The Bus is Our Home

We're in Rio! Our billets brought us to the university in Ribirao Preto this morning and we said goodbye to each other with hugs and songs - and confetti! A bus rode took us to the RP airport, where we caught our plane to São Paulo and finally Rio, both short flights. We were able to see the famous Christ Redeem statue on our way in, as well as the beautiful waterfront. The humidity, much more than where we've been so far, hit us like a wave on the way in.

We were met by Fernando's family and a guide, who guided us safely through the crazy drivers and narrated the bus ride to the hostel. What we saw of Rio was beautiful - old buildings, parks, palm trees, glittering ocean, soccer games, the whole thing up against the mountains and cliffsides. There were streets lined with skyscrapers and trees, a glimps of the sea at the end like the end of a tunnel. The hostel's crammed between tall buildings, with narrow hallways and white stucco and shutters, and  actual key-shaped keys for the rooms.

After devotions in the common area, we split up,  some heading to a grocery store a few clocks away while others went out to experience Rio's nightlife. We were able to use the kitchen again to prepare food. We've enjoyed our few hours in Rio so far and are looking forward to a busy day tomorrow!