Things to Bring to Rio

When Europeans and North Americans are vacationing, Rio appears to be an inexpensive tropical playground. Accommodation can be as low as R$30 a night, a can of Antarctica beer is R$2.50 and is number 1 the entertaining beaches are free. Unfortunately after a few weeks, tourists slowly begin to realize that Rio de Janeiro is the second most expensive city in South America (Sao Paolo is the most expensive).

We have compiled a cost-reducing list that will hopefully aid you for your extended stay in the Cidade Maravilhosa, Marvelous City.

MUST BRING:

●     Sweater and/or jacket
●     Umbrella
●     GSM mobile phone (so you can call your new friends)
●     A ceramic tile from your city/country for Selarón

INEXPENSIVE

●     Food (from the grocery store or from the “farmers markets/feira livre” which are held various days in all Rio neighborhoods)
●     Personal Care Services...haircuts, manicures, aesthetic services (make it even more affordable by going to a beauty school; there are several in Copacabana and Ipanema )
●     Clothing (From  the Uruguaiana market and the Ipanema Hippie Fair)
●     Prescription and “over the counter” medication
●     Cultural activities: museums, theatre, dance performances. (We’ve made a LIST of free or nearly free spaces to see amazing shows and performances.)
●     Transportation: bus, metro and taxi.  (If it’s daytime, try walking instead of taking the bus; you will discover more of gorgeous Rio de Janeiro, save money AND stay beachbody fit.)
●     Casa do Caminho Language Center
●     Housekeeper (if you are coming to Rio with your family or children a full time housekeeper is very affordable)
●     Mini-excursions (Buses to Petropolis, Ilha Grande, Sao Paolo)

EXPENSIVE

●     Electronics!!! (Bring backup memory cards, chargers, adapters, shavers etc.)
●     Herbal medicine/vitamins
●     Make-up (Loreal & Maybelline are 2.5x more expensive here - bring that mascara!)
●     PLACING cell phone calls (The Brasilian cell phone companies are TIM, Claro, Oi and Vivo - they all offer pay as you go plans. Shortly after topping up, you will quickly notice that your phone credit is going, going, GONE. Tip: its cheaper if you only call people within your carrier, or play it safe...try to just send text messages...also, receiving phone calls is free.)
●     Tampons
●     Boxer shorts
●     Books in English (if you don’t have a Kindle or Ipad, books in English are pretty tough to come by. Stock up on the paperbacks. If you do have a portable device do the reading in your room, NOT on the beach)
●     Nightclub entrance fees (can range from R$15 to R$60)
●     Sheets/blankets

Hopefully this list will help your decision-making. Best advice we can give you is...if you can’t imagine your daily routine without it, bring it! You may look strange at the airport with your giant container of protein shake powder and yoga mat, but you AND your wallet will feel better about packing  it in the long-run.

In addition to what you may need for yourself, consider bringing a few things that would help the Casa Do Caminho Child Centres tremendously.

○     Hair clippers
○     Radio with a CD
○     Camera
○     Black pencils 6B
○     Colored Markers
○     Books with games
○     Monopoly game
○     Checkers
○     Masking Tape
○     Large & Small Scissors
○     Jewelry making supplies
○     Alcohol gel and antibacterial wipes
○     Small & Medium socks
○     Small & Medium underpants for boys & girls
○     Bras for adolescents (S & M)
○     White school shirts
○     Bath & face towels
○     Rain caps
○     Umbrellas
○     Trousers size 36 to 42
○     Tennis shoes (Sneakers)
○     Just above the knee short
○     Capoeira pants
○     30 pairs of flip flops size 30 to 42

Sou praieira!

Quero mais o quê?

One of my favourite things to do in Rio is to spend time at the beach - taking in the beautiful scenery at Posto 9, playing frescobol or beachvolley, having a laugh at some men in their sungas, admiring others, and envying the gorgeous Carioca women in their tiny "Biquini tomara-que-caia" (Bikini "I hope it falls!"). The beach is the place Cariocas go to be seen, to love, play and frolic, and to have a Capirinha (ou duas) with a new amor as the sun sets behind the forest-covered peaks of Dois Irmãos. Seeing and admiring these things only makes us gringos try to make an attempt to become more like a Carioca. (but most of the time we fail!)

The beach is never boring. If you get tired of ogling the bodies of the bronzed and buff locals, you can wile away happy hours admiring the Brazilians' dexterity for Futevôlei, Altinha, and anything else involving a football. Or buy a Mate com limão from a passing vendor (he'll be the one shouting Maaaaaaaaaate!) or an Açaí com granola (guess what he'll be shouting). Or go chat to some locals! If you're too shy to say hello, then ask them to watch your bag while you go in the water, and before you know it you'll be invited home for dinner! (Or out for a few chopps in Lapa later that evening…)

Each part of the beach has a different character, and a different galera. Head to Posto 9 if you're looking for 'gatos e gatinhas', to Posto 8 if you like lots and lots of boys (and rainbows), Posto 10 if you're a sporty type, and right in front of the Caesar Park Hotel (or to Copa) if you're a rich sunburnt gringo who enjoys being surrounded by prostitutes. No matter which Posto you choose though, be brave enough to wear your sunga or only nipple covering bikini and a thong, but remember: nudity is unacceptable! And if you're a gata then prepare yourself for the inevitable comments from passing brasileiros, which range from the complimentary 'que linda!', 'caraca, que é isso?', to the more animal: 'mmmmm!' and a 'woof!' or both! If you're a gato you can even try it yourself!

So pick your spot and enjoy the view! And let's meet for some samba in Lapa later. Te ligo gato!

By:  Karen H.

The opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the Associação dos Amigos da Casa do Caminho.

A Suco Kick!

Brazilian fútbol is not the only Brazilian thing that has a strong kick. The freshly blended juices or sucos also pack quite a flavorful punch.  As the home of some of the rarest tropical fruits, Brazil’s many regions harvest intense fruits that blend to make some of the most unique juices in the world.  With juices ranging from the increasingly popular açai (the most antioxidant-rich food in the world) to lesser known juices like cupuaçu (a “super-fruit” related to the cacao bean), the variety of fruit drinks and flavors is endless.  

For the more adventurous juice consumer, the beverages that confuse and entertain the tongue include:  jabuticaba, graviola, pitanga, siriguela, umbu, as well as most of the juices beginning with “c”, like cajú, cajá, cacau, caqui, and of course cupuaçu).  For the less adventurous palliate, the manga (mango), coco (coconut), melancia (watermelon), limão (lime), laranja (orange) and morango (strawberry) will surely please and the flavors of maracujá (passion fruit) or acerola (a cherry-like fruit) offer something different but tasty.  

Just be sure to ask for it com açúcar (sugar) if you like it sweet.  For juice-lovers who enjoy uniquely blended concoctions, top pics include abacaxí com hortelã (pineapple with mint), açai com granola (açai with granola), or even add vitaminas (vitamin boosts), leite condensado (sweetened condensed milk), mate (a brewed tea-like herb) or a topping (like guaraná or nuts).  There are as many refreshing juices as there are Brazilian soccer teams, so be adventuresome and get a kick out of each one!

By: Ginnia H.

Less is More

The white sand beaches of Rio de Janeiro are world-renowned for their ability to attract beautiful bodies donning refreshingly small bathing suits.  But for an American, traveling or moving to this exotic destination offers another choice.  That would be the choice between holding tightly to their upbringing and sporting the long, baggy shorts that have become the norm for American men over the past 20 years, or immerse themselves in the culture and rock what the Brazilians call a "sunga."  This is a speedo-looking bathing suit worn only by men is tight enough to stay on, but not so tight to induce vomiting or discomfort.

I'll admit the first time I travelled to Rio I was very skeptical of what I would find and if I would have the courage to wear such a "costume".  In my situation, I was persuaded by a very beautiful Brasilian girl who I was dating at the time who had already purchased it for me along with a pair of "bermudas" (the shorts one wears to the beach prior to unveiling your masculinity).  As we got to the beach I told her that I was not quite ready to go through with it and that it would probably take some coaxing.  About half-way through the day I decided it was time, as most of the men were wearing similar attire.  After shedding the bermudas, there I was, an American wearing a bathing suit smaller than any I thought I would ever wear in public.

The fact of the matter was that I did not feel uncomfortable, as almost everyone else was wearing this "fashion."  I didn't feel threatened either.  In fact, it was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.  I was enjoying a foreign beach with beautiful women all around me, getting optimal sun, and loving the freedom from the restrictions that wet, long, baggy board shorts bring.  My suggestion to all gringos planning to visit the Cidade Maravilhosa, is to get out of your comfort zone and try immersing yourself into the local culture; you might find that you like it.

By: Austin R.

The opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the Associação dos Amigos da Casa do Caminho.

Sweep!

Sweep, sweep, sweep is my alarm clock in the morning. Perhaps it’s a Fall thing, but one of the distinctive characteristics about Brazilian mornings is being awoken by the consistent, gentle, yet exhaustive sounds of porteiros (caretakers) cleaning fallen leaves, trash, and standing water off of the sidewalk outside apartment buildings.

Porteiros in Brazil go above and beyond just guarding the entrance to upper and middle class apartment buildings. Usually dressed in an earth tone one-piece Dickie, they stand or sit inside the inner gate of the building and await returning residents. They serve as security guard, auto-washer, utilities manager, and community watchdog.

I befriended a porteiro named Sergio, to whom I asked a recommendation for a gas company. He said he’d get me a solid answer by the middle of the day. I continued on my path to work, with no more than mediocre expectations. Well, just one hour later, my roommate walks into the office with a sheet of 3 unique phone numbers of suggestions from Sergio! It should be noted that Sergio is not even my porteiro (my apartment mysteriously doesn’t have one), so this implies he knows my roommate was my roommate! Creepy?...or observant.

As a result of Brazil’s notoriously divergent class structure, most porteiros aren’t paid very well and tend to have much less education than the residents for which they serve. In this role, however, one would argue that a byproduct of this construct is precisely what allows them to have a down-to-Earth, amicable, and light-spirited attitude. In fact, there is a Dia do Porteiro each June 9 to honor their service. Sweep, sweep, sweep, o’ diligent porteiro.

By:  Jamiah H.

Avatar Rio

Imagine seeing a spider the size of a kitten, and knowing it's not going to hurt you. Or, watching a small army of ants perform a recon mission for a fallen soldier in your bedroom. Brazil's uniqueness boldly extends past race and geographic variations in its demonstration of biodiversity of flora and fauna. In my experience, the plants and animals are much more "intense" than anywhere else...trees here are supertrees with specialized roots and bark. Insects are intelligent survival experts, well-adapted to dangerous environments and savvy prey.

Weird experiences happen all the time. Once, I felt an itch and swiped my head to scratch. It was a small green worm, on my head! I pondered how it got there when I finally figured it out. Early in the mornings, there are sometimes little green worms hanging from trees on a thin, gossamer web (like a spider might hang). Without a doctorate in biology, I can only say: so random.

By:  Jamiah H.

Futevolei

Use your head. Use your feet. Even your chest. But whatever you do, get the soccer ball over the net.

If you appreciate athleticism, creativity, and raw talent, you will be amazed by this uniquely Carioca sport. Futevolei is exactly what the name suggests - a blend of futebol and volleyball. Using a beach volleyball court as its arena, two teams of (usually) two players compete vigorously to gain points. The mere fact that players cannot use their hands creates the distinctive layer of difficulty for which Futevolei is renowned.

My first exposure was at posto 10 in Ipanema, although local history (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footvolley) suggests the game began in 1965 in Copacabana. In fact, it was precipitated while futebol (soccer) was prohibited by the government, when Octavio de Moraes would use beach volleyball courts to kick around. Since then, formal tournaments and organizations have become commonplace, and many women have become prominent in the sport.

The level of difficulty is immense! It requires control of your whole body to arrive at the ball, quick decision-making regarding how you'll return it, and perseverance since the other team is just as talented (usually more) as you are. It's so difficult to explain in just words, so check out this video.

By: Jamiah H.

The opinions expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the Associação dos Amigos da Casa do Caminho.