I would say one of the most interesting parts of this trip is the two markets we visited. Let`s talk about the Hippie Fair first. It is not a very big market, but there are so many funny and cultural items. We visited on our second day in Rio, as being a tourist who still did not know much about Brazil at that time, I`d say it completely increase my understanding of Brazilian culture; how is Brazilian folk market looks like and how the local people behave in there as part of their daily life. Especially we learned how to bargain with the traders. Actually it is not strange with me because in China we often do the same thing; but also feeling interesting that you found it also works in Brazil, which is almost the opposite side of earth with your hometown. And I found it is challenging! It is not easy at all, especially when you barely know Portuguese and trying to convince them in your body language. But it`s funny at all.

  Speaking of there, The majority of people cannot speak English is part of my most impressive experience in Brazil. I`m really curious why they do not more positively promote the education of English. Because in my opinion being a famous traveling country which tourism is a large part to support its economy, promoting English will give more convenience and advance for sure. But that`s only a small question of my own, in all people are really nice there, you can always meet local people who can speak English help you to communicate with the trader, the restaurant etc.   People only speak Portuguese are fine as well without doubt.

  I really love those real handmade art pieces by the traders their own in Hippie Fair. Every one of them is different by the handmade, that making them unique. They do not like usual souvenir from the factory line which makes me boring. I really like the drawing map I bought from a really nice granny and the small house model from a old mister. 

  For the last day we visit another market, and that is a really meaningful experience as well. It tends to be even more local, as Venesa said we might be the only foreigners in there. And that is true. There is even more funny things. I love the small trolley with poetry. That`s new to me. All the poetries looks interesting and I wish I could read it. And Lulu tried the braid thing, it is so cool I wish I did it but there was not enough time. The market experience really broaden my understanding of Brazilian folk life.

I looked everywhere. No where, could the item I desired to collect, be found. One by one I scoured the hippie fair for a pair of well-made, fashionable flip-flops. They eluded me. Like the Sun and Moon which can never touch. Rotating on opposite ends of an invisible string that somehow, keeps them from drifting too far. Tent after tent, there was hand-crafted leather belts, hand-woven bracelets in a rainbow of colors. Green, Red, Blue, Purple, Black. Mixtures of some, mixtures of the others. I wandered by shops full of paintings on canvases of landscapes, architecture, favelas, the glorious human body in female and male forms. There were nick-knack stores filled to the edge with Christ the Redeemer carvings, key chains. More and more key chains. And when I thought there no more key chains to see, My expectations were shattered. More key chains. There were bird carvings, music CDs, coconut water kiosks, large sculptures of birds, elephants, people, etc…. The search went on.

Finally, I found them. A tent that specialized in leather work, and even more specifically, flip-flops. I gazed across the spectrum of styles and sizes. “Quento Custa?” I asked. The man standing behind the rows of leather feet liberators typed into his calculator. He held it up, the number showing was 75. 75 Reais. They wouldn’t even cost me 30 US dollars. What a bargain. I didn’t even want to haggle, I already felt like I was robbing the Carioca senior.

I picked my style, and the man asked me to sit so I could find the right size. I took off my current footwear and continued to size up the flip-flops. After two or three pairs that were a size or so too small, the perfect fit was found. I was the male version of Cinderella, and this flip-flip was my glass shoe. Perfect.