Brazil- Part 2

Thanks for putting up with this blog and sitting there staring at pictures from our vacation. 

I know that probably wasn't what you wanted to be doing today. Thanks anyway.

So we continue.

Day 5:

Rio

We did a private tour with just us 6 and that was definitely the way to do it. We got to see so many things that you wouldn't be able to see if you were on one of those huge bus tours. 

Our tour guide was great and explained so many things to us. 

So this is one of the bars they have on literally ever corner. 

This is where they have Carnival. I wish I could see that. It sounded amazing. But the guide said that tickets go from $200 to half a million. But I am not sure if he was telling the truth because that seems a little outrageous.

This next place was the coolest. In the middle of the city there was this stairway made from tiles around the world. The artist actually lived about halfway up the stairs and you could come and drop off a tile and when he did a repair he would put yours in there. It was so colorful. For the sake of time we didn't walk up to the top. I could have spent a good 3 hours just looking at the tiles.

And at the very top was the Brazil flag.

This was one of their Cathedrals. Looks kinda like a Mayan temple. But then you walk inside and WOW. It was amazing. Stained glass floor to ceiling all over.

Its funny because even though these churches are gorgeous nothing will ever compare to the temple. 

So I don't want you guys to think that I believe these churches are more beautiful than the temple because nothing can compare to the temple in design and in spirit.

Looking up from the middle of the church.

This was the original water aqueduct they used. Looks like the Roman aqueducts. 

Rio had such amazing architecture.

Copacabana Beach

On the way up to Christ the Redeemer.

Christ the Redeemer

Isn't he handsome?

Sugar Loaf in the background.

All the boys who served their mission in Brazil.

The train we took to the top. It went up a mountain at a 45 degree angle and a few times I thought we were going to just roll back down the hill.

View above the city.

A Flavela. These were considered the slums and rightfully so. Basically they were made from "miracle brick" which is a dried mud.

I love this random guy.

This castle was modeled after the Cinderella castle.

A mural for the Brazilian World Cup. All the years they won. 

Our tour guide said that if there was a city with 10 houses, one of those would be a church. and he was right. So many houses.

Little cafe in the middle of the neighborhood.

Their barbed wire is broken glass glued on a ledge. Genius right?

I loved this garage door. I want one just like it now. With the greenery around it.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Random bird house on the street.

The most amazing churro I have ever had. I won't ever like an American churro ever again. This was filled with dolce leche. 

Great now my stomach is growling.

New Years Eve on the boat for the firework show.

The traditional kissing picture.

This firework show was amazing. It was so cool to see. We has front row seats and it lasted about 20 minutes.

Brazil has a tradition where you wear white on New Years' Eve. I'm not sure if there is any significance. But I am going to start doing it and say it is for new beginnings, and clean year, fresh start. Ya, I'm going to stick with that.

One more post. Hang in there.

Kaylee