In Rio to see the Pope? Visit Abricó beach!

Young people from all over the world are coming to Rio de Janeiro to see the Pope. Saturday July 27 will be the Prayer Vigil at Campus Fidei, em Guaratiba. Sunday morning the Pope will say Mass at the same location, which as he requested is in one of the poorer neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro.

Guaratiba is poor, and far away, and lacks transportation and other public utilities for the  1.5 to two million people expected. The suggested means of reaching Campus Fidei from the closest train station is ... walk. For 13 kilometers. Monday the 29th is a holiday until noon in Rio de Janeiro: there is simply no way to insure people will be able to travel until then.

While it's winter in Rio, it's a tropical winter. Many young people, facing hours of walking, pedestrian traffic jams, or loaded trains and buses, may think, "Let's go to the beach and wait for things to untangle!" That excellent idea brings up two problems: How to find the beach? And what about a bathing suit?

Fortunately, there's a simple answer to both questions. Rio de Janeiro's nude beach, Praia de Abricó, is only 10 km from Campus Fidei. Go east along Avenida das Américas. When you get to Estrada Roberto Burle Marx, turn right, toward the sea. When you reach the Estrada do Grumari, turn left.  The road will take you to one end of Grumarí Beach. Go to the other end, and there's Abrico Beach. While the whole area should be well policed for the Pope's visit, it may be safer (and more fun) to go in a group of a dozen or two.

Peace be with you! 

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