Rock in Rio

Sometimes you make impulsive decisions that are good, sometimes they are bad. I saw that Justin Timberlake and Alicia Keys were coming to Rio for Rock in Rio and I impulsively bought a ticket. I did not know anyone who was going, I didn't know how I was going to get there or how I was going to get home. I didn't think about it, I just bought the ticket and I figured out the rest later. (This is what you need to do. Just buy your ticket to Rio and figure out the rest of it later). Why not, the season has not started yet, why shouldn't I enjoy a bit of Rio.

Anyway, I found some people I knew who were going and I figured out my transportation: time to party! There was like a hundred thousand people there; it was crazy.

               


I knew I would be in a big crowd which always brings the danger of someone pickpocketing you. Though I would hope my size would intimidate anyone trying to steal from me, I still took precautions and hid my money and my phones. When I was on the bus heading towards Rock in Rio, I put my hand in my pocket to pull out my headphones, and realized I had accidentally brought this...

Yep, that is what it looks like. I brought a remote control to Rock in Rio. Maybe that it was a smart idea. A remote control in my pocket looks very similar to a phone so if someone did try to steal from me, they would be in for a bit of surprise! Imagine if you were pickpocketing someone and stole a remote control. What would you do? A part of me wanted someone to steal it from me to see what would happen haha. Ok back to the concert.

I was closer to the back of the concert for a couple of reasons. One, I'm very tall and I would block everyone behind me if I were too close. Even where I stood there was no one behind me for that very reason. Two, because I was with a big group and it would have been hard to get that many people close to the front. It was fine by me, I could see perfectly and I charged 20 reals for anyone who wanted to sit on my shoulders haha.

Ok. I raised my arms to take this pic
but my view was still pretty good!

I knew I liked Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake very much before the concert, but I didn't realize just how much until I was at the concert. I used all the extra space I had to sing at the top of my lungs and dance and flail my arms without a care in the world. Enjoyed Alicia so much I kept singing Girl on Fire as I moved to and from the bathroom; the people who heard me got a good laugh out of that. Fortunately or unfortunately there is no footage of my singing. I had a lot of fun and I'm glad I went. I will be on the lookout for any more artists that I like who are coming to Rio!

I was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to Iguazu Falls. I had gotten so accustomed to Rio's weather that I forgot to check the forecast and I didn't bring a jacket. Big mistake; it is still winter in Brazil! Anyway, the waterfalls were absolutely amazing and they should be on everyone's bucket list. Here are a few pictures.

 

First Time for Me

...It had gotten to the point where it was the only thing on my mind. My senses were heightened. I was ready to jump at moment's notice. I could see it, I could smell it, I could even taste it. I rocked back and forth anxiously waiting until she came behind us and said those words that I was dying to hear, "Ok guys, time to eat!" I was like this. That's not an exaggeration, it was literally how fast I moved.

We arrived to area where the food was and, to my dismay, I saw that the plates were smaller than the size of my hand. "No matter, I will just keep going back until I am full!"I thought to myself. But just as I finished my first plate my bliss had come to an end when someone said, "This food isn't for us, ours is in another location." Ok, I thought, as long as there was more food to come I will be fine. However, being the wise, eating veteran that I am, I put some food in my pocket before I left. Good thing too because we didn't eat again until halftime!...

Yeah so this post is supposed to be about my first soccer game experience, but I decided to start with the most memorable moment for me :)

I was invited to watch Flamengo's soccer team play on Wednesday against Vítoria in the new soccer stadium Maracana. The stadium is beautiful and I got a chance to go on the field and walk around in the dugout before the game. We watched the game from the presidents box; I felt like a big shot haha.












I will admit, I am not the biggest soccer fan in the world, but I do enjoy the big games. I never played soccer growing up, so all I know I learned from playing FIFA; I played it a lot so I do know a thing or two haha. During the game there were a couple of times that I did not understand what happened, but for the most part I understood it and I enjoyed it. We won that game 2-1! I guess I brought the team some good luck.

I almost forgot, I got interviewed before and after the game in Portuguese and I was able to understand most of it. I had to respond in English but at least I know I'm making progress. The goal of doing interviews completely in Portuguese by January still stands!

Chillin in the dugout

I hope all of these people like
basketball too! haha

It had rained during the game, but I was under a cover so it did not bother me. When I arrived home, however, I realized just how much it had rained. The streets were flooded like they had been in Rio Tercero (for those of you who have followed my blog from the beginning). Luckily I was able to take the subway and I arrived near my hotel so I stayed dry. All in all I had a great day!

I couldn't even cross the street to get my Açai!!!!

Patiently Waiting

I've had a blast here in Rio my first three weeks, but I'm starting to get very anxious to start playing basketball. I didn't come here to be a tourist; I came to play and win. I've been working while I've been here I'm ready to hit the court with the whole team and play some games.

I haven't moved into my apartment yet, which means I've had to eat at restaurants all the time. That's fine with me, the only problem I've run in to is using the bathroom in public. For some reason bathrooms in Brazilian restaurants are sometimes very very small--like airplane small. The sink is sometimes outside the bathroom completely and the toilet is in a narrow room with a door. Anyone who has seen me in-person knows that I have pretty broad shoulders, so these narrow bathrooms are a problem. One time I went into a bathroom that was so narrow I had to turn sideways to get in. However, once in I couldn't turn back towards the toilet. I really had to use the bathroom and I could not wait to go back to my hotel...so I aimed sideways. 

What was I supposed to do?

In other news, I've had a couple caiprinhas since I've been here because people told me they were soooo good. Eh. I wasn't a huge fan. However, I was invited to a favela with a friend where I tried a caiprinha that was made with some TLC (tender love and care). Absolutely amazing. Sometimes you have to dig deep to find the real treasure. 

I'll return to what I did in the favela, but first I want to talk about the fruit that they have here in Brazil. Usually I drink water (without gas) whenever I go anywhere, but with all the exotic fruits that are available to me, that may have to change. A lot of them I've never had before coming here and I don't know what all of them are called but they are very good. I had seen people eating one fruit called açai all the time but I never tried any...until today. It was a life changing experience. I'll probably eat it everyday from now on. It was the best fruit I've ever had. Apparently it's good for you too, which is good because even if it wasn't I would eat it anyway :)

Back to the favela. I didn't go there to drink caiprinhas, I went to listen to some classical Samba music. I love Samba music. I love it because it just makes you move your body. With all of the percussion playing together, you just can't help but to dance a little. I've tried to pick up on the Samba "dance", but I have noticed people doing many different things. I think its just meant for you to dance and have fun. Here is a video from where I was.

I don't know what they're singing but I like it. I've also been to other samba clubs,w but people say I also need to go to a place that plays Funk. I'm looking forward to it, and maybe it will inspire another blog haha.