I have arrived in rio. Another rionese person Pablo, I met at the rio airport offered to take me in a taxi to the central location where he dropped me off at a hostel (just 2 blocks form the beach, he then continued on after giving me his email and phone #. I wanted to check out the other 5 hostels I had addresses to before making a decision. I started walking toward the city center in search of the other hostels all within 5 miles. At the end of the search, I decided on one a few blocks back. So here I am. The hostel at the end of my search is where I might return to tomorrow only a few blocks away as it is R$11 cheaper (US$7) but they had no rooms available tonight. The difference in the 2 hostels were R$36 and R$25 (US$22.36 and US$15.53) Upon taking a shower, with soap in my eyes and hair, the water ran out and stayed out for about 15 minutes. With eyes stinging, wondering what to do, I quickly dressed and went to talk with the person at the front desk. She said it was best to take a shower in the night as the water tank fills during the day. Upon returning to the shower, the water was back on and I completed my shower. The shower head here is like the one´s used in Costa Rica. You have only one water control, cold. The shower head consists of a small container which has a heating element inside. The lower the cold water presure applied at the faucet the longer the water has to heat up before exiting through the perforations.

The plane trip was uneventful. My legs and feet began to swell as is expected. About every thirty minutes, if not sleeping, I would get up and walk the aisles. The little sleep I had was good but I sure am tired now. I think Ill try to take a nap now the soap is out of my eyes.

In the morning, I plan to visit the University of Rio de Janeiro to check in.
Eric aka Chewy