Photo of the day: 10th April 2014
As the sun sets, the smell from the jasmine flowers is wonderful.
Comida di Buteco 2014 is nearly here!
If you like to eat, drink and have fun, Rio really is a great place to live. Sure it might not have the range of cuisines and night life of a cosmopolitan city like New York, nor the levels of culinary sophistication of a city like Paris, but what it lacks in those departments, it makes up in sheer gusto.
It’s only been a month since the excesses of carnaval died down, and already the spectre of the World Cup is looming (62 days and counting!). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – this Friday (11 April) sees the start of everyone’s favourite bar food competition – Comida di Buteco 2014!
Photo of the day: 9th April, 2014
This is on a side street in Catete. If you look carefully you can see that the light brown sections (eyes, mouth, etc) have actually been carved into the wall. Reminds me of that amazing work by Vhils next to Siqueira Campos mêtro station.
The Rio bus experience
Scream if you want to go faster! Image source
Well, I’m less than a week into my new life away from the daily grind and so far things are going well! I had been half expecting to have lots of free time now that my working day no longer involves spending 3-4 hours on public transport, however it’s amazing how quickly new tasks appear to fill the space. Not that I’m complaining you understand – right now, being busy is a very good sign!
But speaking of public transport, some of you may remember a post I wrote last year “Rio buses: Accidents waiting to happen” – it was the day after 7 people had died in a bus crash, so you can imagine I was feeling pretty strongly about bus safety.
But as well as safety concerns, my everyday complaint about riding on buses in Rio relates to the style of driving. Corners are treated with utter contempt, with most drivers actually accelerating as if trying to throw as many passengers off balance. If a traffic light turns red up ahead, but the driver has a 20 metre gap before the car in front, the driver will accelerate hard, then slam on the brakes at the last moment. Everyone gets thrown around bus for no good reason!
Eat Rio Photo of the Day: 4th April 2014
I spotted this mannequin yesterday while I was wandering in Centro (downtown Rio). I’m not sure if it shows, but that is one enormous shirt – “tamanho especial” (special size) indeed. And the store might be called ‘Ponto Masculino’, but I think the delicately made-up face of our oversized friend here tells a more conflicted story…