The River of January and the Hunchback

As it was explained to us today, when arriving at the mouth of the bay one January day, when they first came to this country, sailors assumed they were following a large river. They were wrong, but the name stuck. This morning, in the city of the River of January, we are on our way to Corcovado (translated, "The Hunchback") to see the statue of Cristo Redentor.  Construction began in 1922 to celebrate 100 years of independence. It was concluded nine years later. 

From Corcovado, we will go to Sugarloaf Mountain, and then proceed to opening ceremonies at Copacabana Beach this afternoon. It is foggy today, and trying to rain, but little seems to extinguish the enthusiasm of the thousands of pilgrims swarming the city. On my left a

group is chanting "Esta es la juventud del Papa!" (We are the Pope's youth). From behind a regular refrain of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oy! Oy! Oy!"  fills the sidewalk. We in the meanwhile, are waiting for a train. I'll post more later when I have photos.