Wednesday, 10/9.  Steady Rain, with a few gaps.  4 hour walking tour with one other.  Excellent tour guide from Intrepid Urban Adventures.  Couldn’t stop the rain though.  Who can?  Subway is better than some.  Lines 1, 2, and 4.  Line 3 is an urban legend.  Center city would have been pretty except for the rain.  Opera House was beautiful even in the rain.  Old Tram to the top of one hill.  View at the top would have been nice except for, well, you know.  Artist studio/gift shop was excellent, though I feared dripping on the items. Another gift shop. There is style here that uniquely Brazilian. I liked it. (I am continuing to detect little English, but not the “attitude” that one senses in France. They just don’t learn it. That’s fine. But now that there is no $450 visa fee(!), they may start seeing more Americans.)

Tiny monkeys with long tails.  (No birds; odd.)  Snack of cheese bread and semi-solid fruit juice.  Famous Selaron Steps, covered with tiles from around the world, is an impressive example of international unity. Hanshin Tigers have a tile, to illustrate how diverse the tiles are.

Returned to the Beach, had lunch of beef shish kabob and a glass of Caipirinha, made with their national whisky, Cachaça.  Fruit additive is your choice. I had passion fruit. Returned to the room early to dry out.  Stayed.  No great interest in the nightlife.  Beach cafes are still open after 10.

I was soaked for most of the day. My waterproof cork hat isn’t. My waterproof Columbia jacket also isn’t much. But my wetness might have been from sweat, though it wasn’t too hot. Today in the moment was less than wonderful, but in memory it’ll be excellent. Tomorrow I go on an 8 hour tour. On a bus thankfully. (As I type this, it’s pouring. Sigh.)

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