 |
Walking
along the beach is the best way to go
people-watching in Copacabana. You will
pass by tourists, athletes, beach bums
and beauties... Take your time and you
will spot the delivery boy killing time
under the tree while watching the gentle
surf break, the police officer sweating
in his boots and full uniform, the beach
masseur with an his almost-gone-to-sleep
client laying on the table... |
| Wearing
light clothes in the summer is a
question of survival. The temperature can
easily reach 40° C (around 100 F).
Shirts off and beach sandals are the
order of the day. Many guys roll their
T-shirts and tuck them into the back of
their Bermuda shorts. You do need to
cover up every now and then (like when
you take a bus or taxi, for instance). We
spotted these two making their way back
from the beach, oblivious to the loud
sign on the door of the go-go club. |
 |
 |
As we walk
further away from the beach we
finally start to run into fully clothed
people. Shopping or at least
window-shopping in Copacabana is lots of
fun. Most buildings along Av. Copacabana
and Rua Barata Ribeiro have stores and
other businesses on the ground floor.
There are also small neighborhood malls,
specialty shops and discount outlets. |
| If you are
one of those self-conscious women who
think you need cosmetic surgery before
daring to go out in a string bikini,
think again. The beach is Rio's most
democratic space and, to be honest,
nobody will give it a second though. But
then again, this does not mean you have
to go walking in the middle of the street
singing and waving your shopping bag to
cars... Even Cariocas draw a line, you
know. |
 |
