i didn't fully love brazil until i went to rio

and oh what a place it is! what contrasts and extremes! while the beauty is seriously beyond belief, i couldn't help but remember that back at work in aracoiaba were over 40 young moms who are recovering from the kind of drug-war-frenzied environment that are brazilian favelas - those rough communities you see climbing up the gorgeous green mountains from rio's perfect beaches. being in rio reminded me so much of being in cape town - you pinch yourself at how delicious the life can be! at how yummy the food is, how gorgeous is the architecture, and stunning beyond stunning is the landscape and history and culture, but then there are the cape flats. then there is cidade de deus.

not to say there is no beauty in the favela, and no horror in ipanema or leblon - it would be awful to say that they are these polar opposites with vicious residents in one and perfect residents in the other, of course the contrasts are more nuanced. but they are there for sure - constant and everywhere.

also constant and everywhere: absolute and full-blown celebration. ohmygoodness. i loved it. LOVED IT. not only is rio drop dead amazing on its own, but carnaval! what! never have i been in a place that embraced such pure and absolute enjoyment - all through 24hour dancing, parading, and singing in the streets. it was hilarious and crazy and so so fun (and safe, mind you!). i didn't want to leave!* how fab to see something else in brazil besides little sorocaba! so much to learn, so much to absorb!

oh rio oh rio... deixei a ti o meu coracao...

but enough talk. here are some videos of the carnaval street parties toni and i went to. keep in mind that the first video was taken at 8:30am saturday morning. the party is literally 24 hours. rain or shine. amazing.

*did i mention that mom comes here next tuesday?! and that we are going back to rio with her? oh heavens i am so spoiled. and can.not.wait!!!!