My time in Rio was filled with beaches, healthy food, walking around, and sweating. I found the people friendly and fun and thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I stayed in the Botafogo neighborhood from January 21st to February 18th.

Random Metrics

Gym: 5/5
* Bodytech, 3 stories with a swimming pool, very clean and nice staff.
Zumba: 5/5
* Lucas dance leader, classes Tues/Thurs at Bodytech. He was high energy and fun, lots of twerking!
Haircut: 5/5
* Barbearia do Zé. Cheap, good, quick. Some trouble translating but google translate and another employee got things going.
Movie Theater: N/A
Grocery Store: 5/5
* Supermercado Zona Sul, amazing. Tons of cheap produce, great deli, pre-made pizzas, protein supplements.

Random Notes

• “Carioca” is a person who is born in Rio de Janeiro.
• “kkkkk” is Portuguese laughing in text, like “haha” in English or “jaja” in Spanish.
• The subway has women-only cars, you will be kicked off by security if you are a clueless gringo and accidentally get in one. 😅
• People like to be clean! Common to take 2+ showers a day and the cleaning supply isles in the grocery stores are HUGE.
• These people are healthy and fit. There is cheap, fresh produce everywhere. Protein bars and supplements in every corner store.
• Exchange rate is about 1 USD -> 5 BRL (Brazilian real). Take a decimal point off and double to easily get USD prices. 342 BRL = 34 x 2 = ~68 USD
• Customary to not touch your food when eating. Napkins, toothpicks, and utensils are used to hold food.
• Punctuality doesn’t seem to be too important. If a workout class starts at 9, it’s really like 915. If a technician says they will be at your place to fix the Internet at 1, it’s more like 3.
• Self service laundey places accept card, have WiFi, and detergent is already included in the wash cycles.
• Dress is super casual everywhere: flip flops, shirtless, short shorts, make yourself comfortable.
• Futevôlei commonly played at the beach, volleyball with no hands allowed. Think soccer meets volleyball.
• Beach merchants sell cheese on a stick, covered in herbs, cooked in a portable oven. Beach cheese is delicious.
• Mate here is much better than in Argentina. 😜
• The main Samba competition for Carnival is a big deal. Lots of money, sponsorships, and effort involved. Thousands of dancers in one “school”. They get 45-55 minutes to woo the judges, with criteria from gaps between the groups to how much they rile up the audience.

Random Photos