6/5 – Portuguese challenge and 20 years of artwork.

If you’ve ever seen Inglourious Basterds, with Brad Pitt among others, and remember the named actor’s excellent pronunciation of the Italian Arrivederci, then you know what the r’s in Paraná sound like. The first thing that crossed my mind when I spoke to the first person down in Londrina, was that perhaps he was not a native Brazilian, sounds a bit American to it all… But when person number two, and three and four and all of them were hiding their r’s in the back of their mouths I realised that it was the way it should be there. Fine, no problem, can easily adapt to that one. As well as the kissing on the cheeks, only one in Paraná and São Paulo apparently, just Rio who likes to double them. Lots of kissing to keep in mind now, one or two, in the air or actually on the cheek, kisses only or kiss and hug, Holland is still in the lead with three of them I guess, but nothing beats a good old Scandinavian hug.

Also found out about this place called Brotas, apparently the adventure capital of Brazil, for Brazilians at least. River rafting, hiking, canyoning, climbing, biking, you name it. The whole town lives for outdoor activities. So now I need to figure out how to fit a trip with some adventure sports in as well before I leave.

Most of the tourist books mention the Escadaria Selarón as a must to have a look at when you’re in Rio. Funny enough not many Cariocas seem to know about it. Since I had a spare afternoon during the long weekend a while back I thought I should check it out. And it definitely turned out to be worthwhile.
The Chilean Jorge Selarón has been decorating these sets of stairs in the centre of Rio, with tiles and mosaic all over, for the last 20 years. Looks nothing special at all from the top of the stairs, with only the concrete steps visible, but from below, and along the sides – very pretty indeed. The story goes that if you bring him a new tile, he’ll make sure to put it somewhere on the stairs, or replace an old one for it. The day I was there he was busy making a portrait of a girl sitting in the middle of the stairs though, so no tile works that Saturday.
Not many items left on the traditional Rio Tourist check list now, most main attractions experienced in one way or another. Corcovado seems to be a tough one though. After all the rain in the beginning of the month, the access up to the gigantic monument is closed, even for the train. Someone said that this is the first time ever in O Cristo Redentor’s 80 years on that mountain, where the access has been totally closed. It should still be possible to do the hike up so that’s hopefully a future mission for a weekend morning. Or was it Brotas I was going to aim for…or kitesurfing? One thing is for sure though; this weekend Praia do Flamengo is the place to be with the Red Bull Airshow on. Sun bathing chair, chilly bin with drinks, sunglasses, earplugs and iPod to get some film shots. Anyone got a pair of binoculars to lend me? Vrooooom!