Day 24 -- Rio de Janeiro 2

Today I planned as a quiet day.  After a late breakfast, I took the 10 minute stroll around to the nearest Metro station.  The subway system here is clean, fast and economical. For seniors, $2 anywhere.  The carriages are limited in seating but spacious for standing -- and the nearer the centre of the city you get the more crowded the train becomes.  20 minute run into the Centro.  Had to do some serious walking once there.  I first visited the old Church of Our Lady of Candelaria.  Legend says a chapel was built here by survivors of the ship Cadelaria caught in a huge storm in 1609.  Later under patronage of the Portuguese royal family a larger church was built, then added to in more recent times.  It has had political connections ( 1 million attended a Mass here in the Camposanto for direct presidential elections).  There was a massacre of streets kids here too in 1993 by police.  The parish has a special care for street kids and homeless people now.

Walked on then to the Museum of Tomorrow.  Free admission for seniors today, but I gave up on waiting to see the main multimedia exhibit after standing in a line for 30 minutes that hadn't moved.  Other exhibits were very well done.  On walk back to Metro, I took in a couple of parks and monuments.  Home to hotel mid-afternoon.  Had a nap.  Decided to go the the vigil Mass at one of the local churches.  Chose the 7pm "family Mass" at Our Lady of Copacabana -- a walk up 7 story building owned by the parish with the church on ground floor.  Nicely air conditioned.  The Mass took over 80 minutes; the homily over 25 minutes.  The celebrant might be a televangelist.  He had all the makings of it.  Preached walking up and down in front of altar with much gesturing.  No notes, just much drama of voice.  Hard to take when you don't understand a word of it.  Good singing by a small choir and congregation.  Took taxi there and back.  Strictly meters, and at $6.50 each way very reasonable.

Plan to spend a little time on the beach tomorrow morning, weather permitting.  I get taken to airport at noon.

Just a few photos today.  See them Here.