YU-LING

The Champions Parade, with over a thousand participants, was made up of samba schools from different regions of Brazil. Each competing team had to overcome numerous challenges to earn the opportunity to perform before the judges and the audience. The grand final parade, during which the champion team was about to spectacularly emerge, began at 10 PM and lasted until 6 AM the following morning. It was a moment when I once again experienced the electrifying atmosphere of people collectively immersed in frenzy, reminiscent of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, back in 2012.

The bus system in Rio de Janeiro often left me confused. Buses shown on Google Maps often did not match the ones at the bus stops. Sometimes, buses that were not even listed on the stop would appear. This confusion eventually led me to choose an Uber to Tijuca National Park, setting the stage for a memorable adventure.

Having just arrived in Brazil in the morning, my body was still on Taiwan's midnight time, making me incredibly tired. The best way to combat jet lag is to adjust to the local schedule. After taking a shower, I compelled myself to step outside, letting the potent aromas of the streets and bustling traffic stimulate my senses. However, nothing was as revitalizing as visiting my dream destination: the "Royal Portuguese Reading Room" (Real Gabinete Português de Leitura)!