As I type, I see Christo Redentor beautifully lit up right in front of me while I sit on the back porch on our familiar white couch, listening to the very soft sounds of Alto Leblon (compared to Copacabana!!!). Rolf, Evie, Rosie, and I have spent a ton of time out back here this last week, just wanting to soak it all in. I'm going to miss Rio terribly. We've also gone on a walk at sunset on the beach every night, sooo nice.
We got our pictures taken in Lagoa this week, I'll have to put them up. Becki kept saying how well I clean up. Yes... We lingered for a bit after she left at the restaurant and saw that they got a 3rd blue parrot! Just like Blue from Rio! We couldn't pull Evie away. It was such a nice sunset on the dock that night.
Adrianna has babysat for us twice this week, so Rolf and I could get out and enjoy time together alone. Both times we went to the overlook for the Leblon/Ipanema bay that has restaurants that compete with each other and we've just sat and talked and looked over at the ocean. The last time, I saw 3 sting-rays, the water was so clear and turquoise, heading for the shore, where people were swimming! I know they're harmless, but it was still pretty cool. When people finally saw, they got super-close, they just pointed and seemed excited.
After eating lunch, we would walk down to the beach, set up our tent for just the 2 of us, and then jump right into the warm water together. It's hot when you're not wet! We got to ride the waves together and just oogle at views, Dois Irmaos on one side of us and Corcovado to the other side while we're in the water. It's absolute paradise.
Today we took our last walk at Sunset, and stopped at the rocks between Leblon and Ipanema. We watched fisherman and kids play on the rocks, and then walked back in the waves too. No sidewalks for us tonight. The water was so clear, I just loved it. It was tough saying goodbye to our friends at church today, and to Lia. We will miss them terribly. We gave most of our stuff to Lia, I wish I could have given her more.
(this will say it's from Rolf b/c I have no clue what my Google password is any more, and obviously Rolf has used my laptop at some time) We did the same thing leaving São Paulo in 1990, and the Dominican Republic back in the late 80s -- we gave away as much as we could to folks who could use it. It was amazing watching our laundry lady riding away on the back of her boyfriend's motorcycle toting four sets of bedsheets, an ironing board and iron, and a passel of kitchen utensils all at the same time. TRAVEL SAFELY YOU GUYS!
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