Rio: The Hits

Besides eating (mostly deliciously cheesy snacks), here's a bit of what we've been doing:

Feira Hippie: Artisan's market that happens every Sunday in Ipanema. Touristy, but cool jewelery, clothing, trinkets, and the usual. The badass prize goes to the leather fanny pack maker. Badass and fanny pack, you say?? Yep. All leather, great colors, and he also makes purses and fringed bikinis with scary animal faces. Check him out:

That's right, he's wearing a turtle shell helmet with feather embroidery. 

Botanical Gardens: A great place to get away from the city, and shady too! My favorites were the cactus garden and the orchid collection. Check out these leopard print hotties:

And if you're in the area, make sure to walk along the entrance of the park and around the corner-- there is an awesome strip of graffiti art, check this one:

  Interpretations anyone?

Music:  I said MUSIC!!! While I'm skipping town before carnaval, I've had the privilege of checking out some carnaval rehearsals, all happening at house parties and nightclubs. Get down! Also got to see the big poppa of Pagode music (like a slow samba?):

Arlindo Cruz is a big man with a little guitar and he sure can PLAY.

Last but not least, my favorite bar so far: Academia de Cachaça. I would be enjoying the outside seating here every night of my life if I could. Huge selection of cachaça and the caipirinhas are off the hook! Passion fruit caipirinhas takes the cake, and a must-try is the caldinho de feijao- bean juice with bacon bits on top...mmm. 

Got the travel bug?

Feria Hippie: http://www.feirahippieipanema.com/
Botanical Gardens: http://www.jbrj.gov.br/
Great Guide to live entertainment and everything else fabulous in Rio: http://www.rioguiaoficial.com.br/en/
Academia de Cachaça: http://www.academiadacachaca.com.br/abertura/index.html