Sun, Sand, and Guarana: My Journey Through Rio

When we think about Brazil, Rio instantly comes to mind — those famous beaches you see in movies, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and so many other iconic places.

I visited Rio in May, which is fall there, but the weather was still lovely — warm, sunny, and barely any rain. Coming from Europe, one of the first things that surprised me was how many residential buildings had high walls and gates. I’d heard about the crime situation in Rio before, and I guess those walls are a way to stay safe and prevent robberies.