The bf and I spent the weekend trying to fight off a cold, but boy, did we lose the battle. We both woke up this a.m. with a horrible cold.

Went to the doc, he says sinusitis and bronchitis too.

So, our plans to fly to Rio this week went by the wayside.

I hope those saunas stay open!

Saúde!

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, and hope the sauna managers had the foresight to take out a very generous trip cancellation policy on the both of you.

un-LUCKY. So, sorry to read. And I even toured the ancient Santa Luzia Church and the newly-reopened Paco Imperial today, thinking it might be interesting for you. Close to your hotel. Maybe should have lit a candle or two and said a novena. Well, it was a spectacular hot, clear, sunny day today. The restaurant and bistro in the old palace look quite nice.

So sorry to hear this. I hope you feel better soon!

So sorry to hear this. I hope you feel better soon!

Yes, I, too, empathize as well as sympathize with you and your partner. Hope you two can make it there during the months to come!!!!!

GET WELL SOON! Axiom :flowers:

Thanks, guys. You know how discomforting it is to have to give up a trip long-planned.

In order to avoid charges for using my credit card in a foreign country, I had the bf take up the offer for a Chase Sapphire card. Their first offer was 35,000 miles to sign up. A week later they offered 50,000 miles. (That's what each Rio ticket cost!)And no foreign currency fees!

We were worried that the card wouldn't arrive in time, but it came today, bittersweet it's arrival.

Lucky,

Let me also offer my sincerest "I'm so sorry" that you are not able to make the trip. This is now the second time in a row that you have had to cancel. Hopefully the dollar vs reis will improve a little more before you re-schedule.

Rain, rain, rain in Rio. At least that's what my weather.com page is showing each day. Whereas here it is 80 and sunny, but I still have a nasty cough that would keep even the most desperate boy away from me.

I left the house to take the 7AM boat this morning. Overcast skies and tempted fate not taking an umbrella. Wondered if I was going to be buying one from a street vendor. I chuckled when I saw my neighbor leaving their home with one. I knew that was a good omen. It always seems to be that when you forget it, it rains. Or you bring one with, beautiful sunny day. Well, this afternoon, the sun is not only out, but it is a brilliant day. The way the light hits the green of the hills in the serra surrounding Guanabara Bay is spectacular. The reflection of the rays off of the water are like diamonds splitting. A few fluffy white clouds and clean, pure air after the rain. Wishing you were here.

I can handle some rain, it's just the day after day stuff that wears me down.

Interesting theory on bringing your umbrella! If it fails you, try this:

Rio de Janeiro Weather...lots of "chances" of rain

Tonight: Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Tomorrow: Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

Tomorrow night: Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, becoming clear overnight. Low 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

Thursday: Morning sunshine will give way to isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 83F. NNW winds shifting to SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

Friday: Partly cloudy, chance of a thunderstorm. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 70s.

Saturday: Chance of showers. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 70s.

During the past two months, the overall weather pattern in Rio de janeiro has NOT been what I have been accustomed to during the spring. My friend and I had some outdoor plans completely ruined last month because of the "funky" weather, the rain, the low temps, the overcast skies and clouds....

When I read impguy's (sp) response about the umbrella, it brought back recent experiences for me. The day that we had planned to go to Santa Teresa via the bonde (which is out of commission due to the accident back a few months ago), it rained. I lent my umbrella to the cutie who Barr introduced and wrote about in another section. By his being so macho--he did not open it when the need called. I went without an umbrella for a while until I spotted some cheapos on the street and purchased one. Barr's and my amigo still did not use the one that I had lent to him.

Instead of our going to Santa Teresa, we went to Zona or Rio Sul Shopping Center and took in a movie. Our Brasilian friend stated that that was the way to spend time on a rainy day!

Any time I think about complaining about the weather here, I just have to remember what I left behind... Today, we'll be around 80 degrees with a 30% chance of thunderstorms. I've learned to enjoy riding my bike with the dogs in a little rain. I just have to concentrate on the potholes. And the rocks. People could fall and really hurt themselves. Oops, I did.

Local Weather Alert

Lakeshore Flood Advisory for Cook, IL

until 10:00 AM CST, Wed., Nov 30, 2011

Issued by The National Weather Service

Chicago, IL

Tue, Nov 29, 2011, 9:06 PM CST

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Updated Nov 30, 2011, 12:25am CST

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... LAKESHORE FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST WEDNESDAY...

* WAVES... 15 TO 20 FT WAVES TONIGHT WILL GRADUALLY SUBSIDE TO WELL BELOW 15 FT WEDNESDAY.

* IMPACTS... LARGE AND BATTERING WAVES WILL LIKELY RESULT IN BEACH EROSION AND FLOODING OF LOW LYING AND FLOOD PRONE AREAS ALONG THE LAKE SHORE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A LAKESHORE FLOOD ADVISORY INDICATES THAT ONSHORE WINDS WILL GENERATE FLOODING OF LOW AREAS ALONG THE LAKESHORE.