December 31, 2006 – Auld Lang Syne

As much fun as Todd and Carolina’s wedding was in Catalao, it was now New Year’s Eve, and we were on the Copacabana Beach in Rio. This was undoubtedly going to be something to remember. Sadly, I only remember fragments. Here they are in no particular order…

- I’ve been to Times Square. I’ve been to the Detroit/Windsor Freedom Festival. I thought I had seen fireworks. Nada. I’ve been to Rio on New Years. Now I’ve seen fireworks.

- It’s tradition to wear white in Brazil on New Years. Tanned Brazilians look great in white. Pastie faced Americans in white pants look like the John Ritter character from Three’s Company. Next time I’m wearing jeans.

- Apparently it is customary for Rio hookers to meet the entire family before “completing the transaction.”

- In Brazil, New Year’s Eve is much more of a religious holiday than it is in the States. Throughout the night, many Brazilians hand craft little boats with candles on them and solemnly launch them into the ocean amidst a flurry of prayers. If you happen to be using the ocean as a urinal, it’s probably not in the best interest of international relations to pee on those little boats as they go by.

- Much like country music, Brazilian music all starts to sound the same after a while.

- Surprisingly, I can not throw a French fry very far from an 11^th story hotel window. Todd can’t either.

- If you wade out into the ocean to, um, admire the religious ceremonies, watch out for the waves. If you’re Nolly, watch out for crustaceans.

- 260 Reals is way too much to pay for a white shirt.

- Rio street vendors could really benefit from price tags.

- Come New Year’s Day morning, the beaches are scrubbed cleaned and completely turned over by machines that look like the ones from Soylent Green.

- The lines/rios for the ladies Port-a-Johns should be dotted with Port-a-Johns to use while you wait in the line/rio for the ladies Port-a-Johns.

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