The Grande Finale: Carnival in Rio!

Letting you all know, I have officially written off the carla_martino@yahoo.com email address. I will probably never regain access into it so please just use this new one now: carlamartino2003@yahoo.com.

This will be my last email before I head back to Boston! I can´t believe my world travel adventure has come to an end. What an end it was though! I think I last told you about my Amazon trip and hitching a ride to Argentina with two Brazilians. I didn´t do too much in Salta, slept, did laundry, went to the movies, and met Ryan, an Aussie who needed a place to stay in Rio. I told him to join us as we had space and then I went on from Salta to Puerto Iguazu, where the famous waterfalls are. They make Niagra Falls look like child´s play. I hiked all around the falls on the Argentina side with two new friends, Sam (Frenchie) and Karl (another bloody Brit). We found a swimming pool at the base of one fall in the middle of the jungle and went swimming. Sam told us about it as his friend had discovered it earlier as he came across a playboy shooting there. The water fall cascaded down on rocks, perfect place to photograph naked women. I didn´t offer to re-create the scene for them, however. I do have some boundaries!

After czeching out the Argentina side, I took a bus over to the Brazilian side of the falls and stayed at the best hostel I have ever seen. It even beat out the ones I saw in New Zealand! It had a pool, hammocks galore, game room, free internet, laundry, free breakfast, and a bar with a TV. There was a soccer field too, of course and I watched the boys all play a match in their bare feet. Brazilians play barefoot here.

Off to Rio after the falls. I met up with many hashers from Boston, Hugh, Jen, Dick, Austin, Todd, and Alison, of course! She and I reunited after going our separate ways in Equador. We had lots of stories to share with eachother. Hugh had rented 2 apartments so I recruited a few of my travel friends to join us. Made everything much cheaper and much more fun! Thanks Ryan, Karl, Dave, and Charlie for joining us! Karl, Dave and Charlie, see you in London, eh???

Rio was much more beautiful and a lot safer than everyone warned me about. Saw nothing of any riots that were reported to me. Saw no crimes or muggings, and the local Brazilian people are just as friendly and helpful as the rest of the people in South America. Hugh, Alison and I got to march in the samba parade Monday night with a samba school. Our costumes were so pink and had heaps of feathers. We had to dance and pretend to sing a song in Portugese and smile and stay in line. It was so easy! Our school came in second so Alison and I are going to march again this Saturday.

We also went on a run with the Rio hash. They took us everywhere thorough the city and I had so much fun talking with the hashers of Rio. I would do a write up but I think Hugh is going to take care of that. Thanks Sarah and Caroline! You both made me feel so welcome!

I also czeched out a Carnival Ball. The band was phenomenal and the costumes were amazing. Everything you imagine of the women is true. Too bad I didn´t bring my camera with me that night. The street parties were a blast. All the Brazilians were dancing and singing the samba school songs. The two most important prides of Brazil is their soccer team and their samba schools. It was just incredible to take in the love of the culture here.

I´m hanging around in Rio until I head back to Boston in 2 days time. The beaches are beautiful and I need to work on my Brazilian tan. I am also going to go see the Brazilain soccer team play this Saturday!

Looking forward to being back in Boston soon. I am ready to hang up my backpack for a spell. Just to tell the rest of you, since I haven´t told everyone yet, I am going to move to England this summer for 6 months, to work and try my hand at English nursing. I´ve gotten an offer I cannot refuse, after all...

Life is an ongoing adventure. Carpe Diem! See my Bostonian friends and family soon!

Love, Carla