Rio de Janeiro is unlike any other city I have ever seen. Whilst there's nothing unique in its high rise buildings and busy roads, there is something enormously special in the green hills which break up the otherwise sea of concrete and stone. These giant mounds look so out of place and yet they make the place all at the same time.
My mum and I actually stayed high up on one of the hills in a gorgeous little pousada in Botafogo. Though it was quite the climb, it offered a peaceful haven away from the hectic city streets whilst providing an incredible view out across them.
For the very best views, however, we had to go even higher; 2,300 feet to be exact, to where Christ the Redeemer has shotgunned the top spot. This stone monument is named as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and whilst he's pretty awe-inspiring in terms of his size and stature, the scene he stares down upon is arguably more impressive. We'd chosen a completely clear day for our visit so the conditions were perfect for viewing the breathtaking fusion between the natural and manmade worlds beneath us. It's as though a cosmopolitan city has collided with an exotic Caribbean island and created Rio.
Unable to get enough of this picture, we later caught the cable car up to Rio's second highest view point on Sugar Loaf Hill. We'd planned it carefully so that we reached the top just in time to see the sun set behind the mountains. Shadows soon took over the sky but the landscape beneath it glowed brighter than ever. We stood and watched as thousands of tiny golden lights appeared through the darkness, sparkling as though someone had sprinkled glitter across the city. It was mesmerising that this scene which was so beautiful by day could be even more amazing by night.
The following morning we decided to keep our heads out of the clouds and take a closer look at Rio on ground level. We started at the infamous Copacobana beach which was buzzing with Brazilians and their naked bums. It's a fabulous stretch of sand that seems to emanate happiness though it's difficult to put a finger on why. Perhaps it's the people, who love nothing more than to spend their Saturday basking in the sunshine with an ice cold caipirinha and a handful of friends. It's certainly not a bad way to live.
Once satisfied that Erica had turned a decent shade of pink, we left the beach and made our way to Lapa in search of the Escadaria Selaron. They weren't difficult to find! Covered from top to bottom in brightly coloured painted tiles, this staircase is an artistic masterpiece. Sadly the artist responsible passed away a few years back but even the controversy shrouding his death can't taint the magnificence of his life's work. Through the combination of vibrant colour and sketchy impressionism, Selaron's steps have truly encapsulated the spirit of Brazil and it's just beautiful.
Despite how hard we tried to ignore it, time had been ticking away for my mum and she was due to fly back to London that evening. We spent the last couple of hours together comfort eating empanadas and reminiscing over what an amazing time we've had. I'm so happy that she got to be a part of this experience and can now see how and why we love what we're doing. For me, it was like having all the home comforts I've missed throughout the year shipped out to me at once. It's true that home really is where the heart is, and for the last eight days mine had relocated to Brazil.
Not only did I have to say goodbye to my mum, but also the flashpacker lifestyle which had come along with it. Nothing says welcome back to hostel life like an ice cold shower and a crazy girl in our dorm room snorting cocaine. Luckily there was also a round of caipirinhas and a fake bottle of Smirnoff waiting for me downstairs so with the excuse of drowning my sorrows, we got right on it.
Lapa Square was just a short walk from our hostel and we met plenty of others as merry as us, ordering cocktails from the market stalls and dancing in the street. Whisked away with the crowds, we soon found ourselves in the middle of a dance circle in an underground hip hop club which looked like my garage. The locals were pulling out all the stops to battle it out in the dancefloor, with one guy even getting a unicycle involved. Obviously we had a go and then stumbled back to the hostel before they could play Soulja Boy for a second time.
Brazil has exceeded all of my expectations and we've only just scratched the surface. It's such a huge country with so much still to explore but I feel like I'm already in love with those people and places I've not yet seen. One day I'll come back to prove that theory but for now it's goodbye Brazil, I'm off to Colombia!
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