Shoe Scam

I joined an informal group today to see Christ the Redeemer situated high atop a mountain overlooking Rio. What a beautiful 360 degree sight. The youth hostel wanted R$135 (US8$84) for a tour. I was going by myself when Kathryn (mentioned in previous blog) said her and two guys from Chile were going there also. We did our own tour by taking a city bus. Upon being dropped off at the base, we dabated walking the 8km to the top (approx 2500ft). With her plane leaving back to London at 10pm, we decided to take a taxi to the top. Im so glad we took the taxi as there were long stretches of narrow very steep road with sharp switchbacks and parts with no sidewalks. As the favelas (slums) are built on the steep mountainsides, the road also passed through one of these along the way. The bus was R$2.35x2, taxi R$15 and park pass R$16.5 for a grand total of US$22.50. I feel a greater sense of aculturation is acquired through doing things on your own rather than through a tour group. I never have liked the tour experience.

On the way back, we departed the bus at the first stop along Copacabana in order to walk along the beach back to the hostel. As we passed another intricately carved sand castle, I stopped to take a few pictures as the sun set. Feeling frugal, I tossed the first coin that entered my hand into the artists basket in front of the castle. This coin could have been anywhere from 1 centavos to 1 real. Several in the group next to the castle, I´m sure the artists among them did not seem to like my gesture of a coin in the cup. Within 3 steps, a sticky gooey moist mixture landed on my left sandal and all between my toes. As I tried to kick it off, another from a different direction was bending down while offering profusely to clean up the mess. He just happened to have a handfull of paper towels.

Reading about Rio and metro South America, this may have been what is called the shoe scam. An oblivious tourist with a camera waiting to be robbed. As the man with the towels tries to divert my attention, others in the act could quickly approach to steal my camera or other personal belongings. I had no idea who threw the mix but I instantaneously thought of this and quickened my pace. The towel guy kept up with my pace pleading nicely to help clean my foot. As I looked down at my foot, the mess looked and smelled like runny shit. Not until I caught up with my companions did the towel guy retreat to try another unsuspecting tourist. Several blocks later, as we went our seperate ways, I walked into the ocean and used the sand to cleanse my foot and sandal.

I went to the university this morning. The people close to me on the bus were very helpful in my questions in location of the language department. One female student got off at the same stop as I and pointed out which building I could find administration of the language department. Walking aimlessly upon entering the large building, I passed students exiting a class. I walked in and asked the professor ´fala (speak) ingles?´ as he said yes. He walked me to the other side of the building to the person´s office whom I needed to see. Eva made a copy of my passport, gave my some information of nearby apartments (as where I am at now is 45 minutes by bus to the university). she took contact information and said I would be emailed soon. The Portuguese language class doesn´t start until July 5, three weeks from today.

Chewy