RIO – Day 6 – 9

Spring time in Rio means clouds, wind and rain. A couple of days were really hot, over 95, last night was long sleeve shirt weather. I finally got out of Rio itself with a little side trip to Buzios. It is a three hour bus ride north and east of Rio. The bus ride costs all of 35 R roundtrip. Seeing the country side and how folks live in Brazil was quite interesting. The village of Buzio was once a sleepy little fishing village. Today it is a busy tourist mecca without the beggars, dirt, and homeless. Lots of good places to eat, clean beaches, and spartan accomodations at the local inns. It was well worth the time and energy to see something besides Rio. For mongering....take your own.
The number of mongers in town is increasing as we approach the Thanksgiving weekend. I have met several from the board that were only names and postings before. I must say, everyone from the board that I have met in person is, without exception, a gentleman and a monger. I won´t list the names to protect the guilty(and innocent), but it is nice to see fellow mongers in town.
Help was so crowded last night (Saturday) that I felt obligated to do my part and leave so there would be at least a couple of square feet for someone to move. I think it is the largest crowd I have ever seen inside. Outside was also crowded. Inside there were definitely more women than men, outside the reverse was true. Reminded me of the middle school parties were all the girls are on one side and the boys are on the other. I am sure a goodly number of the folks were able to pair off before the night was over.
Thursday was a holiday here, again. That translates to the downtown termas being closed. One hapless hombre went directly from the plane to 4X4, luggage in one hand, and I can guess what in the other hand. Not only was the placed closed, but they also had the steel door down. He commented that a tear did well up in his eye as he looked at the barrier between him and heaven on earth.
With the sun out today, the plan is to walk along Copa beach, camera ready, one eye watching for shit slingers, and time the trek to end at the Marriott around four to watch a couple of football games. Note: we are three hours ahead of Eastern time so the first game is at four. The second game should be over in time to grab something to eat, then try Help again. Sunday night should be a lot slower.
Life is just wonderful.

Grshel1 - Glad your having a good trip. I wish I could be with you guys. Tell Sweet, Thomas, Karl and Don I said hello. - Hemp

Grshel1,

It was fun hanging with you and others last night. See you next week.

Moondog

Hapless??? I resent that.

Aldaron,

You resent that ... or you resemble that. I did not mention a name. However, do I detect a feeling of guilt?

No problem. No guilt. I felt like Clark Griswald when he arrived at Wally World to find it closed.

OK....