Rio De Janeiro. Voce tem um mapa?

Alright, I made it safe and sound through the flights. Arrived yesterday at noon Brazil time(about 6 hours ahead of Alberta). These first 24hours here have been an eye opener for sure. Very beautiful, very busy and very humid. When I arrived at my host house, to my surprise, I had a whole unit to myself not just a spare bedroom. Lena (the host) and I had managed to charades through showing me around the place and the details on how things work. Then it was a big hug and kiss and she left me to fend for myself. I tornadoed through the apartment as I made my way to the shower, bag dropped, clothes peeled, and was cooled off in seconds. Aaahhhh. I wanted to try to get a grasp of where I was and how to get about so I moseyed around the streets, alley ways and shops trying to find a map of the city. Not one could be found, nor did my limited portugese help me any...I could say Gustaria de um mapa. and I understood Nao. But as so many tried to help and explain to me where I COULD find one I became lost in their words, nodded my head, thanked them and kept on my search. Stopping every so often at a cafe for a soda, or a grocerers for a banana, I made my way back to my new home, where I found that Lena had slipped a map under the door for me! haha A very large not detailed map of the whole province of Rio BUT a map just the same. So I have maneuvered my way to some of the parks, zoo, a circus, and the main tram/bus station -hooray. No pictures just yet, but soon. Big time love. -M