Craigslist: A Different World in Rio

I have known since it was first created that Craigslist Rio de Janeiro just isn't the same practical page as Craigslist San Diego. Of course, I'm a glutton for punishment so I looked at apartments there anyway.

I'm not sure why I wasted my time. I used to go there just to check out the pictures of the HUGE places for sale (obviously being geared towards foreigners). I also find it super annoying to have to sift through all the ads selling places in Florida or Buzios. I'll except Buzios because it is in the state of Rio de Janeiro, but last time I checked Florida is in a different country...

Anyway, so I ended up taking a break from looking for practical places for my family and I and became a real estate voyeur once again. It's nice as I get to mentally live in a large kitchen with a island (fyi I'd change the tacky light):

http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reb/2573107122.html

Or enjoy the view from my pool. Maybe I'll go up to the balcony later to sip stupidly cold beers and stare at all of Rio below. Just saving my energy for when the house gets broken into later. Oh the joys of Santa Teresa (joking). 

http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reb/2573114495.html

I particularly love this one as you have the fireplace to enjoy the 6 weeks it's chilly in Rio. I'm not being sarcastic either! Apartments get breezy down here and there is nothing like heating cold toes in front of a warm fireplace. 

http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reb/2573110741.html

And if I lived here I would only travel the grounds via cartwheel. 

http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reb/2553195965.html

Now compare these to this:

The House that Hoarders Built

Art by: http://maryzeran.blogspot.com/2010/11/becky-danielson-artist-interview.html

The beauty of apartment hunting in Rio de Janeiro is the x factor. There is a BIG x factor in this city!

Take today for instance. I randomly saw an adorable house for sale in Santa Teresa. The price was very reasonable and the pictures were beautiful. I started dreaming about leaving apartment life and moving to a chic place in the artist/thieving district.

So it came as a surprise when I arrived at the home to discover that it had been split into two home and I was seeing the other one. Oh was it the other one alright!

To make matters even more pleasant, it is also the home of hoarders! No, I'm not exaggerating here. We're talking serious hoarding. Yes, paths were made through the crap and one room could not even be entered.

I have always known that there is a big potential for great hoarders in this country. Whatever is not thrown out the window is usually saved. Brazilians fix things, at least the older ones do, and save things that could possibly have later use. Obviously this is paradise for those who take saving to the next level of mentally questionable.

And while I attempt not to judge but only mock the crazy, this crossed the line. I don't care if you save a sample from every stool, I just don't want to visit your apartment while you are doing so.

That is why I am here to ask the hoarders of Rio de Janeiro to give a girl a warning. Put up a note like do not throw away the trash, we like to save it. Or hand out a pair of booties to put over my shoes before I walk in. I have no problem with you wanting to sell your place. I do, however, have a problem walking through a home that would make a dumpsite feel inadequate.

On an ironic side note, the garage was clean and empty!