Rio continued...

Rio is a place of contrasts—there’s this free-wheeling lust for life, expressed through music, dance and fashion. Perhaps more than in any other part of Brazil, there’s this cult of the body. Women become obsessed with looking good—with having a lean sexy body with no untoward pubic hair. Thus the Brazilian wax—the thong bikini, etc. And women without flat tummies wear skimpy bikinis as well. Only very elderly women might be seen sporting one-piece attire. Off the beach there are skin-toned zero-barriga full/half body corsets. And to add to the chaos over the body there are non-stop opportunities to purchase snacks—saldados crunchy salty pastries often-filled with cheese. The cheese is delicious and whatever else is thrown in (tomatoes, olives, chicken) tastes great, too. Then there are sweets – frozen yogurt shops abound as do home-grown and Starbucks Coffee Houses. McDonalds Cafe’s and Ice creamerias are everywhere, too. It’s no doubt a challenging conundrum to look good amidst the constant temptation of goodies. My hostess Regina shared some of her strategies – drink coconut water instead of mineral water (it’s filling and thirst quenching). Don’t drink water with meals – let your stomach’s own juices do the digesting. I tried it, but then got super thirsty (she empathized) and so we ended up sharing a huge pitcher of coconut water…