Local Expert
Lucy Bryson
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and…
I was born in rainy Manchester, UK, but made my escape to sunny Rio de Janeiro in 2006. Since then it's been hard to keep me away from the city, although I've also travelled elsewhere in Brazil and South America. I'm a trained journalist and editor and have managed to fund my trips through combining my twin passions of travelling and writing - recent writing credits include updating chapters for Fodor's Brazil, Footprint Brazil and Footprint South American Handbook. I live high on a hillside in Santa Teresa - Rio's 'arty' district, and my one complaint is that I never seem to get time to visit the beach! Despite my lack of tanning time, I love Rio, and and have no intentions of returning to my wet and windy home city any time soon!
More
Happy hour at the blood bank!
It could only happen in Rio. A new campaign aimed at boosting the number of blood donors in the city has brought in samba and reggae bands to create a lively, nightclub-style atmosphere inside the city-centre blood bank.Each Friday until mid-September, those who wish to give blood can do so to the sounds of live music, and can dance away their fear of the needle as they wait their turn.
The action takes place during ‘Happy Hour’ – between three and five PM (once again, Brazilians have decided to loosely interpret the concept of an hour!) – and organisers say that the idea is for people to be able to have fun at the same time as giving blood. The line up of bands varies from Samba to Reggae via traditional Isreali music, and potential doners can choose which day they’d like to give blood in accordance with their musical taste. Ensuring that nobody misses out on the fun, there’s even a special performance of music accompanied by sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Want to do your bit and join in the fun? You’ll find the donor centre at Rua Frei Caneca 8, Centro. The ‘Happy Hour’ sessions run each Friday until September 12.