Fascination

Every Saturday morning two teams meet on Praia de Icaraí for a game that's fascinating to me.  It's Volley Ball, but it's played without the use of the hands.  Every serve, volley, and drop shot is executed with soccer moves--the head, chest, knee, foot.  I decided last Saturday that I would go downstairs, walk across the street, and film the 9 AM game of Futevôlei (FOO chee VAWL ee).

Before the game, the court is marked off in the sand with blue rope and stakes.
Three piles of wet sand on both sides mark spots
where the ball may be placed for service--
with a foot.

Grown men from 25 to 75 comprise the two teams.

Check out the action I was able to capture.  It's fascinating to watch their skill and the length of the volleys.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMRdRAz38ZA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The final score of the first game was 24-22.

The iconic MAC looks like a spaceship has landed
behind the Futevôlei court on Praia de Icaraí.

Strollin' Part 1

Cecilia and I took a walk with Daniel and I grabbed the camera on the way out the door.  Here are some images I caught while we were strollin' on Praia de Icarai.

Cecilia and Daniel are strolling on the beach side of the street.
Praia de Icarai is a very busy main thoroughfare in Niteroi.
It's lined with apartment buildings on one side
and Guanabara Bay on the other.

One of the streets that runs perpendicular to Praia de Icarai

Apartment Building with Patio Gardens

One of many vendors  on the beach,
this stand sells coconut water--
"Refreshing, Cold, Natural."

Coconuts piled up by each stand
are ready for a machete-wielding man
who, with three precise whacks, opens the fruit at one end
and hands it to you with a straw.

Coco Stand (1 of 7) on Praia de Icarai

Empties

A Stroll

Helping

Speed Walker

Sunbather and Cycles

Children play futebol barefoot in the sand.

Throwing In from the Sideline

A Dramatic Save by the Goalie

Volley Ball Camp

Coach explains the next drill.  In the shade!

Practice

Muitos Chapeus

Museo de Arte Contemporanea (MAC) overlooks life on the beach.
Will says with a frown that it looks like a spaceship.
I think it echoes the shape of all the cruise ships
that pass in and out of the bay.

A smoggy day doesn't keep sun worshipers away,
even though Sugar Loaf is shrouded.

Almond trees line the walk
and provide respite from the equatorial sun.

I like to stand in the shade and act like I'm all artistic with the camera.
Truth is, I'm just stopping for a little shade break!

Still, it is pretty when the sun filters through the leaves.

Apartment residents enjoy a shady breeze.

The beach is wide and the sand is clean.
Unfortunately, it's best to stay out of the water.

Shade

Life Goes On

Police are always present in front of Cecilia and Will's apartment.
Legends fly about the reason for their constant vigilance.

Lifeguard Station

Late Summer Sidewalk

There are plenty of games to play and watch.

Plenty of Skin to Bake--Young or Old

Boogie Boards

Almond and Coco

The End

From the Window

I'm sitting at Will's laptop early in the morning, staring out the window.  Busy white passenger ferries and heavy-laden cargo ships are already at work; and a fishing trawler is chugging under the weight of dragging nets.  It's too early for the sailboats that are docked in a marina tucked at the base of a mountain across Guanabara Bay--toothpick masts await bright white sails and a good breeze.  Large, graceful sea birds are the only thing sailing on the wind, at least on their own power.  In the distance, Christ the Redeemer seems to be blessing each bright jet plane as it ascends from take-off through the smoggy gray horizon.

This bayfront view is always in motion, even when you can't see the action on the beach at its edge.  Over the past 6 weeks I've taken some pictures from the window of apartamento #1102.  Want to see?

Something's always happening on the beach.
This Saturday there was a vendor carrying a huge net filled with beach balls.

Reminds me of the movie UP!
Only these are balls, not balloons.

Praia de Icarai is always colorful.

 One Saturday Cecilia called me to see the boat party happening out the window.

Perhaps a pre-Carnaval Party

All the watercraft floated in a group
while beach-goers enjoyed the live band onboard.

 Daniel and I had a date in the rede yesterday, and while he slept on my chest, I took some pictures of the late afternoon sun playing on the mountain outside our window.

Love the way the sun is playing on this lime-green foliage.

Bright and Shadow

Looks like a Giant poured a big bucket of bright color from the top
and it rolled down the side of the mountain.

And what's a Bay without sailboats?

Smooth Sailing

Sugar Loaf and the Bay

Blue and White

Hope you enjoyed looking at the view from the window!

With love--the Gringa