Post Blog from Rio: U.S. Americans are Clumsy, But We Show Up on Time

The entire gondola full of tourists gasped as I carelessly fell into the gap between the door and the platform outside; this after repeated warnings in multiple languages to "mind the gap." I sustained minor scratches on my wrist, knee, and stomach, but my pride was most hurt. Especially when a big American jerk told me after I'd been fished out of the bottomless space to "Mind that gap." I was truly embarrassed, especially as we walked around on top of Sugarloaf mountain and people kept asking me if I was all right. Nice to know they care, I suppose.

Other than death defying accidents, it was a lovely visit to the world-famous symbol of Brazil, Sugarloaf mountain. The view of the city was fantastic, and you really get a sense of how absolutely huge metro Rio is. We were tagging along with our friends Chris and Cintia and many members of Cintia's Brazilian family. Without understanding their language, it was interesting to see a large family in action: teenaged boys giggling and pushing each other around; teen girls hanging close together, fashionable and self-conscious; organizing an unruly group of cousins, aunts, and uncles; smiling through the language barrier with Cintia's brother and niece, especially when asking us what kind of ice cream we wanted.

Spending time with Cintia's family also provided the opportunity to witness cultural differences. For example, dinner was planned for 7:00. The four U.S. Americans showed up at 6:55. The South Americans trickled in between 7:45 and 9:00. Whenever we met up with the family, we got there at the designated time and waited a half hour or longer for the locals to show. You just have to go with the flow. No one in Brazil really cares when dinner starts and it doesn't really matter when you think about it.

Clyde and I have enjoyed being here over the Thanksgiving break. Of course, here, Thanksgiving is just another day. We wouldn't even have thought of it except for an obnoxious U.S. American lady at the hotel who loudly wished everyone, Brazilians included, a happy Thanksgiving. Sometimes I'm tempted to tell people I'm from Canada.

Another mass shooting in Colorado was on the news here.

Watching the TV, I noticed the snow flurrying around a bundled up reporter. It's quite a bit warmer here: 30 degrees Celsius. The humidity is high and the city smells like people sweating. It's as if Colorado were a different world. And Denver feels much smaller by comparison.

We were not mugged or kidnapped, and in fact, judging from the TV, the United States is a much more violent place.

Rio's beaches are beautiful and the people are friendly - and very tolerant of visitors who don't speak Portuguese. Fortunately, Clyde speaks Portuguese and managed to communicate with waiters and taxi drivers.

All the same,we are ready to go home and see our cats and put up our Christmas tree. Clyde is already talking about our next trip, perhaps Nicaragua. I need to wait a couple of months. Actually I think our next trip might be to the large and independent nation of Texas to see his family.