A day at the beach
With temperatures in Rio getting over 40°C (104°F) in recent days, I’ve been spending as much time as possible at the beach. As a kid, I always felt that empty beaches were good – the emptier the better! However, during my time in Rio my attitude has changed a bit. I do still enjoy a nice deserted beach (more on this soon), but when I’m in the centre of Rio, I actually enjoy being around lots of people at the beach.
I always take my camera to the beach because there is almost always something photo-worthy going on. It might be some kids kicking a ball around, a vendor selling something interesting or someone just plain showing off!
I know that some of you in the northern hemisphere are suffering from extreme weather of a different kind right now, so I hope you take the following as a reminder of the sun, rather than gloating! Here’s to warmer times…
Copacabana on a hot, sunny, Saturday afternoon. Don’t expect to have a lot of space to yourself!
The beach isn’t about fun and relaxation for everyone. This catador wandered past me yesterday, half-buried under a mountain of empty cans.
In 40 degree heat, that is tough work…
The beautiful Ilhas Cagarras are clearly visible from Ipanema.
Ilhas Cagarras… sei.
They are beautiful aren’t they? (still talking about the islands obviously…) ;)
When I went to Rio in 2012 for Carnaval, my last full day there, my friend suggested I bug his brother and friends about going to the beach, as he had to work. We went to Leblon, and I could see why he wanted me to go the last day I was there, it was so relaxing, I never wanted to leave, and when we did, we walked to the metro station in Impanema(?). I was amazed at what seemed to be endless miles of beaches, and all the different activities people were doing. Several months after I got back, if something was stressing me out, I could just close my eyes, remember how relaxed I was, and the tension would pass.
Ah yes, it’s a great way to relax isn’t it? Even with all those people, I find it incredibly relaxing to sit back in a beach chair, read a book/magazine, go for a swim to cool off, sip a cold beer, take a little snooze, lovely! :)