As I type this, I do so to the sound of Michael Jackson (Thriller) coming through the open windows from the neighbouring hostel across the way. They have been playing the same CD every morning for weeks. Luckily, after watching the movie ‘This is it’ I am left with greater (renewed) respect for the man who was a genius. At 50 he could still dance like a legend.

The last week since New year has been a mixed bag. The first few days were spent entirely at home, as Dani’s leg injury flared up with a nasty infection and huge swelling leaving her unable to walk and only able to have her leg up and resting. We got tonnes of videos in but barely watched them, prefering to lie around and chat, eat leftovers (which were amazing and lasted days) and receive visitors and listen to David Deida audio tapes which evoked even more chat.

Through Subhas’s artistic contacts we went to the Modern Art Mumseum to see Luiz Pizarro’s work (who we met and hung out with). His work is made in parafin with tourists photos of favelas. Really interesting method adn great show.

We also saw an exhibit of Sophie Calle’s outlining the responses of many women to her boyfriend who broke up with her via an email letter. Fascinating. More talk. Luiz madea good point. It would have been good to hear some men’s opinions to his letter.

On 3rd Jan 2010 I had a gret skate outing with Erika (Rio instructor), Subhas (old client, new friend) and Marcelo (an old flame of mine from Salvador who was in Rio for 4 hours in transit from Salvador to Angola to start his new work contract for a year). I got bikes for him and his mate Fred and off we went rolling through the most spectacular paths, parks and gardens, following the coast. It was seriously hot and I remembered why I normally skate at 9pm at night here. Interestingly their tarmac doesn’t melt so quickly as I’ve seen it do in London. If London was this hot the whole place would melt.

Dani and I also went on a short trip to Sao Paulo to a 50th wedding anniversary of her great aunt and uncle. We went one day and returned the next, spending time with Cisa the next day in her beautiful house. Flying into SaoPaulo is overwhelming, it’s city as far as the eye can see, diferent highrise centres all over the place. Driving around it is even strager. No landmarks, no features, just buildings and roads and people on their mobiles while driving really fast on 7 lane motorways….not my kind of place. It was great to meet more of Dani’s family and see how south americans really know the meaning of ‘family’. However the highlight of the trip to Sao Paulo was landing back in Rio, at sunset at the domestic airport right in the centre of town (which I have never flewn into before).The views of Rio were simply stunning. I have to thank Dani for these pictures as I was speechless and unable to work machinery.