A trip to the Northeast

Not quite like the US Northeast, in Brazil the land is hot and dry in parts, and has beautiful beaches in others. The dunes, as are the beaches, are known worldwide. The area is popular with tourists from all over the world for its attractions (you can even go for a camel ride on the beach), its food and its culture.

Here in Rio you can have just a little impression of the last two in the FEIRA PARAIBA, or Feira São Cristovão, in Sáo Cristovão. The place is open Tue thru Th from 10 to 4pm and from Friday 10am to Sunday 10pm. There is food, music, dancing, shows and typical objects. In the evenings it is crowded and hot, I recently went on a Friday afternoon around 4pm and it was very pleasant, not all restaurants were open, of course, but a group was playing forro (typical and very enticing dance) and some of the locals were dancing and swaying to the music.

Can you imagine having lunch with 3 of your best friends for all of  $25?

Sweets galore

Quinta da Boa Vista

I confess, to my shame, that I have only now discovered this great place. Well, I had been to the zoo already but not really to the park or the museum.

The museum (Museu Nacional) is now a museum of natural history, though it used to be the palace of the Portuguese king Dom Joao VI and the home of our emperor's.

Unfortunately none of the rooms is furnished to show the splendor of the court (to see that you would have to go to Petropolis), On the right is the ceiling of the throne room.


There are plenty of dinosaurs, meteorites and indian scenes to enjoy.

The surrounding park is beautiful as well. However, the sign below tells you specifically that it is forbidden to wash your clothes in the lake.