Rio de Janeiro and The Time of My Life

Brazilians call this jewel "a Cidade maravilhosa", the marvelous city. It is worthy of its name and so much more.

I lived and worked in Rio de Janeiro for five years, and even though this was years ago, my memories of it are still fresh and vivid. This magical city must be experienced to be believed and understood. It's hard to describe its essence.

It serenely lies amidst the majestic hills, and endlessly flourishes in its people and the very air and sea that hugs its astonishing beaches and beautiful people. It playfully dances in the Sun, bathes in crystal waters of the ocean that gently refreshes and invigorates, and it sings with pride, soulfully painting its inhabitants' organic lives with splendid, flamboyant shades of undiluted magnificence.

Rio is home to Bossa nova, a lovely fusion of samba and jazz that was born on its' streets in the 50s and 60s, and it became one of the biggest world sensations. Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobim, and Marcus Vinicius de Moraes were its primary creators. In 2005, one of the biggest Bossa nova hits of all times, Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) was named one of the 50 biggest humanity's works of music. Bossa nova National day is celebrated on the day of Tom Jobim's birthday, January 25th.

"Coisa mais linda" (Girls from Ipanema) might still be available for viewing on Netflix. It is a great show that nicely describes the essence of Rio in those times. The same type of feeling still permeates the Carioca spirit today. The Netflix series describes birth of Bossa nova and its triumph while passionately playing with the main characters and theatrically portraying loves and lives of true Cariocas in the day. Watch it if you would like to get a genuine taste of Rio and its marvels. I have brushed up on my Portuguese quite a bit while enjoying this delicious treat every evening.

I am trying to paint a picture of a city so delectably unique that no words can truly illustrate, because it is not only a place, but a pure, enduring emotion. Rio is love, lust, sensuality, striking beauty, genuine passion for life, glittering beaches, magnificent hills, lavish parties, and a heartfelt, real communion of spirituality and physical life in all of their glory. It is an overpowering ambition and an electrifying stride to success.

It's authentic, genuine world moves in sync with real life on a journey to self-discovery, without fear, rejection, or regret. Everyone in Rio simply accepts and celebrates whatever comes and whoever they are, they do it without judgment or prejudice, and they always do it with a smile. Its captivating essence still lingers in all of my senses, years after experiencing it while living there.

This transformational contact has matured in me over the years into something truly amazing. The older I have gotten, the more profoundly I have been able to feel its effects, and the richer this feeling has become. It is one of the most amazing places on our planet, and Cariocas celebrate its beauty every single day.

Apart from independently enjoying Rio's sunlit sidewalks, delectable restaurants with heavenly menus, fresh coconut water on the beach, mesmerizing sunsets, and the most amazing Acai with strawberries and banana that leaves you energized for hours, Rio is still best experienced in their company, because Cariocas are this city's true heart and soul.

Born and raised on its streets and in its waters, Cariocas are the most delightful, affectionate, and joyful people. They are fun-loving, friendly, cheerful and full of enthusiasm, warmth, and passion. They are also intense, sultry, spirited, and giving; True believers who live their faith. Filled with kindness, grace and humility, they never surprise you with arrogance or rigidness.

Their personality and that of the city itself, blend so well, that one cannot be known without the other. Only when allowing them both to get under your skin, which happens whether one likes it or not, a foreigner can experience the genuine charm of both of their souls.

The longer I lived in Rio, the more I learned about humility, real connection to nature, and true softness of the heart. This culture thrives on letting themselves feel everything as profoundly as possible. They live without fear, and they do not hold back. The intensity of their emotions and their love for the city vibrate so strongly that it is almost impossible not to feel completely and utterly invigorated and reenergized by them.

I was very lucky to have been infused with a small but valuable portion of this intangible and at the same time, very palpable energy. I have been even luckier to have carried it inside of me to this day. Knowing Rio and learning Portuguese has enriched my life tremendously allowing me to experience a culture that feels life without hesitation.

Cariocas live what they believe in, and I wish that I were older when I found myself in this country. I would have experienced the city way more profoundly, and I could have learned way more from this magnificent culture. However, great memories and my love for this place that have matured like wine, are what continues carrying its mesmerizing beauty far and wide. My true understanding of its grace that only matured with age is what gives Rio a very special meaning.

After all, some experiences are better defined in time, and for me,

Rio is certainly one of them.