A fellow expat blogger inspired this post with her 5 Things I want to Do in São Paulo but Don't. I have, in turn, done the same thing for the fabulous city of Rio de Janeiro!
1. Talk to the transvestites working the streets in Gloria. I have always been in awe of them and would love to interview/talk to them. I bet they have one hell of a story to tell.
2. Go hang gliding. I didn't have the balls to do it before having kids and now I feel like it's too risky because I have them.
3. Adopt a street kid. It breaks my heart to see these guys sleeping in the street. Hell, even when the are harassing me, I want to take them home. A good bath, a safe home, and lots of cuddles. If only it could be that easy.
4. Buy all the American magazines I come across. With the inflated prices it would be a quick way to go broke.
5. Get a boob job. I still debate about eventually doing this, just filling the old girls back up again. Of course a friend of mine had to go and ruin it for me by giving me facts and such. Ah well, these girls still have quite a few miles left in them.
For more information: http://www.hostelriodejaneiro.com/things2do.php
2. Go hang gliding. I didn't have the balls to do it before having kids and now I feel like it's too risky because I have them.
Photo by and For more information on street kids:http://www.flickr.com/groups/hummingbird_xmas_2006
3. Adopt a street kid. It breaks my heart to see these guys sleeping in the street. Hell, even when the are harassing me, I want to take them home. A good bath, a safe home, and lots of cuddles. If only it could be that easy.
4. Buy all the American magazines I come across. With the inflated prices it would be a quick way to go broke.
5. Get a boob job. I still debate about eventually doing this, just filling the old girls back up again. Of course a friend of mine had to go and ruin it for me by giving me facts and such. Ah well, these girls still have quite a few miles left in them.
Why don't you try to interview the travestis for a "Meet a Carioca Monday"? That would be interesting...you could probably ask their opinion on boob jobs! HA! I am sure they must know a few things about it... :)
ReplyDeleteI am with you on the "not jumping from the Pedra da Gavea"...
I always tell Gil if we win the lottery we will be adopting a ton of poor street kids and raising them and sending them off to college!
Ray
I did the hang gliding! I remember that little ramp there. I ran like crazy off the end and I have to say IT. WAS. GLORIOUS! As for risks, I'd say it's a pretty small one. Thousands of people jump off that rock each year and few of them get hurt. I'd venture to say not many at all or you wouldn't have the tourists lining up to jump. In fairness, I'm not a mommy (yet) so I don't have to deal with the anxiety involved with that particular decision. But, I'd say go for it. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteAfter living in Hong Kong (HK) for almost 10 years, your post inspires me to slow down and see HK as if I was a newbie. I can't remember all the things I vowed to do when I arrived. Thanks for the idea! Janet
ReplyDeleteRay- I would LOVE to interview the travestis for Meet a Carioca Monday! Mr Rant does not understand this desire. It's a whole 'it's not safe' 'it's a different Rio than our's' and 'give them some respect by not treating them differently' kind of thing in his mind. I get that, and I mean no disrespect. I just want to get a picture into their world. Anyway, he scared me away from this idea many years ago...
ReplyDeleteApricoco - I heard that ramp is scary as hell! I know some people who did it and they had themselves a little drink at the top before they could manage the ramp. I know it's safe but that irrational fear from before kids is stronger now. Maybe I'll have me an afternoon caipirinha one day and just do it!
Anonymous - Glad to help! This blog did the same thing for me in Rio. Amazing what you can see when you slow down!
Oh and Ray, if we win the lottery we are going to build a proper home for street kids. A good one! Help them all! :D
ReplyDeleteFor more insights into the lives of sex workers in Rio you can comb through Thaddeus' blog "O Mangue" http://omangueblog.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteIn particular, a recent post directed readers to this treasure trove of articles on the subject: http://appweb.cortland.edu/ojs/index.php/Wagadu/issue/current including an article he co-wrote and contributed.
I'm dying to talk to the transvestites. I agree, every one of them has got to have a good story. I've gone hang gliding, and you should absolutely do it. However, I too am less adventurous now that I have a child. Speaking of children, I also agree - I wish I could take these kids home, just so heart breaking. The most I feel like I can do is buy what they are selling and pass out a toy here and there.
ReplyDeleteThe hang gliding dilemma brings back memories.
ReplyDelete(flashback mode On)
Kate: You're sure it's safe
to feed the turtles?
Deuce: You have nothing to worry about.
I’m a fish expert, remember?
Kate: What is that over there?
Deuce: Oh, that's just some kid with a fin
on his back, trying to scare us.
Kate: Are you sure?
Deuce: Yeah. Do you think the hotel would let us
swim out here if there were sharks? Come on. This is Mexico. They know what they're doing.