tudo bem? - everything good?

I arrived in Rio this morning around 9am, but the lineup for immigration was huge, and even after the huge wait it still took forever to get my luggage. After that I headed up to find where to meet the shuttle I had prearranged. I think I just missed the shuttle, so I sat down to wait until 11 for the next one. When my driver showed up there was a bit of a kerfuffle over the hotel to drop me off at, and it turns out I really don't know enough portuguese to communicate. Tudo bem? which means everything good? thumbs up? 

Okay we got that sorted out and headed off. A few minutes later we stop in the middle of traffic. and pop the hood. hmmm, never a good sign. a couple minutes later we carry on again. but now we are put putting along so slowly, every other vehicle is flying by us. Then we stop again. Hmmm. This time my driver flags down a taxi, and I am transferred over to taxi. By driver pays the taxi and off we go. Tudo bem? 

We try to converse for the rest of the ride, but Portuguese is very challenging! My initial "tudo bem" lead him to believe I knew more than I do. 

Finally I arrive at the hotel, my room wasn't ready but i got changed and dropped my bags and headed down to the beach. So many people. So many umbrellas. So many bikinis and speedos. I walked for a while, but didn't dare go into the huge maze of umbrellas on the beach. that all just seems a bit overwhelming! 

I´m all checked into my hotel now, my roomate hasn't arrived yet. I think I am going to spend the rest of the day on the rooftop pool, that seems more relaxing than fighting for a spot on the beach. 

We`ll have a group meeting tonight and then tomorrow morning head out down to Paraty, which sounds much more relaxed than Rio. 

So for now, everything is very good. looking forward to meeting up with everyone tonight. 

Love to everyone at home. Its beautifully hot here! 

Talk soon!