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| View from Elzi´s lounge. You can see Christ on top of the mountain. |
Rio is five hours behind our time and my body is still responding to African time. My journey here was once again filled with blessings and meeting just the right people. After my mom & Neil saw me off at the airport, the real journey began.
Once we landed in Sao Paulo, chaos ensued. Infact the SAA flight (which was fantastic), had to circle the city for about 30min before we could descend. Much rain had delayed all the flights and the place was manic. Local flights were being changed left, right & centre to give preferance to international take-offs and was left stranded for 3hrs as a result.
Was very lucky to be standing at the right place, at the right time. A middle-aged man happened to be standing next to me, with the same ticket. He spoke fluent English (Israelian) and was kind enough to loan me his phone to contact Elzi to tell her about the delay. By following him around I was eventually able to find the right gate - may very well not have if he wasn´t there. Renaan told me he was here on a business deal from the Israeli government - doing some defence arms deal with Rio. Interesting that...
He was very helpful & kind and thanks to him, Elzi didn´t wait forever.
Upon arrival in Rio I was met by both Elzi and Mark. What an AWESOME experience! Mark had arrived from Melbourne, Oz, a month prior to me. After intense studies at Medical school he has also decided to take a much needed time out before he goes on to specialise. It was three years since our last union in Leipzig, Germany and just so unreal to be standing there again, together. Who would have thought!?!
Last night after arriving, I tossed down my bags & Elzi insisted that we go for a beer and bite to eat. Just after 12pm (midnight) on a Monday night you will find plenty a bar beckoning beer on every street corner, well here in Tijuca that is. We found one just round the corner, settled with a beer and later ordered pizza. My head was still swinging from the flight, but such an experience just to be there.
Amazed at how many people were out at that hour, most (like Elzi) probably having to wake up at the crack again to work. Loved the people watching bit, women totally embracing their sensuality. Felt like such a frump arriving in Sao Paulo when I saw all the gorgeous-ness around me. Felt like I´d come from a different planet when I saw all the beautifully clad feminine creatures milling about.
What I love about Rio is that women celebrate their bodies and don´t hide behind baggy clothing if they´re somewhat round at the edges. Saw a woman at our bar last night, wearing TIGHT tights, high heels and skimpy little top and she was a booty-licious mamma. In South Africa this would so have been frowned upon. Everyone in Greenacres would have stared her right out of the shopping centre. Here it is normal and fabulous.
I don´t understand why we buy into Western culture body issues. Here life, your body & self just seems to be celebrated. We´ve forgotten how to live. We´ve become too serious, too focused on the daily grind. On my last visit the Latinos showed me how to live. They have again.
I´m remembering what it feels like to be alive and live in the moment. I forgot for some time, became a bit too serious, but I can feel the old Janine coming back, seeping into my bones, calling me to dance in the street. Dance and sing. And in Rio - you can.
WELCOME TO RIO DE JANEIRO!!
PS. Plans for day
Unpacking, attempting to look human again (shower much needed), and then off to meet Mark at his youth hostel in Copacabana (where he is working) at 5pm. He will then take me out and about and Elzi may join up after her course tonight.
Challenges for day
Finding my way around (alone), going grocery shopping (and finding my way back home), finding subway and way to Cantagalo station (I am based at Afonso Pena). Should be a cinch after Mark´s wonderfully illustrated explaination. So bit anxious to be doing this alone (for the 1st time, always had Elzi as my wing-woman), but feeling confident.
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| Fruit markets with a ginormous selection of South American fruit. HEAVEN!! |
Affirmation for the Day:
I am Divinely guided and protected. I am safe.
Top 5 Gratitudes for the Day:
1. Being met by Elzi & Mark at the airport - was dream come true to see them again
2. Blessed to have such AMAZING, caring friends
3. Renaan (Israelian) helping me at Sao Paulo to find my way
4. Baggage and self arriving safely in Rio de Janeiro
5. Feeling so good and happy in myself again. Life is GOOD :-)
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| And a section of the Veg section. Elzi in background. Look at the size of everything! |
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