Rio Baby!

                It’s safe to say August has been a crazy month.  A lot happened during the second half of the month...moved into a new apartment, went to Brazil for vacation, and got a new job.  Although all of these things are positives, it was a very stressful month.  I’m looking forward to a relaxing September with lots of cross riding!  Yes, I said it.  I’m going to race cross this year.  I use the term race very loosely though.

 

                Brazil was the trip of a lifetime!  There is nothing like having 10 close friends from college travel to Rio for vacation.  The trip started out with a welcoming party where we got a taste of the signature drink of Brazil, capahrina.  It’s made from their most popular distilled liquor, Cachaça.  Man, are they dangerous!  They make you brave enough to Samba dance in front of Brazilians!  Unfortunately, they don’t make you any better at it...

 

              Brazil has the most gorgeous beaches and the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen!  The sidewalks are all made out of small pieces of stone with different designs in each area…so cool looking!  One of our first touristy stops was to see the Christ the Redeemer statue.  Unfortunately when we got to the top the clouds had rolled in and we couldn’t see the view.  We did get the gorgeous view from the top of Sugarloaf mountain though.  It was amazing!  I can see why people in Rio call it the best view...You could see everything! 

 

                The reason we were all in this amazing city was for our friend Donna's wedding.  The wedding took place in this gorgeous, small church outside of Rio.  It was a fairly tale wedding.  The pictures don't do it justice!  Brazilian weddings are a little different from US weddings.  There are no speeches and no sit down dinners.  Waiters and waitresses come around with little food trays.  It's endless tapas and, of course, endless champagne/alcohol.  I think everyone at the wedding had their fair share of both!

 

Best cake topper ever!

 

                Although the trip was amazing it’s good to be back home!  The cross bike has been cleaned…now it’s time to get it dirty and start racing!