Your list of 100 things to do before you die should absolutely include the New Year’s Eve party on Copacabana Beach.
Wear white and bring champagne and flowers for Iemanjá.
One of the great things about rolling into a new year is taking the opportunity to let go of the past and look ahead toward the future. With that in mind, I thank you for sticking with me through my 100 Things I Love About Rio. In random order.
I will make no comments on the infamous Brazilian wax. Nuff said.
Waxing is standard procedure in Rio. For almost every part of the body.
Some waxing salons even have separated male and female entrances.
Madame Satã is a legendary figure from Lapa during the 30s. His real name was João Francisco dos Santos and he was a drag queen, a transvestite, lover, father, street fighter – and a lot more – who refused to submit to the humiliation of homosexuals.
Over the years Lapa turned into a district where – untill recently – many transvestites hang out. Most of them are drop dead gorgeous.
It would be silly to make this list and not include Carnaval. You see, there is no comparison. Rio rules in Carnaval. Ponto final.
The Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí aka simply Sambódromo aka Apoteose, is a purpose-built parade area in downtown Rio where samba schools parade competitively during Carnaval. Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and built in 1984. It’s a 700 meter road flanked with seats. Each samba school has 90 minutes to parade from one end of the Sambadrome to the other.
I love kitchen gadgets. Even more if they make food not only more delicious but look pretty on the dining table too.
This is why I am a big fan of clay pots. Perfect for slow-cooking.
They’ve been making them in Colombia for a couple of hundreds years as well.
I adore this cotton fabric with its large floral prints and intense colors.
Originally from India.
Brazilian artists, from designers to artisans, make wonderful things with this – now very Brazilian – fabric.
Originally from Salvador da Bahía and just as Brazilian as the caipirinha.
Fitas, or miracle ribbons, come in a variety of colors, each color representing a particular Orixá.
Your wish will come true if you repeat your wish each time one of three knots are tied to secure the fita around the wrist. It will only be granted if the cloth has naturally disintegrated and falls from the wrist.
Do not remove or cut the fita yourself, it’s an open invitation to bad luck and misfortune.
