Why are We in Rio?

Brasil wasn't on our itinerary.  We wanted our South America experience to only include Spanish speaking countries.  And it's almost as large as the US.   And you have to have a Visa.  No way, scratch Brasil off the list.  Then we heard a whisper.  Brasil was calling to us.  Her wilderness initially beckoned.  Brasil was inviting us, selling us, wooing us.  Reluctantly, hesitantly we looked into a Visa.  The Brasilian Consultant in Argentina made it too easy, they were part of the conspiracy to change our plan - 3 hours processing time - no problem.  So, we worked on The Pantanal details.  And went.  Just for a little while.  And then we met the first of many Brasilian angels (more later).  Maybe we should see a city in addition to the wilderness, we thought.  Rio de Janeiro?  No way.  Everyone gets mugged there and you need a body guard at night.  Too scary.  Too much to lose.  And they speak Portuguese.   No.  We're going back to Argentina and getting back to the itinerary.  But oh what a seductress.  We're in Rio.  The Rio.  Copacabana.  Ipanema.  She's more beautiful in person.