Entries by tomlemes

Melzinho!

Are you going on a long car journey anytime soon? When I was a kid it felt like we were always going on mammoth long car trips. My sister and I would be packed into the back seats of the car along with duvets, pillows, suitcases, camping gear and all kinds of other bits and […]

What’s wrong with favelas?

I first became aware of the word “favela” when I was 12 or 13 – we watched a video in geography class about São Paulo. I don’t remember much about the video itself, but the word stuck in my head and 20 (ish) years later I find myself living right next to one. Favelas are […]

Gentileza Gera Gentileza

When I was a kid growing up in Winchester, there was an eccentric fellow named Ron who would wander the streets pushing a pram full of bits of junk. He was a weird guy – he often seemed to mutter to himself through his unruly beard and as he passed he would often let out […]

The challenging sound of Funk Carioca

I can’t speak for the whole of Rio, but if you live in or around my neighbourhood, you can’t have missed a distinctive new sound during the last month or two. The sound I’m talking about is a Funk Carioca (AKA Baile Funk) track called Fala Mal De Mim. I guess the literal translation would be […]

Popcorning!

Some time ago Mrs EatRio and I were cooking up something delicious in the kitchen (prawn and lemon risotto since you ask). As I was getting the drinks I said “Would you mind spooning the risotto out into those those bowls?” Her reply surprised me. Instead of the usual “Yes chef!” that I expect and […]