Meet Cariocas

Positive experience from any travel depends on who you meet and how welcoming and open local population is. It is impossible to write about Brazil without mentioning its diverse and fabulous population. Country of immigrants with an open door policy, that lasted for many years, in combination with a dark age of slavery created an unusual mix of beautiful kind-hearted energetic and simply amazing people. Brazilians do know how to through a party and how to make a lasting impression. Don't get me wrong, drug cartels, violent crime, robberies do exist but same is true for all the big cities around the world. Brazil does a lot to fight this stereotype and progress is remarkable. There is a great future in front of this country an all because of its people!

If you live in Rio you can proudly consider yourself one of cariocas, regardless of your Asian, European, American or African origin.  In fact, blend of all of the above is the best description of Rio de Janeiro. I am a strong believer that diversity is a key to a successful society and it is plentiful in Brazil! Wherever you go you are bound to get a friendly service in the restaurant, get clear directions from a police officer who might not even speak any foreign language or start a friendly chat with one of the beach vendors. Some of it might be commercial but most comes from a good spirited nature of curious fun and friendly residents of Rio. 

So let all the negative feelings go, head to Ipanema, grab your beach chair from one of  the cute stand owners, sip on your fresh coconut juice, and enjoy the beautiful scenery! You don't even have to move to do your shopping. Numerous vendors will come to you. All your cravings for oversized bras, skinny bikinis, handmade jewellery and certainly caipirinha can be be satisfied. 

Observe the culture, add more colours to what you wear, get obligatory havaianas shoes and start exploring. Bargain on the markets, drink freshly made juices from fruits you never knew existed, hydrate yourself with coconut water, merge your body in the warm Atlantic waives, spend few days on the beach, get that nice brown tan and start blending! You will have a feeling of belonging very soon. I certainly did!