Rio - Lapa Steps, Museum, Carnival!

The delicious Acai drink

Though there have been carnival street parties every weekend leading up to this one, carnival has officially begun. It's been pretty fun going out every day/night this weekend and coming across a different party. Friday I went with a big group of people from the hostel (3 from France, 2 from England, 1 from Brasilia, 1 from Sweden and 1 from Rio) to Santa Theresa where we walked and walked in search of a non-existent party.

We slowly lost people or they left, and we did find some people drumming, but eventually went back down to Lapa, where there was a great light-show with older English music in a street between some buildings. Saturday I went to another bloco here in Botafogo with 2 guys from Southern Brazil, and a girl who works at the hostel and her friends. It was another big group and lots of fun - and we were supposed to get water thrown at us so I wore my bathing suit... but there wasn't really any water. And then yesterday I went with the 2 English guys and 1 Swedish guy to the Sunday Market in Ipanema and to a few street parties in Lapa again.

Because there was nothing during the week, I took it easy most nights, and did some touristy things or went to the beach during the day. I also visited the huge, cheap Saara Market area and got a red nose, polka dot skirt, bubbles, and a purple wig with polka dot hat for my costume as a clown.

Tuesday I was back downtown where I went to the famous mosaic Lapa steps, the huge Candelaria Church, and the Museum des Belas Artes, which had a great modern gallery of Brazilian artwork. I usually don't take pictures in museums/art galleries but this one had so many beautiful pieces.

I have about 4 outfits so often wear the same thing over and over

Museum des Belas Artes



Jesus and the adultress

Huge wall painting called "Slave Ship"