Hanging Out in the Neighborhood

It's been pouring rain in Rio for the past several days. When that happens, I tend to stay closer to home. This makes perfect sense: I avoid massive traffic jams, while still enjoying some of the best food and entertainment this city has to offer. Some of Rio's top movie houses are a short bus ride (or a healthy walk) away. This area also boasts, together with Jardim Botânico down the street, quite a few of my favorite restaurants and botequins. This wasn't the reason why I chose to live "under the Christ's armpit," but it's a huge plus.

I'm very fond of walking up the quiet streets behind my building that dead end at the forest. Especially when it drizzles and the mountain puts on a white, wispy shawl, it too, probably, relishing the cooler weather. These two photos were taken this morning. The jackfruit, which are as big as melons or even watermelons at times, were all over the cobblestones, too. Peaceful strolls in the neighborhood are not entirely without peril and excitement around here!