Brazil Summary

We flew to Brazil from Lima on Varig Airlines.  We stayed at the Windsor Palace Hotel two blocks off Copacabana Beach, which despite its fame is quite seedy.  Due to some confusion, we had only one room with three small beds, so we moved them all together, and tied the legs with luggage straps.  The drinks and snacks in the mini bar, called the Frigobar, were very cheap, so the girls drank soda….a treat, and ate paprika flavored Pringles.  Tourist sight visited: Sugar Loaf Mountain, of course Copacabana Beach, the huge statue of Jesus Christ, called “Christo Redentor,” and the Rio Catholic Cathedral, a modern concrete monstrosity with the most beautiful stained glass windows.  Katie felt a bit under the weather one afternoon so we hung out at the hotel and she watched Nickelodeon in Portuguese.  We relied on taxis and the subway to get around.  Rio has a efficient subway system and the food was delicious, especially the steak.

Kona Moment:  A beautiful yellow and red feather cape and headdress presented to Brazilian Emperor don Pedro by King Kamehameha.  The Bishop Museum would love to have this one.

Starbucks:  No, but great local coffee, served black with heated milk on the side.

Weird McDonalds Menu Item:  Guava Jello included as treat in Happy Meals.  Many McDonalds also had Internet access, called McInternet.

Cultural Moment:  The tame cats and kittens we enjoyed living outdoors around the museums and dilapidated mansions of Santa Teresa.