Letter: This is My View of Traveling to Rio

Letter to the Editor, by Julie Sanchez

Hi, my name is Julie Sanchez and I love receiving my Rio Times online. We spend months every year in Rio and truly love the city.

I read recently an email to the Editor from a Canadian man who had visited the city via cruise ship and had negative things to say about the color of the water and the trash. He mentioned some nice things to say about the taxi drives BUT could not help commenting on their lack of English or french.

This is my view of traveling to Rio (which again is lengthy and often) and i see a much different city than he:

When I first visited Brazil four years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought maybe it would be one big all night party on the beach with loud people and loud music. I thought i might be mugged going to the coffee shops, I thought my infant son might be harmed. But my husband insisted it would be okay. I knew from the photos it would however, be beautiful.

Arriving in Rio the airport was a great success and traveling to Ipanema (our hotel) I could not believe the amazing architecture, the beauty of the old churches and how traffic moved along. Our taxi driver was so nice and yes, he did not understand English but was happy to explain anything in Portuguese. They do drive fast though!

The beach was really clean and the water was beautiful. The mountains, the Lagoa … all of it took my breath away. I have never seen a more beautiful sunset than Arpoador. Dining in Urca on the water watching all the colorful boats was utterly charming. And quite frankly the beaches weren’t loud with partiers, they were instead filled with sunbathers accompanied by joggers, cyclers and skaters who were enjoying the fresh açai and juices.

And I never felt in harms way but I was very careful and watched out at all times. The only time a street person ever asked me for anything was outside of our favorite bakery in Ipanema and she wanted a box of leche for her little one. We have stayed in Leblon, Ipanema, Apoador, and Copacabana and there were great things about each area. Plenty of cafes, grocery stores with organic healthy produce and of course yummy caipirinias.

Rio is by far one of the healthiest and most energetic cities I’ve ever traveled to. I can’t wait to be back in a few months and see all of my favorite things. And who knows, maybe my young son will learn caipoera.

Sincerely,

Julie Sanchez
Houston, Texas