No Better Place to Vacation!

When I think of beaches, there are so many choices around the world. But when I think of real vacations, well, I want a places with more than just nice beaches. I want a place that has culture, music, food, mystery and more. That is why I think Rio de Janeiro is just about the perfect place for a vacation. It has all of those things and more! The topography of the land as seen from Corcovado (the Christ statue) is key to understanding how beautiful and diverse this city is. From the beaches to the mountains above, from the restaurants to the clubs, from the beautiful bodies and faces to the energy of the city itself, this is one place that never gets old. Antonio Carlos Jobim, who co-wrote the song, "Girl From Ipanema" said, "There are two kinds of people in the world, those who have been to Rio de Janeiro, and those who haven't!" I know exactly what he meant, and tell my clients that once you go there, you are never the same afterwards!

Tension on the Beach

I have a friend who goes to Rio once a year and spends a month there. He is married to a Brazilian and speaks Portuguese. They always hang out around Posto 9 in Ipanema. He told me that recently he was there on the beach and there was a local who was selling henna tatoos. When approached, a girl he knows asked my friend to inquire the price. "15 reais" said the salesman. The girl asked my friend to see if he would accept a lower price. When he did, the salesman became angry and began shouting at my friend that he was interrupting the sale. Tensions escalated and the guy said he was going to get some guys and come back to get my friend. A local guy my friend knows told him he better be careful as the economy has caused friction in the populace and people don't have much patience. Sure enough, a group of guys came and luckily the local guy took charge and explained the girl only wanted a lower price. I told my friend that people are tense everywhere. Even you and I are tense, I said. You have to take a step back from every situation now. It is not worth risking violence.

Better Than Most During the Recession

When the economy started looking dire a little more than two years ago, I started to wonder how Brazil would fare if a recession hit. Because of the corruption and dependance on exportation, I was not sure. Now there are indications that Brazil will end up being one of the least affected nations if you consider it's size. The fact that Brazil is so rich in resources, not dependant on foreign oil, has mineral deposits and a good relation to most other nations has helped her escape the worst of things. I feel that maybe Brazil will become the "country of the future" that was always predicted, since it leads the way in alternative fuels and is very open minded about alternative technology

Some things change, some stay the same

I still read the Brazilian newspaper "O Globo" daily, even though I am not living in Rio at the moment. It seems to me that some things are changing there, as they are in the rest of the world, with technology and the economy at the forefront of the news, how can it not change? Brazil has one of the most resilient economies in the world right now, and suffered less with the recession than other countries. Still, the country is plagued by crime and ignorance. These things, especially in the larger cities, should be addressed violently so that Brazil can rise above the reputation and become the country of the future that everyone expects it to be.

Found: 1 Soul Mate

A client of mine, emailed me recently to tell me he was getting married. He had met a Brazilian girl out in California and decided to tie the knot. I was thrilled for him! We had dinner the last time we were both in Rio and he told my wife and I that he had met a girl and was in the infancy stages of falling in love. Seems it came to fruition. I told him that when you marry a foreigner you get not only a wife, but a culture. We are celebrating twenty years of marriage this year, I hope his lasts just as long.

Getting the Most out of Rio

The trip, the plans, the packing....it is all futile unless you really make the most of your time and money. Reading guidebooks (and blogs like this one) and talking to people about their experience is one way to do it, another is to write a script and stick to it, as much as possible. Everything depends on what your priorities are, but Rio de Janeiro has a wealth of things at your disposal. Whether it is the physical attractions such as beaches, gardens, forests or hills, or the plunge into food and festivities as far as bars, restaurants and nightclubs, a simple checklist will help you set your priorities and maximize your vacation.

Never Want to Leave

You know that feeling you get on vacation, after you have been somewhere a few days and realize what a paradise it is, you never want to leave. I have heard this from so many people while they were in Rio. I admit to saying it a few times myself. There is something here that is indescribable, something so special, you just don't want to let go of it. I have had people actually follow through on this, and eventually move here from their own country. But beware, things are different when you are on vacation versus day to day living. As I said in one of my posts from another blog, if you have enough money and the right infrastructure, it can be paradise, but if not, it is sometimes a big headache.