When they arrived, I was able to pick them up from the airport and get them settled in my apartment before I headed into work. I was so happy to see them and for my parents, the flight provided them with insight they hadn't realized. I live REALLY FAR AWAY! Don't get me wrong, they knew I lived here, they knew I flew overnight, and they knew the flight was long, but knowing it and experiencing it were two totally different things. haha!
The first day was a lot about relaxing. So, that night we headed out to Coco Bambu and mom fell in love...with Caprioska's!
Ricky, Frannie, and Caprioska's!
Dad and his Petite Gateau
Shrimp, it's whats for dinner.
Me and Mom.
The next day we headed off to Rio. Originally, there was a debate about where they should go in Brazil. I am always of the opinion that if you go to Brazil, and you don't go to Rio, you didn't REALLY go to Brazil. Mainly cause of the culture and the fact that although it is not Brazil's largest city, it is its most famous.
When you think of Rio, you think of sunny days, beaches, and barely there swim apparel. Unfortunately for us, we went in November, when the weather isn't as good. We had some overcast skies and rainy days but we still did one thing everyday. And more than that, we got to see all the things you WANT to see in Rio: Sugar Loaf, the Favelas, Cristo, the Hippie Fair, Escadaria Selaron, the Beaches, and people in their barely there swim apparel. :)
The favela's
Mom and Dad
Me and Daddy-O
Wiring in the Favela. Fire hazard, anyone?
Escadaria Selaron
There are 250 of these steps and they have all been tiled, even the sides too. They estimate that there are 2,000 tiles from all over the world.
The man who created these stairs, Jorge Selarón, who died in January. His steps have been on everything from the Amazing Race to a Snoop Dogg video.
Cristo
Mom and Dad with Rio below them.
It was so packed that some
After our big Rio adventure we headed off to Buenos Aires. I was especially excited about BA because unlike Rio, I had never been there. BA is often called the Paris of South America and I have agree. The architecture, the culture, it is so different than Brazil. Like Rio, we tried to do all the "touristy" things.
We headed to the Recoletta Cemetery.
Eva Perone aka Evita's Mausoleum
We sampled their famous Argentinian beef.
Visited the Pink Palace
And found a little bit of Nashville in South America. :)
One of the most eventful activities we had wasn't even on our list of things to do. About a day or so into the trip Mom looked at me and said, "I don't get why you get dressed up. Your a tourist, don't you want to be more comfortable?" to which I basically said, when you travel it should be your goal to NOT LOOK LIKE A TOURIST. You should try to blend in some. And there it is folks. The words that haunted us the rest of the trip. Because on Saturday, Dad had his wallet stolen. Luckily, we were able to withdraw money and have the cards cancelled. And, although it was frustrating, we have a great story to tell. Cause the thief made a total production out of it. I mean, he pick-pocketed with swagger. :)
When we came back to Brasilia, we spent a few days just hanging out and experiencing Brazilian culture.
They got to go grocery shopping.
And learned to cross the streets using "the Signal of Life"
And took a tour of downtown.
Having them in town left us all with some great memories. And, for them it provided greater insight into my day to day life. They have faces for names, get what I am talking about, and finally understand my address. :)
I loved having them in town and am grateful to have parents who love me enough that they want me to not just have these experiences but want to share them with me.
