Landing in Rio, even though I have been here before, excites me to no end. We arrive at our AirBnB on Copacabana Beach and our host meets us at the entrance. We spend about 10 minutes going over all our security requirements - they take our passports and copy them, take our photo and scan the pointer finger on both of our hands. This is how we will enter and exit the building, and although it’s a pain, I feel safe here already. And we are literally steps from the most famous beach in the world. Our flat is cute - we have two beds, a small table, a tiny kitchen and a bathroom. And we are a block from the beach. It will take minutes to get there. But the most exciting thing is that we are here for one month so we get to unpack. After living out of a suitcase for almost 2 months, putting things on hangers and in drawers is like heaven. We go grocery shopping, one of my favourite things to do in foreign countries, and buy all the staples we need for our stay. Finding coffee, soap, ziploc bags and fresh fruit excites me probably a little more than it should, but it’s nice to do something normal.
It’s been pouring rain since we got here, and on our second day in the flat, we are informed that there will be no power from 10-5 so we make plans to visit some museums. The first one, MAM, or Museum of Modern Art, is really quite confusing. I love art, but I just don’t get some modern art. One display had a record and its cover laid out and the information label said Record and Cover. I just feel like there are better things to see in Rio.
Our afternoon visit to Museo do Amanha (The Museum of Tomorrow) is much more interesting and worthwhile. It’s all about the future of our planet and how we affect the world we are living in. There are interactive displays that teach you about Earth, and I learn some interesting facts. For example, I didn’t know that gravity varies on our planet because it is not perfectly spherical. There is also an amazing video presentation, in Portuguese, but it doesn’t really matter. I lay on my back in a dome shaped room and the ceiling is transformed into a mesmerizing display of the power of our planet. That’s all I will say, because if you ever come here, you should go see for yourself.
One of my favourite displays has two pieces of fabric billowing in the wind over a platform which must be hiding a fan. The two white strips of almost glittery fabric whirl and swirl, meeting each other and separating in no particular pattern. The piece by Daniel Wurtzel is entitled Flows, and symbolized the dynamic interactions of light, air, water and land. This museum was more than just something to do on a rainy day - it has a message about how we are changing our planet, and what we need to do in order to prevent severe damage. It is definitly worth a visit.