The first 24 hrs

I love Brazil. I'm just gonna get that out right away. Yes, I've obviously only been to Rio so far, but I love the chaos, the heat and the craziness. The city is a mix of taxi drivers that love to use their horn, apartments that are falling apart, brand new office blocks, French inspired architecture, dangerously tangled telephone wires, people sleeping on the streets, people talking on their iphones and millions of small street shops, all in one street. I've also realised that finding someone that speaks English (even when at an international airport, let alone taxi drivers) and hot showers are a luxury! But it's fantastic here. I get to spend time with friends I haven't seen in ages, and get to explore rio while doing it!

So what is the first thing you do when you get to Brazil? You find an Irish pub. Obviously. It was St. Patrick's day after all! Though it was basically a bunch of Brazilian people drinking green beer to any English song they could think of. Still a good laugh though! Although after an hour or so I felt my jet lag kick in properly, and I went straight to bed after the free caiprinhias from the hostel! (and a cold shower)

Today we got our first real impression of Rio though. I started the day on a high (literally) as I went hang gliding from a mountain by copacabana beach. It was just the right amount of scary for me, and obviously super cool! I got this amazing view over Rio, and it was so surreal to see how close the richest part of the city is to one of the largest favelas. (over 200, 000 people live in that one favela according to the taxi driver home. So basically as if the whole of Swansea would be living in an area the size of Brynmill) it's absolutely insane! The instructor also did some wicked manoeuvres while we were flying, which was possibly the coolest thing I've ever experienced!

After this I met Brenda and Bruno at the hostel, and we went to find the others who were doing some sort of free walking tour. We only joined them for the second half, but at least got to go to the selaron steps and got to eat some amazing Brazilian food. (because when I travel, the food is without a doubt the most important thing for me)

Anyways, it looks like we will be going back to Lapa tonight for a night out, but I am so shattered at the moment that I have no clue how I'm gonna survive! But I stacked up on Engov, and apparently that is supposed to save my life! (but I bought some paracetamol just in case)

Xxx