Aiiiiiii, this is like nothing I´ve ever seen before! CARNIVAL!!!! So actual carnival is not until the 15th, but the whole city of Rio de Janiero has basically shut down at points to make `party time`. It´s unreal. Cab drivers singing about how excited they are for the celebration, and how they wait all year for this. Its like the culmination of a year... All things come to seize at Carnival. Life is good. I wish I could show my loved ones a day in the life of a Carioca (Someone from Rio). Its about celebrating what has come to be and accepting life for what it is... Life should be a constant party. It´s all about how you percieve the goods and bads, you know.

I got into Rio on Friday, took a nap, and then I went swimming on one of the most spectacular beaches I´ve seen. It´s called Leblon, that´s the neighborhood I´m staying in as well as the beach just down from me. Friday night I went out with Dan and a couple of his friends. We ended up in a grimey hip hop club in Lapa. Shook it until 5 in the morning. Que otimo!!!!

Bloco today was amazing, just a street party with thousands of people, ON A SUNDAY!! Crazy time! A Blocko is basically a samba schools rehersal for the big parade of Carnival. Tons of drums and dancing. And then the crowd follows the dancers down the street for hours. I´ll post a video soon. You really need to see it to get it.

Til the next time...

Midnight train to...

My backpack and I will be catching the late night train to Portland tonight! Woo, I've never been on a train in the good Ole U S of A. I find it to be a quite fitting way to start a fairly epic journey. I'm packed, my ipod is full, my new shoes are worn in...
I'M READY TO GO!!!!
AHHHHH

Preparations

My backpack and I will become well acquainted in the very near future. Packing will begin on Saturday. Laundry done. Sorting of clothes... not quite done. Final items purchased (at least I think I have everything). I'm waiting to hear news of my visa, which has my stomach in knots, but I know everything will sort itself out.
This whole weekend is dedicated to saying my farewells, tis bittersweet.
Super Sweet!