Post Olympics

The Olympics were most enjoyable.  Very tiring with 15 sessions, but I'd surely do it over again.  Yesterday I decided to go out and see the town.  Unfortunately, it started raining really hard late in the afternoon and I had to eliminate my club plans since I was drenched.  What a beautiful city this is!  Had plans to head up to the Christ the Redeemer statue, but the park service was kind enough to advise me to not buy a ticket since it was cloudy up there.  At least I got to see it from Ipanema at a point when the clouds broke for a few minutes.  Will try to go up there again today, but not looking good since it's raining and cloudy at the moment.  A few final thoughts before I head to Iguazu Falls tomorrow.  1) Haven't seen a mosquito, so I'd surmise that it's safer right now in the Rio winter than it is in Miami 2) While I've exercised the usual big city caution, at no point have I felt threatened 3) But I have been robbed!  Went into a secured Bank of Brazil ATM and someone had inserted a card reader into the machine.  I covered my hands when I punched in my PIN, but they must have clever cameras since within 10 hours there had been 7 charges totaling $350 against my card.  I get emails when it is used, but all uses occurred between 5AM and 6AM this morning.

My Single Brazilian Souvenir.  Made From Fish Skin from the Amazon

  Fortunately, Fidelity will reimburse my losses and I always carry a second debit card, so I won't have to beg on the streets.  I've been traveling with this same Fidelity debit card for 20 years and haven't gotten breached until yesterday.  I guess my mistake was using it on the weekend even though the booth required a card to enter, obviously no one was checking the machines for card readers.  Oh well, at least my money will be returned after the 10 day security search.

Ipanema.  Few on the beach given that it's both winter and cold

The NBC Broadcast Facility at Copacabana--Lots of Security at the Entrance

A Visit to the Hippie Market and A Chance to Try  Acarajé (mashed peas formed into balls), stuffed with Vatapá (paste made from shrimp and cashews). It's strong stuff but worth trying if it will be your only chance to eat traditional Bahian cuisine while in Brazil!

The Famous Maracana Stadium At Night