Dia 135 - Saturday April 23, 2011: Stranded in Rio at the Relaix & Chateau

We planned on a leisurely start to the day for arriving to a late seaside lunch, planning to reach up the coast an hour or two. Unfortunately or fortunately, with the car very fully packed and less than a few blocks on its way, the engine just cut out. Several times, it started but cut out in less than a minute: It seemed like a fuel cut out. The car was parked out of the way of traffic, but in the heart of the neighborhood. The car from California and our being there taking care of its breakdown were part of the lively street action. Many people came to visit with us, and touched or had their pictures taken with the car in the picture. A nice lady, who spent ages 17 & 18 in Hollywood doing design, spoke reasonable English and helped us navigate the information to get assistance. Two different mechanics confirmed my diagnosis but were unable to handle the repair on the spot. The second also had a flat bed for taking the car to the Porsche dealer nearby, but only on Monday. We are stranded, but what a place. Hotel Santa Teresa was able to accommodate us again. I think that Carol prefers being stranded in the Santa Teresa neighborhood of Rio better than being stranded at Emiliano in the Jardin area of Sao Paulo.

It turns out to have been a treat that we were stranded on a busy & quaintly picturesque street corner (thereby becoming part of the street action) in one of the youthful, artsy and happening parts of Rio. Notwithstanding the anxiety of figuring out and arranging repair, we enjoyed interaction with all the friendly people. We were a curiosity and approachable. People let us know they had been to or had someone in California. Some just wanted to know something about our experience re “LA to Buenos and Buenos to LA”. And we were a free event! Once the disposition was sorted out, the ladies went back to the hotel to make room arrangements and chill while Steve & I went across the intersection for Cabrito & Rice till the flat bed arrived. We provided a lot of action for the street to the amusement of all.

We had dinner near the scene of infamy in a pleasant Rio Bohemian restaurant with a great musical group. The accordion (lead) player was in ecstasy as he played. There were several impromptu guests especially what seemed to be a recognized guitarist that sang his heart out. The music had me tapping the whole time. The restaurant had so much business on this holiday that they ran out of most of their menu items!