Finally - Rio Weather

Already in the morning, bright sunshine and blue sky - that's what you expect from Rio - why not? So by taxi to the base station of the cogwheel train to Corcovado. Strange name, because translated it means 'the hunchback'. It goes up 710 meters. The taxi driver was rather elderly and even used the taximeter - without any tricks. I speak basic Spanish - me too, I replied.

But why does he make the sign of the cross before every major intersection? Well, elegant lane changes with just a little honking, so really reserved. There were still 2 more turbulent taxi rides and 2 times on the bus=death trap.

It was clear to me that there would be a lot going on today with the perfect Sunday weather. I was asked several times if I already had a ticket, maybe a reservation - I would have to wait for an hour anyway and that wasn't enough. When I tried to pass through the barrier just before the printed time - stop! no Señor - next train please. The Swiss cogwheel railway technology worked perfectly. What was strange was that pedestrians kept walking on the tracks. The driver took it in stride - one of the reasons for the delay? doesn't matter... tudo bem.

After the mass rush in the valley, I expected the worst on the not so gigantic viewing platform - nope - plenty of space. But it was strange to see the contortions people were making here: some lay on their backs - in need of resuscitation? - others stretched their arms with smartphones, many waved a selfie stick around, others practiced the pose of the savior. Meanwhile, I simply set my wide-angle zoom lens to 18 mm and didn't need any contortions to capture Christ the Redeemer completely and in all its splendor. The view in all directions was breathtaking. However, it soon became clear to me why the ride to Sugarloaf Mountain was about a third more expensive. Despite the height of Corcovado, the view from Sugarloaf is more spectacular. The slim figure with a height of 30 meters in the Art Deco style of the 1930s is elegant. One thing that stands out: Jesus only has a mustache and a relief of a heart visible on his chest. Below that are 2 handles - whatever they may be for. Protection against birds - okay, and nails - oh no, not again! The material is surprising: not carved from stone, but probably made of cast concrete covered with a kind of mosaic. The tile setter is not to be envied when he has to repair that. Surprisingly, there is also a chapel - a place of silence in the pedestal. Inside there are electric candles, a black Madonna in a little coat, and choral music. It was good to take a moment of reflection after all the bustle.

Many people also seem to not reflect on what the outstretched arms mean - never mind, it's just copied - mindlessly...

My second missing item on the agenda: Botanical Garden - palms, orchids, jungle with parrots, and much more - very beautiful and pleasant. By chance, I was able to attend a concert by a youth orchestra, who then played Beethoven's Ode to Joy as the last piece (I only partially heard the others from a distance) with drums and many instruments that the master probably never intended. Okay, the flutes weren't quite in tune - doesn't matter, it was all fun and the young musicians clearly enjoyed themselves - despite their very concentrated looks.

Third and last act: Copacabana - from above, just a wide beach. When I arrived, the sun had already set (6 p.m.!). Instead, there were barriers and a hellish samba drumming, amplified even more with a gigantic mobile sound system. In front of it, about 25 armed police officers with bulletproof vests and assault rifles. Various flashing police cars: can't go wrong with those in the background. The noise escalated even more, and I retreated to one of the restaurants on the street - but as I enjoyed my dinner, everything shook more and more and the samba float parade (buses with open platforms on top - adorned with fantasy flowers and light shows - musicians with very little clothing. The street was also filled with a festive atmosphere - glitter dust. It was a Brazilian-style election campaign - obviously focused on combating machismo, sexism, fascism, and other -isms. Everyone could understand the message: against right-wing homophobia, etc. The colorful rainbow colors and stickers, that's how I like to engage in an election campaign - definitely not boring!

The highlight on the last float stopped right in front of the restaurant and was a great singer - at least she looked more like a woman. The voice was incredible and samba rhythms with really great songs and rocking guitar sounds - wow. The waitstaff in livery was rather embarrassed by it and said - that's Brasil. All I could do was give a thumbs up - he could barely hear me.