When My Baby Smiles at Me, I Go to Rio

3 June 2022

I haven't had an international flight in awhile that left at night...so I had the day to relax a bit before leaving. Even took a short nap and got in lots of kitty pets. Finally had to get going...and thankfully got there early (even though my Lyft driver did not know the International Airport), which is good, because despite having submitted all my documents online via Delta FlyReady, when I went to check in yesterday, it wouldn't work and said I had to check in at the airport :-(

I had to stand in line for over an hour to check in with an agent so they could see my passport and vaccination card. Security was quick and easy, however, so I grabbed some McDonald's and went to my gate for the ten hour flight I have ahead of me. Thankfully, I also got my boarding pass for the LATAM part of my trip from Sao Paulo to Rio so I won't have to stand in a crazy line again (plus, domestic flights are less complicated in general).

Once again, I try to engage with folks while standing in lines, but no one really wants any part of me. I can't figure it out. My seatmate does not speak English, which ensures a quiet flight. I have my new inflatable nap thingy, and it actually works pretty well and doesn't leave my neck sore. Dinner is pasta, couscous salad and a cookie...with some interesting WOODEN utensils. Also got an egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast before landing.

Made it to Sao Paulo okay...after taking off an hour late. I met a guy while waiting in line at customs who is in the Navy and actually spoke to me...but mostly it seemed he was trying to show off the normally special treatment he gets in airports that he was not receiving this day. But at least someone spoke to me. He asked me if I was RETIRED!! Seriously? Fuck you.

Sao Paulo airport is very confusing...I felt like I kept walking in circles! One lady told me I didn't need to check my bag, but I have a feeling that isn't right. I also have no idea what gate I need to go to because I have a few hours to kill...but a few hours later (1 hour before my flight) and I still don't know. I feel like I should eat something but my stomach hurts, thanks to my usual travel anxiety. I am a bit nervous about getting a SIM card, finding a metro card, and even getting an Uber.

At least I finally found my gate (and didn't need to check my bag!) and made it to Rio...where it is raining and gray. I call an Uber from the airport with the free wifi. About ten minutes into the ride, he takes a curve a bit too fast and we start hydroplaning on the freeway! We flew to the right, then left, then right again, then into the left median wall. My left shin hit the front seat hard, and the airbags went off. We crashed just around a curve, so luckily, another car pulled in front of us and went behind us to direct traffic--even so, almost got hit by another couple of cars.

I sat there trying to decide what was safer--getting out or staying in the car. Finally, a tow truck stops and tows us off of the freeway into a dirt area under a bridge. My driver lets me use his car's wifi to call another Uber. I felt so bad for him--he had blood on his face and shirt, and I'm pretty sure he can't afford to not have his car for several days while it is fixed (hopefully it can be). We kept saying "tudo bem" (everything is ok) to each other until the next Uber showed up.

FINALLY made it to the Airbnb, and after going through the gate at the address, realize it is a hallway to the other side of the building. There are several businesses under there, but nothing that looks like an apartment entrance, and definitely no sort of check in area. They didn't send me any check in instructions other than how to unlock the door, so I assumed it would be obvious. It wasn't.

A man took pity on me and asked (in Portuguese) if I needed help...he found a woman who spoke some English and they figured out what I was looking for and he took me to the correct set of elevators. I got upstairs to the room AND IT HADN'T BEEN CLEANED YET FROM THE PREVIOUS PERSON. I contacted the Airbnb person, and he sent me to a different room to wait while he had the room cleaned...since he forgot to do it already!

The building is quite old and has an old rickety elevator with a metal gate and everything. The room, however, isn't bad. There is air-conditioning and hot water--something not standard here. Also, Netflix.

I already want to go home.

This stuff does not bode well for the rest of my stay! Also, the Airbnb guy tells me you can't get a SIM card without a Brazilian ID. In my research, I read that was true at most places, but there should be somewhere that does it with a passport. One more shitty thing. I had already downloaded the Google map of Rio and Google translate for Portuguese...but won't be able to call Ubers.

My leg hurts.

The one good thing is that my tour tomorrow has pick up/drop off so I won't need an Uber.

I leave to get some groceries, and two hours later, finally get into my room and discover my suitcase charger is gone. Must have fallen out during all the chaos of the crash. Had some dinner, and went to bed by 8pm, exhausted.