Rio de Janeiro - Number 25

The rhythms and aromas of Rio de Janeiro call to me now the way the art and vie boheme of Paris called to me as an adolescent. There are certain places in the world that fascinate every one of us, places where we know we must go even when we don't really know anything about them. I know some things about Rio - the usual things: Ipanema, Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, samba... I know the postcard Rio, and I'm totally okay with that. In fact, I collect vintage postcards of Rio, perhaps thinking that these images will somehow unlock the mystique that I feel about the place. Oh, and then there's the Bossa Nova obsession - any recording from Brazil in the early 1960s is more than likely on permanent rotation on my iPod. I honestly don't think there's anything more romantic than the song "Corcovado" - listen to the version sung by Astrud Gilberto on the live album "Getz/Gilberto #2". I've practically taught myself Portugese from listening to these songs so much. And movies? Let's just say that Black Orpheus is one that I've owned for a while.

It's true, I want to see all the sights, walk through the surf, smell the air - everything. But for me, the Royal Palms of the Botanical Gardens will be a must. The palms date from the reign of Dom Joao IV, whose son Dom Pedro I opened the gardens in 1822. Not that I'd pass up the orchids, water lillies, or abrico-de-macaco trees, but I can imagine myself  lolling along under the palms without a care in the world...I can't explain it - I just have to go there.