From Carnaval to Christ the Redeemer
What Rio gave me — even when I didn’t want to
#12
There was only one destination on this six-month journey I was truly hesitant about — and that was Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval.
This stop was a bucket list item for Tim. At one point, he hoped to go with a friend, but when that didn’t pan out, I chose to go with him instead.
Since we were making our way towards our second cruise out of Buenos Aires, Argentina, stopping in Rio made sense as we traveled from Aruba. Once I moved through my resistance, I shifted into a neutral mindset and holding space for a highest and best outcome. I expected chaos, crowds, and noise… and decided to stay open.
One major highlight? My beloved brother Scott was able to meet us there! He’s a pilot for United and picked up a trip with a Rio layover — so he got paid to be there, and we got 24 hours together. This was a top moment for me, second only to seeing my son in Belize at Christmas. I have missed seeing my younger kiddo, but in the meantime, I will take whatever family time I can get. I told Tim: you’re my gift every day, but seeing my brother was like a present on Christmas morning.
We flew overnight from Aruba to Rio (through Panama City) and arrived without hassle. I’m able to find good flights on a particular website that gives me all the airlines and options when I put in the destination with prices and flight times. It’s quite convenient! Because of Carnaval, hotel prices were high, and we chose one in walking distance to my brother’s hotel — no gym, but we could use his (and it was great). Our included breakfast was outstanding — tons of protein, delicious baked goods, and enough fuel to get us through most of the day with just one other meal. A win for both budget and waistlines.
Another unexpected joy: Tim reconnected with a man he met a few years ago in Buenos Aires — Mateo — who drove in with his girlfriend to meet us. They spoke no English, so we relied on Google Translate and a lot of smiling. It was fun and funny to speak with them this way!
Our Uber from the airport to the city was an adventure of its own. After waiting over an hour, our ride finally showed up — in a car that had us praying it would make it the 45 minutes through Rio traffic. No air conditioning, packed highways, and vendors darting between cars selling food and drinks. I was overdressed and under-hydrated, and the heat hit hard. I used every energy practice I knew to stay balanced. I’m also tired of lugging my three bags around. Tim is essentially using just one of his bags at this point and doesn’t even open the other one.
But we made it!
Our hotel was just a five minute walk from Copacabana Beach and perfectly located to see my brother the next day. That night, we went to buy tickets for the Carnaval parade that is held in an 80,000-person stadium about 30 minutes outside the city. The scene walking through Rio was wild — costumes everywhere, drums, glitter, crowds. We waited two hours in line for tickets, boarded a shuttle, and arrived at the stadium around 9 PM.
Tim had pictured Carnaval to be more of a street party vibe (like New Orleans), but this was a massive production. Eight different regions each had their own themed floats, costumes, and music — and each parade segment lasted 45 minutes. We stayed for the first two, then headed back and landed at the hotel around 1 AM. I was beat. We weren’t able to connect with Mateo and his girlfriend due to communication errors, and later we found out they stayed until 7 AM.
With no real expectations, I enjoyed the experience though I didn’t love it. Tim, who had been super excited to see this, left a bit disappointed. Still, it was a bucket list moment fulfilled.
The next day brought pure joy: my brother arrived! We spent the day catching up over beers on the beach, a rooftop swim with stunning views, and a high-end dinner with cigars on the sand to end the day. It was one of my favorite days of the entire journey.
While Tim and Mateo explored the city the next day, I had lunch with my brother before he flew home. That afternoon, I joined the group and we headed to a beach farther south — filled with music, dancing, and… unfortunately… very few bathrooms. The smells from the street partying were rough. I was grateful for my grounding practices once again and walked around any running streams in the streets.
We ended with a lovely dinner, using phones to translate and hearts to connect. No shared language needed. Hugs and smiles and nods got us far, and we were very grateful to have connected with them.
The next day we booked massages in the morning at the hotel where my brother had stayed as it had a great reputation, and we did a couples massage that was outstanding. The exchange rate was in our favor so it was not as expensive as in the States and was very much needed after all the movement and travel over the past few weeks. We then took a tour to - you guessed it - Christ the Redeemer! Augh! An incredible Wonder of the World, and the small tour bus that we took showed us many highlights of the City as well. Lots of crowds but it felt manageable, and the tour guide was excellent. What a spectacular day to be sure.
In the end, I was so grateful to have seen Rio and experienced all that we did. It turned out better than I had expected, and there were many happy memories made there with special people. Certainly a one and done destination for us, and I gave props to Tim for pushing me outside of my comfort zone. I never would’ve chosen Rio during Carnaval on my own. But I’ve learned this: I don’t always need to be the one choosing. I need to be the one showing up. It gave us more than I expected — not because it was perfect, but because we showed up fully for it.
I’ve become an excellent navigator — not just of flights and bookings, but of energy, emotions, and experiences. I book the tickets. I figure things out. And Tim anchors me — as I do for him. Life, it turns out, is better shared.
This one city gave us so much. Laughter, sweat, connection, surprise. Stretching beyond what was comfortable. And in doing that, we made space for memories we’ll never forget.
So here's what I want to offer you: try something that scares you a little. Do the thing you’re unsure about. Go somewhere you wouldn’t have chosen.
Even if it doesn’t become your favorite — it might become your teacher.
We were in Rio from March 1–5. Next up: two days in Buenos Aires, followed by a 14-day cruise ending in Chile. We’ve now been on the road for over five months, slept in 30+ beds, taken countless flights — and are still letting go of old versions of ourselves.
When you move this much, you realize: the small stuff just doesn’t matter.
But the growth? The memories? The way you expand?
That matters. And then you take it forward.
Next stop: A 14 day cruise to the end of the World!
To your highest and best,
Dianna
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