Taxi!

Carnaval has definitely started! We walked along the front from Copacabana to Ipanema today and it was great fun to see everyone participating in their own way. Some people go the full hog and wear costumes, but what's nice is that almost everyone wears a little something - a flower boa, a hat, coloured wig, mask etc, from oldies to babies in buggies. It rained all day unfortunately and I felt for all the guys who work the two beaches as it's a chance to make extra money and the beaches were almost empty today. It didn't stop all the street sellers though and they were out in force! We spent a good part of the day trying to find a plan B when all our floor and wall tiles weren't delivered as expected yesterday. The shop told us it would be next Thursday! Noooooo waaaaay! We eventually managed to find a man and van who was willing to collect them for us today and they should be there as I type. That took hours to set up! It was good to see more activity in the flat today too, five workers as opposed to one sleeping lad yesterday, the bathroom wall now up and pipes and tubes are starting to appear in the walls. Made our Saturday visit to the local shop too to pay our account for this week's materials. We're both feeling a bit weary! Tomorrow morning at 9am we have a meeting with the boss of the project as he works out of Rio during the week, but he should soon be in our flat full-time soon....or so he says. Now though, out for dinner in our new area as we're in a different hotel for the four days of carnival. Fingers crossed for sun for tomorrow!