Thursday, 10/10. Full day tour. 20 people from various countries. Spanish and English. First was Christ the Redeemer statue. Just as we arrived at the final climb, the skies opened up. It stopped just as we were getting back on the bus. I noticed that it’s big. Beyond that, no impression.
The football stadium. Apparently, if you’re a big football fan, this stadium means a lot. There were several people visibly thrilled to get photos of the entrance, holding faux World Cup trophies. The carnival parade site. It’s a dedicated 1 km stretch with stands on both sides. Another huge deal that I couldn’t appreciate. The production of being a team in the parade is impressive. The Rose Parade it is not. The same steps I saw yesterday. I walked around the lower shopping area. The cathedral I saw yesterday. This time we entered. It is very very pretty. If only they could have made the outside less pedestrian.
Lunch. Fantastic. Salad buffet, then you sit while servers bring out a variety of meats on skewers. They slide pieces onto your plate or slice chunks off. So many carving knives flying around gave me pause. But it was all very good.
Sugarloaf Mountain. Look it up in Google, because I have no photos of it or its surroundings. Low clouds. The cable ways were fast. At some point the cable car just disappears into the clouds.
Not a spectacular day. Tomorrow it’s supposed to be mostly clear. I’m planning to walk the beach extensive, but my feet are pretty sore from the sidewalks. They are mostly made of broken tile pieces, meaning they aren’t smooth. But I’ll see.
Standard view. 
Reflected in the rain. 
People dress up in carnival outfits. 
The parade route. Serious judging. There’s even a time goal for running the course. 
Inside the upside down bucket. 
Looking straight up. 
The knife work is scary. 
An automated popcorn machine! I want one. 
The view on top of Sugarloaf Mountain. 
Copacabana Palace (Hotel). The first hotel on the Beach (1923).