Hello all.  A ten hour flight from Dallas to Rio, after a five hour layover in Dallas, takes something out of you.  However, I am here, safe and sound.  I sat with Eduardo on the flight, a Carioca (Rio native), who praised my choice to stay in Santa Teresa.  Santa Teresa is a bohemian section of town where, I am told, the artists and intellectuals took hold years ago.  I took a walk around the neighborhood and clearly I am not in Philadelphia anymore.  I am out of my safety zone, which is good for me.  My hostel has Brits, Germans, and Brazilians in it and no one is here yet (Carnaval kicks off on Friday).  Fun.  I look forward to talking, as best I can, with all of them.  My Portuguese is bad, however I´m trying.  Once I get my bearings, I´ll share more.  Ate logo.