Barra da Tijuca- Here we are!

Alright! First post on my blog, coming all the way from Rio de Janeiro! How to begin? I won't bore you with the travel details except to say that business class is really the "basic dignity" class compared to the battery cages we usually sit in. Is it the decent amount of space to stretch your legs or less sketchy food that keeps you feeling like a human being upon arrival? Or is it the glass of champagne as you board the plane, catching your breath from having to race the 2 km from gate D22 to gate D44 weaving in and out of crowds with a loaded stroller to catch your final leg to Rio?  I think it is. Minus being coated with a recycled, dry, communal mucus membrane, no tiny chapstick or mini hand cream could possibly alleviate.

So we made it. Barra da Tijuca, meaning "swamp sandbank" and located south of the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema is more beautiful than it's name suggests. Imagine 18km of this on a sunny day!

View from our balcony

Behind us is the "swampier" bits of Barra da Tijuca. There's a large lagoon, a protected area which adds a nice band of lush greenery to hide what I consider the real swamp of this neighborhood- the mega malls, most notably BarraShopping which boasts being the largest in North America. All easily accessible by an insane, multi-laned "avenue" sure to give an expert driver a neck cramp and ulcers.

 
Speaking of largest, there is a giant, and when I say giant, I mean monolithic 90 thousand square meter building in the center of a enormous roundabout called the Cidade das Artes (The City of the Arts) which also boasts being the largest concert hall in North America, but to me, it looks abandoned. Um... a mystery to explore. Another mystery, why Brazilians love condensed milk.

Condensed milk aisle- as far as the eye can see!

So, what's the best way to settle in? Enjoying the views, making green drinks, and running along the beach. I ran a chunk of it this morning without sunscreen. Dumb. You should see my white skinned running shorts! Maybe that explains the tiny bikinis. Next task- making friends! This should be interesting. Keep reading.

Surfers on Barra da Tijuca Beach