariocas! Tanning, chilling and sports, its a real culture, its cheap and available for everyone
• Traffic is a mess, its very very busy and dense and I haven't discovered real respect of signs and rules
• People are friendly and a "smile" is a standard feature on the Brazilian face
• Boy its expensive here! Groceries, Restaurants you name it, I think its outrageous

The first week I hooked up a few times with Annette, a friend from Paris who lived here a long time ago, knows it really well and speaks fluent Portuguese which really helps! Dinner at the famous Garota Da Ipanema at a corner on Avenido Venicius de Moraes, the diplomat, poet and composer. The next day we went to an ideliic beach west of Barra called Praia do Grumari. This was breathtaking beautiful with massive and powerful waves.

Of course April 30 was for the Dutch a Big Day! Queen Beatrix abducated and Willem Alexander is now King of the Netherlands, this was celebrated in Holland and around the world thus also in Rio! The association of Dutch people in Rio organized a party at the Royal Tulip in Sao Conrado which used to be the Intercontinental, I was there in 1991 when a Bask friend was the GM! Of course everyone wore Orange and there was a nice supply Heineken, stukjes Kaas en Stroopwafels....but was it a great event....nah.



Do I look forward to discover more of Rio de Janeiro....absolutely!