While here I'm helping my host Roberto to convert his house into Botafogo Heights B&B. It is an eccentric property with breath-taking views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, and lots of potential with its flexible layout. See more pictures of Roberto's house.
The garage in the basement is kitted out with mirrors and fancy lights, and doubles as a rehearsal and costume-making space for the local carnival club. I'm going as The Pope! We went past the float's 'graveyard' today and even though the giant displays have been left gathering dust they are still amazing and in such vibrant colours.
Yesterday we went to the Brasilian version of 'B&Q' and saw a display of 500 different toilet seats!
Everything is very expensive, even clothes, as there are high import duties. However the result is that because they do not have many cheap imports from China but instead manufacture stuff at home in Brasil, they are likely to weather the economic recession very well.
Roberto's house is halfway up a mountain, so to get home there are boys on motorobikes at the bottom who will give you a lift home for 2 Reals (75p). I have been helping Roberto turn a corner of the floor below into yet another guest room. He is ruthless and is even planning to let out a shed in the garden. But the weather is so warm, none of the houses need heating, and I've been sleeping with windows open all night.
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