March 12, 2025
RIO DE JANIERO - Day 5 - Cinelandia Square, Selaron Stairs & Ipanema Beach
Our happy little group together for another day touring with Lucas on the bus. First stop, Cinelandia Square ( where it turns out Callie and I had walked on Thursday, when we went to clinic). This square was created for theaters back in the day, today only one remains, but there are several historical buildings lining it.
Next we headed to the Selaron Stairs or Lapa Steps in the Lapa Neighborhood. These world famous steps are the work of Chilean born artist Jorge Selaron who claimed it as "my tribute to the Brazilian people". Jorge worked on the 215 steps from 1990 till his death (a mysterious suicide) in 2013, installing ceramic tiles from over 60 different countries around the world, totaling over 2000 tiles. In the beginning Seleron used scrap tiles from waste throughout Rio. In later years tiles were donated by visitors from all over the world. Of over 2000+ tiles 300 odd ones were hand painted by Selaron depicting a pregnant African woman, who he only commented on that it was a personal problem from his past. Below photos from web, Selaron below painting on right in 2nd photo.
Our last stop was famous Ipanema Beach. Infamy came from song "the girl from Ipanema Beach" covered by so many, including Frank Sinatra. The young 17 year old, Helo Pinheiro, ( shown in last photo at 17 and 80 years) had no idea she was inspiration for song, until many years later. We walked to cafe she used to walk by everyday, on her way to beach. The waiters were super friendly and we had some beverages, before walking to grocery store and then back to beach.
