One thing we would definitely miss is the food. The open markets, the bakeries, the street stalls ... all of it. And another thing - the costumes. Walking down the street you could run into anyone from a 72 year old girl scout to a group of boys wearing stuffed bras and wonder woman suits to a girl wearing an inflatable wading pool hanging by over-the-shoulder suspenders. Where else can you find this?
OK, and another thing to miss: the beaches, of course! Not for the shy or demure folks, these beaches are stunning pieces of nature used as a backdrop for all sorts of displays of flesh - the curvier the better! Any piece of material bigger than a bunting flag will leave you looking like a grandma. Heck, even grandmas were out sunning their bare bosoms.
But just before leaving the scantily clad beaches, colourful street markets, and rhythmicall throbbing festival crowds we had one more bit of business to attend to: Andy's birthday party.
We found a cake, some birthday hats and some giant balloons and made our way to the Copacana beach front at night. Arguably the quietest spot in Rio that night. The crashing waves created the loudest noise around.
We all put silly, pointy red party hats on our heads and declared ourselves the Rio Beach Gnomes. Giggling, we lit candles on the chocolate cake and all sang the birthday song (poorly and out of tune, in keeping with family tradition). Andy was grinning like a cheshire cat.
The huge balloons were blown-up (luckily I didn't yet have today's chest cold) and set free. They travelled way up high into the black night sky and floated back down slowly when pummeled into the air. There was one per child and we all had so much fun bouncing them around the beach.. One of the best birthday parties I've been to!
This was also a goodbye party for Rio as we prepared to move on to Foz do Iguacu, the Iguassu Falls on the border with Argentia and Paraguay. A fitting farewell to a party town.
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