Travelogue: Rio De Janeiro

The sole peril of being sensitive to life experiences is becoming "cautiously optimistic". When you are let down by the grandest of dreams and plans; and find the most embellished moments of life in inconspicuous and undocumented events and things, you can no longer predict bliss or make a bucket list.

But if i had a bucket list, Rio De Janeiro would have definitely featured.

I am not a rogue traveller. I am as adventurous as a girl who spends most of her day sitting in front of a computer, check her locks twice and actively avoid public restrooms. So this trip was not about finding the best drinking party, enjoying local cuisine (as a vegetarian i can't) and being spontaneous. It was a well planned trip with safety as a priority. At one point in time, i even planned to cover the exposed circle at the back of my phone case that revels that i have a red iphone with electrical tape; But I of coarse, I could not act on this edgy idea as i am also the girl who do not do house hold repairs and do not have electrical tape handy in the house.

As a person born in Rajasthan and living in Arizona, the first trip i booked was an open jeep tour to the Tijuca rain forest. I fell head over heals in love with the concept of city planning where a man made forest is the heart of the city and people live around this forest harvesting the benefits of controlled climate, no flash flooding and no land slides. It is the largest urban forest in the world.

There were hardly any trees in the Botanical garden or on the roadside where the trunk of the tree was visible. They were all covered with money plants and other vines growing on them.

It was a treat to see the jackfruit and mango trees laden with fruits.

Christ the Redeemer: If a monument/place is marked as a "Wonder of the world" it will never disappoint you. the concept of a simple, majestic and conspicuous statue of God guarding the city is illustrative, classy, artistic and appealing even if you are a non-believer

A trip to historical downtown was a mixed bag. the history of the city was less robust then many countries in Europe and India. The highlight for me was Escadaria Selarón or Selaron Steps and the drawing/murals by Jorge Selarón. An artist wanting to give back to society by making art public, free and inclusive is the ultimate symbol of an evolved society.

Getting a vegetarian and vegan diet was a huge struggle. The vegetarian pizzas were disaster, subway provided no options of vegetarian sandwiches, Holy cow app was pretty ineffective and Indian food elusive. There was no options of tea available. Of coarse the fruits were fantabulous and if as a vegetarian/vegan you can eat them 3 times a day, you will be golden.

The flora of the City obvious and omnipresent. The green is interrupted by colorful and luscious orchids.

The best things about the city:

Gorgeously green landscape, magnificent beaches, green ocean

The not so good things about the city:

reputation of being unsafe(I was warned at the passport control desk when i landed in Brazil) language problem(be it road signs, contents of medicine, people in hospitality industry), food options

This trip for me was a bliss with a wonderful sister beside me and beauty all around.