The contrasts of a wonderful city

by Luiz Souza (Brazil)

I didn't expect to find Brazil

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It was supposed to be a normal trip, was the twentieth time I traveled in the summer with my family but the script was new, travel to Rio and discover its beauty. I have relatives in Rio, sometimes I stayed in their home, but I had never explored the natural beauties of this city. We went by bus, and once I arrived at the Rio bus station I saw the greatness of it, thousands of people from different regions arriving with their baggage’s, stories and dreams. We ran to catch a taxi, and in the way some child asked us to buy some candies, they looked poor and tired, my dad bought some candy to help them. We got a taxi and started to talk with the driver. What place do you most like in Rio? - I love the beaches, especially Copacabana but I almost never have time to swim in the sea. - And how about Christ the Redeemer, what do you say about that? - Christ is amazing, beautiful, gives me strength when I look to him. - How many times did you visit Christ the Redeemer? - Well, I always bring people to the Christ, but I have never visited it. It’s kind of funny because I live 40 years in Rio and I have never visited it. Rio is famous for its beaches, carnival, soccer clubs and happy people. Beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema are famous because of their beauty and good water. Every day in Copacabana passes a lot of people of many countries, for example in the Hotel we stayed in Copacabana I had the chance to talk a little with two North Americans and an Australian girl. I even tried to flirt with the Australian girl, but I had no success. It was very hot that week, the beach was crowded with Brazilian citizens, tourists and foreign people. With a sun of 40 degrees, we swam a lot, drank ice cream and ate food under the shade. Everyday had people selling stuff under a hot sun, caps, clothes, tattoos, sunglasses, food, ice cream or drinks and still under theirs difficulties they always had a smile on their face. The sunset at Copacabana beach was unique, an invite to smile and admire the nature’s perfection. At the end of afternoon many people come to see the sunset, walk, play beach soccer or volleyball or even listen to amateur musician’s playing. One day at the sunset me, my brother and my father went to the beach to play beach soccer. While we were playing, passed near to us on the sidewalk a street sweeper, he was young, thin and black then he asked. - Can I play with you? We said, of course! He left his t-shirt and shoes on the sand and started to play with us. We had never seen him before, but quickly he was laughing with us. We played soccer for forty minutes and then he got his clothes and said goodbye. My family and I love to watch and play soccer. We got a metro to Maracanã Stadium, and at the way we got together with some soccer fans, not many but enough to sing soccer songs and contaminate us with their energy. The last metro stop was really near to Maracanã. We passed through the viaduct and we saw the Maracanã huge, beautiful, imposing, a soccer temple. Flamengo won 4 to 0 and we slept happy that night. I could write a lot of lines describing places like Sugar Loft, Botanic Garden, Christ the Redeemer or Lapa Arches. Rio is open to people, there is a place for each group, Sambadrome for samba dancers, Maracanã for soccer lovers, beaches for all ages. Rio is a wonderful city, the city of contrasts, incredibly rich, but poor in many ways, but always with an abundant smile in every heart, always ready to receive everybody. Luiz Eduardo