World's Most Populous Cities
City	Population (in millions)
1. Tokyo	26.518
2. New York City	18.271
3. Sao Paulo	16.110
4. Mexico City	15.525
5. Shanghai, China	14.709
6. Bombay, India	14.496
7. Los Angeles	12,232
8. Beijing, China	12.030
9. Calcutta, India	11.485
10. Seoul, S.K.	11.451
15. Rio de Janeiro	9,807
Source: 1997 World Almanac

Saturday, July 17

This morning we drive to Rio de Janeiro! From our arrogant U.S. maps the trip looks like a two-hour quick jaunt, but in reality lasts six hours, the same time it takes me to get from Memphis to Atlanta. The entire way we saw more cops along the road than I've seen in Atlanta since moving here! Of course, it doesn't make us happy that when you pass a police office (right next to the highway), you have to slow from 120 km/h to 40 km/h! Ridiculoso? Si. Not a bad drive through the country and the mountains (key words: "perigroso" - dangerous, "devegas" - slow).

Once we arrived in Rio, though, me, Scott and Jenn were terrified as Dad missed the exit and we drove down the highway to nowhere. You see, the Brazilian transportation authorities don't feel that it's necessary to put exits on the highway, and especially reject the notion of road signs to help you find your way. It doesn't help that the infrastructure is in dire need of a facelift. I still have a bump on my head from hitting the ceiling in the Blazer because the roads are so ungodly horrible (yes, worse than Arkansas and Alabama!). This is where we began to mock the motto on the Brazilian flag: Order and Progress, which eventually became the easiest way for us to rip on the Brazilians without going into detail: No road signs? Order and Progress.

	Looking up at Cristos. I can see the Virgin Mary in the light on the left! Send all donations to Jeff R...

Corrupt government? Order and Progress. Immense poverty? Order and Progress. No buffet? Order and Progress.

Here's a pretty cool map of Rio de Janeiro.

We stayed at the Hotel Sofitel along the coast. Very nice hotel with good service and a great location on Copacabana Beach (also near Ipanema). It has a great view with a white beach and blue bay surrounded by mountains and islands.

Scott, Jenn and I shared a room. I slept on a rollaway bed because the hotel's view of double beds is a wee bit smaller than ours (more like twins). So I stuck my bed against the window, which we kept open all night. I tell ya that is a great feeling, to be nine floors up with a breeze and the sounds of the coast coming through. Jenn was a very quiet sleeper, but Scott is a bit of a snorer. Okay, a loud bit of a snorer, but if he sleeps on his side he's okay. I know I'm loud with my asthma, so I always make sure to be the last one asleep.

World's Largest Countries
Country	Land Area (in sq miles)
1. Russia	6,592,800
2. Canada	3,849,674
3. China	3,696,100
4. United States	3,536,278
5. Brazil	3,300,171
Source= 1997 World Almanac

Speaking of the double/twin beds, I quickly noticed that everything in Brazil is smaller than we're used to: cars, elevators, bathrooms, roads, chairs, bathing suits... The hotel bathroom was fine, but a few of the FIVE Dad and Danielle have don't offer much in terms of space when on the commode. You have to sit facing the side rather than the front of the porcelain pony.

By the way, just for everyone stuck in the U.S. while we were gone, it was a pleasant 70 degrees during the day, 60 at night every day we were in Brazil, so I hope you enjoyed your 14 million degree heat!

	The view from our room looking towards the coast over the fort.

As soon as we laid our things on the bed I turned on the TV (a natural response), which was already on CNN International, and told us that JFK Jr's plane was missing. I call Dad and tell him, to which his response is "What channel is the British Open on?" I tell him Ch. 60, and we watch the golf tournament, flipping once in a while to the JFK Jr. news. I was much relieved to be on vacation! I'm sure CNN was a bit hectic this first day, let alone the next seven, but I was to be freed of this story by not returning until after the memorials.

After the Open, we headed to the ocean for a very, very leisurely stroll along the walk next to the beach. We sat at a little food and drink stand and had some refreshing beverages (coconut milk straight from the coconut, soft drinks, beer, etc.) and listened to the waves crash. Of course, we also got to see an older Brazilian gent, shall we say, drain the main vein, 15 feet from us on the sand. Gee, why not? He was already wearing a Speedo he shouldn't have been.

A few of Jenn's remembrances: ...how about mentioning all those damned small cars. ?? hehe. like circus freaks. carnies. small hands. the stench from the river great food, great service, incredible desserts. having lunch with the ladies at that french restaurant caiparanias. . . . yummmy. hehehe oh, and one other thing. . . scott INSISTS that he really did eat the caviar. i believe him, dont you??

All we heard about Brazilians being more free with their sexuality was proven on this day. The programs on Brazilian TV would freak out the Christian Coalition in the States. Especially the Multi Show network, where South Park ("Man this is f**king weak!" was translated as "Que semana!" and Damn! comes out as "Droga!") was followed by some very interesting soft-porn programs.

Finally what I've been waiting for, free nudity on public television! Not to mention some Brazilian teenage-focused show on another network, where a dozen women run around and dance for hours in itty-bitty clothes, as we see close-ups from behind them in their thongs. Wow, what a wonderland for teenage guys! Some were not so great, but I tell ya this country has some hot mamasitas! All of whom don't mind showing off their jubblies!

We also had the opportunity to watch the American teen classic movie "Porky's" on TV one night, and it was uncensored on free television, something that would never happen in the U.S. The movie was hilarious, as I hadn't seen it in 15 years when it didn't quite make sense to me, being that I was 8 and hadn't hit puberty yet.

The porn magazines are also displayed with nudity on the covers in plain sight of anyone. And yes, I bought a Brazilian Playboy. I kept saying in jest that I would, then realized I might as well or I'd regret not buying one. If you visit me and see the cover, you'll know why I couldn't resist. Unfortunately the skimpy clothing and nudity was all reserved for TV and magazines, as it is winter in Brazil and the temps (70s for highs) didn't allow for too many thong bikinis on the beach.

	If you're happy and you know it...

That night was perhaps my favorite dinner. We ate at a nice restaurant on the balcony overlooking the beach. The food was good, as was the view and the fresh breeze was refreshingly calm Finally saw what appeared to be Americans, as a father who looked like a jet-setting playboy was there with his two lovely daughters. At least I hope they were his daughters. We didn't see many Americans or Europeans, which was surprising since Rio is such a popular tourist spot. There were plenty of Japanese, but they most likely lived in Brazil, since the country has the highest number of Japanese outside of Japan.