Brazil 2012 Aug 27-Sept 7

Monday after the Convention we spent as tourists. Checking out Brazilian sites, meeting wonderful brothers and sisters. (See previous blog)

Jardim Botanica. Rio's beautiful Botanical Garden.

This was the same day as the amazing meeting with all the delegates. (See previous post)

This is the incredible couple that we met at the Social Gathering the night before. Ruby and Rimsky Johnston. We were wandering Ipanema and decided to grab a bite. Turns out we picked the restaurant that "The Girl from Ipanema" was written. Some of the best food we've eaten yet.

They bring a skillet with a chafing fuel thingy underneath it. The meat is slightly seared on the outside. Then as you start eating you cook the slices as you go. And cooked to perfection to each persons taste. Brilliant and delicious. It's accompanied by Greek rice, black beans that are incredibly flavored and fries.

Rio has art everywhere. This statue is at one end of Copacabana Beach.

Copacabana Beach. The water looks beautiful. But is PAINFULLY cold. Strangely their warmest water is right now during their winter. During summer their water becomes even colder. Not sure how that is possible. 

Sugar Loaf in the background

The graffiti is incredible here. Colorful and artistic.

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And then the other pictures. Haha. It's a needed sign. And yet it's not really listened to anyways.

We went to a show with these guys. Ruby, Rimsky and Joshua. But it was so stinking funny that we laughed the whole time instead. It was like a cruise ship entertainment show. Just horrible. But we loved every second with them.

These are delicious! Ice cold coconuts sold everywhere. The juice is wonderful! Perfect against the heat.

Copacabana Palace. You'd expect to see Trump laying out by the pool. Opulent.

Some of the food we are not trying in Brazil.

Rio is known for it's Favela communities. Shantytowns. They go up into the hills. Ironically they have the most beautiful views. We're hoping to go preaching in one of them while we're here.

Along the beaches and in parks there are free gyms and places to workout...

J jumps right in.

On Sundays one direction of the Main street of the Beach is shut down. Very cool. Lots of walkers, joggers, cyclists.

Arpoador Beach. A rocky point between Copacabana and Ipanema. It's a surfers dream. We watched the surfers dive off the rocks to get into the surf.

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Brazil 7th. Independence Day. Joshua's last day in Brazil. So sad. J and I have been sick the last 4 days with a bad head cold. It was really nice to get out. A couple of sisters took the three of us out to see some beaches.

One of them being Barra do Tijuca. Another side note: in Brazil, they pronounce their "R's" with an "H" sound. So Barra is really pronounced Baja. It's taking some getting used to. Hoping to feel better!!