So I got all my stuff together for a month and left the next day for Rio. It was similar to packing for my month long romp around China last summer. The bag was a little heavier than last time because I brought extra shoes I think.

So I was sitting beside a really large man on the bus and I wasn't fitting in the seat very well . The man got up and left later, and I had the seat to myself. He gave me an extra blanket so I was warm all night. I drifted in and out of sleep and surprisingly found myself well rested when I arrived at the station.

I emailed matteus my host and he told me he would be at work until 5, so that's no problem. I went to see a famous church in the Gloria neighbourhood, then I went to ipanema beach. People were setting up for a wedding or something and there wasn't much to see. I bought some fruit at the big Friday market and a cold beer. I took a little nap on the sand and was constantly accosted by someone selling something. Not too fun, so I headed to copacabana where it got worse.

Soon it was time to meet matteus. I found his place no problem in the Tijuca neighbourhood. I helped him with his English homework and went to sleep.