We hopped on the bus and got off at the correct bus stop. After walking around a bit, and getting frustrated I couldn't find it, I got the courage to ask. This trip is definitely making me more courageous and brave at speaking in front of people. Anyway, we finally found the right spot to catch the train and headed up! At one of the stops, a live samba band hopped of and serenaded us. 
Once we got to the top of the mountain, we saw something amazing - monkeys!!! They were so cute and surprisingly friendly.
After a monkey and me photo shoot, we kept on walking, and let me just say, Christ Redeemer and the view from the top were not too shabby either!
Once we has our fill of posing, it was off to Ipanema beach! We had a nice afternoon relaxing, drinking more agua de coco, eating acai, enjoying the views and people watching.
The easiest way to get back from Ipanema to my hostel, Discovery Hostel in Gloria, is via metro near Copacabana beach. The walk from Ipanema to the metro is nice and about 40 minutes. It was around 4pm, so we decided to walk. While walking along Copacabana, a girl around 8, stopped and turned to a few guys near us. She then tried to reach into one of their bags and take his stuff while talking to him - while her mother was there I might add. I find this so alarming. On one hand, I believe stealing, armed or not, is wrong, but on the other hand, are these kids just doing this to survive? I am not sure if I have "rich man's guilt" (I would hardly call myself rich, by American standards, but when I come here, I don't know) and feel bad for these kids or if I am just being scammed by people with bad values. I want to believe in the best, but when I walk around in constant fear of being robbed again at knife point, it is quite difficult. Is this a government issue? I really have no clue. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Anyway, I want to get up fairly early for some marketing so Tchau for now!!
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