Well I arrived to Rio!!! 25 hours on the bus really wasn't bad at all. I read (finished The Alchemist for the second time, very fitting since it's by a world famous author from Rio and about a boy traveling alone learning other languages and cultures), listened to music, studied more Portuguese... Slept. Then at one of the bus stops when we had a break a guy who was sitting behind me started talking to me fast in Portuguese. As usual when I don't understand I nodded and smiled. Then he asked me a question and I didn't know what to say. "você e brasileira?" (are you Brazilian?) he asked. I said, "Uuum, no." "Disculpe!!"(sorry) he said and he was SO excited to speak English with me. He called over another young guy from our bus to have coffee real quick before the bus left again. So for the last 6 hours or so of the trip, I spent practicing Portuguese with them (and English), listening to music, and making new friends :-).
So I'm staying with the couple that used to tutor me in San Diego (they wrote me a month ago that they reserved a room for me in their place). Theyre amazing!! They picked me up at the bus station and took me home... They live in Botafogo, a nice part of Rio, close to Copacobana and... I can see the famous mountain with Jesus (Corcovado) from the balcony! I have a room, and I was able to unpack my bags (leaving long sleeves and scarf and gloves IN the bags of course), and Maria Elena made beans ( She thinks its so funny I always want rice and beans), and meat and salad. They're so humble and nice and funny , we laugh a lot. I dont know how i ALWAYS get so lucky and find such amazing people... I always have "family" its great. It's raining today but I was able to use the neighbors old Cel phone and buy a prepaid chip, so now I can make friends and communicate locally. Maria and I are going to walk around and see the city and also see some of the English schools, theres quite a few here. Just to check and see if maybe they need a professor... Doesn't hurt to ask :-).
And TOMORROW night I'm so excited, theres a group meeting/party at a pizza place on the beach in Copacabana from the website CouchSurfing. I'm excited, there are a lot if cool people (Brazilians and visitors) who seem to ALWAYS be doing something: hikes, tours, beach, parties, etc. I don't think I'll be bored in Rio thats for sure!