Idris' Diary December 2006, Brazil "Rio! Finally in Brazil. I have my own bedroom and bathroom in an apartment shared with MK Wegman (NPN Executive Director), and Mica Garcia de Benavidez Organizational Manager of El Centro Su Teatro in Denver. The address of the apartment is 994 Avenida Atlantica on Leme Beach at the beginning of the famous Copacabana district. The apartment was right across from the beach. Yes, this was the real "girl from Ipanema" experience." Spending days and nights looking at performances all over Rio and finding time to lie out on the beach, walk the promenade and seriously party! Later in the trip I experienced the jet ride north to Salvador de Bahia where the festival continued. This was the place I always dreamed of! Salvador de Bahia!! The Pelourinho is a historical area with cobblestone streets, beautiful large women dressed in wide hipped white costumes looking like Brazilian princesses and queens. Tasting the food was amazing! The street vendors (or baianas de acarajé) are everywhere, usually dressed in white (the color of Iansã, goddess of the wind), serving acarajé which is basically a deep-fried "bread" made from mashed beans from which the skins have been removed stuffed with shrimp and all kind of delicious items and loving it! Saw and met the wonderful dancer Christine Moura . . . seeing her perform. Brazil was hot . . . sultry . . . sexy and amazing! I must return." [ photo gallery ]