O Ouebra-Nozes

On the 23rd, we went to see "O Quebra-Nozes"  and that would be translated as "the cracker nut" or The Nutcracker.  The Rio de Janeiro professional ballet and orchestra combine to put on this annually and it is one BIG production.  Jen's Mom, Fa, who had just gotten to town, joined us to go to the ballet.

 They were happy to see one another.  and prior to going we had sandwiches at the same little restaurant in the town square that we enjoyed a couple of days ago when we visited the museum also on the square and across the street from the Theatro Municipal.

 It was built in 1909, renovated in 2009 and is all about trying to be and succeeding at being grand.

 Here we have Fa, Jen, Patt and another friend on the stair way to one of the levels of box seats.

 The balcony levels were somewhat showy.  Lots of artwork and stained glass windows.

the whole atmosphere was inspiring. 

 Heavy marble balconies and ornate chandeliers.  If it could be ornate.  It as very ornate.

This is the view off one of the exterior balconies from the front looking over the town plaza and the yellow building on the far corner right is where we ate our pre-game - ballet meal.

 Of course I went to the top level for a view, though I did not go to the top row, just the entrance door.

 and looking from the upper level inter lobby balcony in to the main lobby

 The main hall from the main floor where we were seated.  The ballet and music was fabulous.  We were just astounded at how good it was.  The chorus during the snow princess dance was awesome, and the various dances were - well we were impressed.

 It is a professional company that has been in existance a very long time and the costumes and productions was something to see.

This is the view from our seats -- Jens Aunt is the stage manager of the dances or productions manager or some such title that basically tells which dancer where she or he stands / enters and when amongst the various groups.  She also directs rehearsals.

after the show, Jen's aunt, on the left, Celeste, Dalal Achcar the Director of the Ballet and the director of Fa's former dance school Fa and Jen backstage -- Yes, we are backstage.   Immediately after the show we went backstage and were there while they were taking curtain calls.  Fa and Jen were quite the an attraction backstage

 and here is Fa talking with the jester;  she had danced with him in the past at some point.

 and I do believe I have seen holiday decorations like this before.

down town to the art museum

-

Jen, Patt and I went into downtown historic square part of Rio a day or so ago with Raleigh to walk around the promenade and see the museum and enjoy the city - it was hot but we did enjoy the day

 This is the refurbished theater, which we will come back to in order to see the Nutcracker performed.

 I mentioned it was hot and Raleigh was a real trooper, putting up with the heat and enjoying the ride.

 The museum was full of marble statutes - like from Rome or Athens or somewhere like that

 And there were some huge massive paintings like this one of the famous Second  Battle of Guararapes near Recife Brazil between the Dutch and the Portuguese in 1649.  (I did like the "big art" that they had) (and they did go in for the large paintings.  The figures in the painting were larger than life scale)

 Afterward we stopped for a cool drink

 and a visit with the Grandparents 

 in a cute little place on the square.

 and then headed down the promenade to get a cab home.

Art lesson number one for grandson accomplished.

A day at the beach.

-


Did not know if you were aware that here in Rio it is summer and I do believe it has officially started.  The temperature says 34 degrees so it must be and we have sand between our toes.  This is at LeBlon Beach, just south of Ipanema Beach - or perhaps west, I do not know.

It is beautiful.

 And the waves are quite fierce.  Stephen and I actually waited until they calmed down somewhat prior to going swimming and we did not go out beyond the breakers!  Waves like that one just about crushed us while we were playing in that water- but I liked it.

 There was also other scenery in the neighborhood I noticed on the way back to our seats.

As is obvious we were comfortable, shade, scenery - already mentioned, big rolling waves, ocean, occasional cruise ship going by and the idea of resort comes to mind.

 The beach is very broad, sand soft - and hot- after all it was at least 34 degrees in direct sunlight with clouds over the mountains behind us.

 Patt considers another cold drink

 Yes, she decides on another

 and my goodness but he did make a strong Caipirinha --lime sugar and cachaca- (a Brazilian vodka from sugar cane).  We had a very good day at the beach.

Just a photo of Grandson Raleigh (or two)

-

Lest you forget, we have a grandson here in Brazil who just happens to be mighty cute.  He quickly recognizes and likes his grandparents very much.  This pleases me a lot.  

-

 And of course he knows where the camera is 

 and gives that really cute smile often followed by a laugh

 we are working this week on learning to crawl, but are just now getting up on all fours.

 which leads to a tottering movement from which he has learned to launch himself forward.

 and the obligatory hammock photo of the day.  On this day Raleigh just tipped over and went to sleep.

Cristo Redentor

-


I reckon if I wanted a to make a catch your breath blog or something this would be it.  But first things first.  Check our last blog.  out our window is the famous, iconic to many, symbol of Rio,  Christ the Redeemer Statue which is quite strikingly visible day and night outside our apartment.  Today we went up to the huge (130 feet tall) statue which I have learned is the fifth largest statute of Jesus in the world, and perhaps the best known?)  - anyway it is big

It is quite impressive and the day was beautiful.

What really made this extra special and so unreal is set off by the photo below.  We had spoken earlier in the morning with Laura and had gotten the wonderful news about John Paul's surgery and how well things seemed to be going for him.  Laura mentioned being able to look out the hospital window and see the statue that is right over Julianna's right shoulder.  That would be Mao of course and I do not think it is one of the largest but it is pretty large.  

We of course were at the same time able to look out the window of our apartment in Rio and see the Christ the Redeemer statue reminder and are so thankful for answered prayers for our grandchildren and children.

That would be just a fraction of Rio behind the four of us from the courtyard around the statute

 Some of the tourists that were with us at the mountain top

 and our apartment is to the left side of that middle stretch of green overlooking that patch of city invading the left center.  Our address is Rua do Oriente 314 apto 106 Sta. Teresa 20.240-130 Río de Janeiro.  Copy that address into a google map address bar and you can see where we are. Google maps are incredibly accurate here.  Most of the cabs have google maps on their dash boards or use their phones in order to find places.  

 There in the center is the statue of the Christ from our apt window

and in the upper left.

outside our back window

Our apartment while street level in the front is actually 12 or 14 stories high in the back - perhaps more, (I have not seen it from the back).  The however view is outstanding.  I keep hoping for a clear day for photographs as that little cross figure on top of the mountain there is the famous statute of The Christ that overlooks Rio de Janeiro.  

 There buildings and houses are just hung on the hillside and streets do switch backs to go up the hilll, occasionally going straight up (or down)

It is quite interesting to watch all the activity going on along the street, there are some

fancy catley looking houses, (well this is the only one)

and then at night it looks very different

 see what I mean

I a sure I will have some more photos from here 

 also I am sure I will have more photos of grandson Raleigh.  He an I enjoy the hammock that is in our apartment.  We do spend serious time in it as he does seem quite content in it with me.

 See what I mean.  Even if this is not the most flattering photo of me.  the two of us were having a grand time -- he had just finished a bottle-- and all was very very well with the world and I thought so too.