The Rain Finally Moves In

9 June 2022

Today's guide, Bruno, picked me up at 9am to head to the Botanical Gardens. It started raining on the way there, so he said we would go to Parque Lage first since it is mostly indoors. It is a beautiful Italian-style mansion at the base of Corcovado. On clear days, you can see the Cristo, but not today. This was another location in the Snoop Dogg video. A beautiful pool and courtyard with restaurant--women line up to get an Instagram shot in front of the pool.

It is also home to an art school, so there are all kinds of exhibitions here and in the house next door, which we also checked out. There was an exhibit there about the pandemic.

After this, the rain had mostly stopped and we headed to the Botanical Gardens, having a conversation comparing Bolsonaro and Trump. Interesting stuff. I learned about lots of trees and plants; saw big fish, cranes, turtles, and other birds...but NO MONKEYS (again)! Bruno told me they only come out when it is sunny. Also saw a former gunpowder factory.

oldest tree here--daughter of mother tree planted by the original owner of the gardens

"baby" palm tree

big fishies

those are roots!

old gunpowder factory

orchid house

mexican garden

setting up orchid sale

bromelario house

air bromelias tied to a tree until they latch themselves

wall of the old gunpowder factory

baby crane

mommy crane

avenue of palms

fountain from England

Brazilian azeleas

natural water fountain

red inside a brasil tree

They were preparing to have a big orchid sale, so the orchid house was closed, but we did go in the Bromelario house and learned about all sizes of them...even "air" bromelarios that grow on trees and other things. Also saw a fountain that was a gift from England and the only fountain I've seen in a long time that is still turned on after COVID. Drank from a natural water fountain, and saw turtles!

We had another great convo about the state of our countries/the world and also about legalizing marijuana.

Headed back to Airbnb and relaxed a bit, then took my COVID test (yay, negative) and tried to check in for my flight, but Delta says I have to check in with LATAM first which of course wasn't working. Looks like long lines again tomorrow :-(

Sat on the beach for awhile thinking about the fact that I was in fucking RIO DE JANEIRO in SOUTH AMERICA and looking at the incredible view. Sometimes it is so hard to be in the moment because you are just in culture overload. Then I finally found a hot dog. A very INTERESTING hot dog with ketchup, mustard, salsa, mayo, corn, peas, and dried onions. It was actually pretty good. Came with a Guaravita drink that was good but very sweet.

Sad to be leaving, but glad to be going home.