On the way from the airport to the hotel, I chat with the taxi driver. The extra year of language training has made a big difference. I feel confident in conversing with him and can understand a lot of what he says to me.
The taxi ride is uneventful. There are no disturbances. No one tries to attack us. Along the way, people are going about their business; I notice a number of women jogging in the late afternoon sunshine, unaccompanied.
We have chosen the Windsor Excelsior Hotel in Copacabana. It's right on the beach-front, and is very close to the venue where we'll be performing. I check in to the hotel and settle into my room overlooking the sea.
By 7.30 pm I can't keep my eyes open, and fall soundly asleep. But at midnight I'm awake again. No point fighting it - where I've come from it's early afternoon. I get up, read some newspapers and a book, and listen to some music.
I seem to be breathing a bit more easily - my cough has a few more days to settle down, so I should be fine.
When I awake, it's morning; the first of seven that I will be spending here in Rio. I open up the curtains to reveal a perfect Rio day. It's a stunning view of endless beaches - sand, sea and sunshiny sky.
I go down to the restaurant for breakfast and announce my room number, feeling pretty confident with the language. Then I help myself to the array of delicious tropical fruits and other treats, and relax at a table near the big windows.
Mid-morning I head out onto the street. I wander along the beach-front and down a side-street. It's Monday, and our venue is closed, but the excellent music shop next door is open. I go in and browse, chat with the staff, buy some CDs and DVDs and a book. Then I continue on my way, mingling with the crowds, observing people, buying souvenirs.
No one tries to mug or rob me. I begin to relax and enjoy being out and about.
Back at the hotel, I read my emails. There is one from our agent, Mara. She writes "Be careful in Rio." Oh, here we go again! Danger, danger!
Mara continues, "Be careful in the sun. It's going to be very hot today."
The taxi ride is uneventful. There are no disturbances. No one tries to attack us. Along the way, people are going about their business; I notice a number of women jogging in the late afternoon sunshine, unaccompanied.
We have chosen the Windsor Excelsior Hotel in Copacabana. It's right on the beach-front, and is very close to the venue where we'll be performing. I check in to the hotel and settle into my room overlooking the sea.
By 7.30 pm I can't keep my eyes open, and fall soundly asleep. But at midnight I'm awake again. No point fighting it - where I've come from it's early afternoon. I get up, read some newspapers and a book, and listen to some music.
I seem to be breathing a bit more easily - my cough has a few more days to settle down, so I should be fine.
When I awake, it's morning; the first of seven that I will be spending here in Rio. I open up the curtains to reveal a perfect Rio day. It's a stunning view of endless beaches - sand, sea and sunshiny sky.
I go down to the restaurant for breakfast and announce my room number, feeling pretty confident with the language. Then I help myself to the array of delicious tropical fruits and other treats, and relax at a table near the big windows.
Mid-morning I head out onto the street. I wander along the beach-front and down a side-street. It's Monday, and our venue is closed, but the excellent music shop next door is open. I go in and browse, chat with the staff, buy some CDs and DVDs and a book. Then I continue on my way, mingling with the crowds, observing people, buying souvenirs.
No one tries to mug or rob me. I begin to relax and enjoy being out and about.
Back at the hotel, I read my emails. There is one from our agent, Mara. She writes "Be careful in Rio." Oh, here we go again! Danger, danger!
Mara continues, "Be careful in the sun. It's going to be very hot today."
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