Rio de Janeiro

[xannex]

Has anyone been here? It looks amazing and I'd love to visit.

http://www.photos4travel.com/rio-de-janeiro-travel-guide/brazil_Rio-de+-janeiro_travel_.jpg

http://ricardosblog.com/images/rio_de_janeiro_newyear_2007.jpg


http://www.laquasig.bio.br/rio-de-janeiro1.jpg

[Th0r]

You'd be best asking Thief, since he's a foreigner living in Brazil.

[thief]

It's the best city in the world. If you ever do vist drop me a line here in pm

Acai ( Ass - i - e) is something you really need to try when you get here... its a fruit but they put it in a blender with ice. Its the best man.

Places to see would be the top of Pão de Açúcar ( Sugarloaf Mountain, but real translation is bread of sugar) is very nice at the top and of course O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) both places are a must.

The best beach in town is Ipanema, the one with the most foreigners is copacabana but Ipanema is much better. Try the ice tea on the beach to its great.

[xannex]

Thank you so much thief. :)

[thief]

Anything else you would like to know, dont be afraid to ask.

[xannex]

Are there any languages that are spoken commonly besides Portuguese? Where would you say most of the tourists are from ?

[thief]

Hmmm, well I guess the locals understand Spanish very well but for some reason its hard to speak, they will reply in portuguese unless trained in Spanish. A lot of the younger people speak English but dont expect it from venders in shops etc or on the street for directions. If your really stuck for directions go into one of the many English school here such as Wizard, Wise Up, Fisk, CCAA or CNA etc (CNA been the best) and ask one of the teachers or students. You could also work there if planing on staying for 6 months with a pay of around R$12 per hour and make some English speaking friends. It's good pay for here if not trained in anything other than been a native speaker.
To be honest I have not met a lot of tourists and when I have they are from the states. A lot of them are students on an intercambio (student exchange program) You see a lot of grinoes on the beach.. its easy to spot them, they are the pasty white guys or girls with prawn skin on their backs form the sun. In all honesty its safe, people are nice to outsiders mainly because of curiosity.
When greeting a man you shake hads as per normal, or if your friends with them shake hands and give a kind of pat on the shoulder or chest. (Hard to explain) As for the girl you should kiss her on the right cheek if in Sao Paulo and both cheeks if in Rio. (Starting with the right) even if your a girl or boy.
Again, if its anything else I can help with just ask.

[xannex]

I speak Spanish, but not Portuguese. I will take a few lessons before going, but of course I will be most comfortable with English and Spanish, so it's good to know some people can speak or understand those. I am looking for one person in specific, so I'm not too concerned with what everyone else speaks, but conveinance is always nice.

[Jinx]

Tad off topic I know, But what's the name Mountain with the statue on top of it (one with her arms out) called please? theif previously said Sugarloaf Mountain but I wasn't too sure.

[thief]

Tad off topic I know, But what's the name Mountain with the statue on top of it (one with her arms out) called please? theif previously said Sugarloaf Mountain but I wasn't too sure.

O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) The mountain itself is called Corcovado. Hope it helps

[Jinx]

O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) The mountain itself is called Corcovado. Hope it helps

Certainly does, Much Obliged thief.