The local tourist is now local in Rio de Janeiro for the next 2 weeks. Good-bye to New York winter and the transit strike, hello summer in the southern hemisphere.
Interesting occurrence on our first day on the beach today. I had been noticing a few people looking off down the beach at something, but thought it was the very big waves, which were breaking right on the shoreline. Then we saw a helicopter from out of nowhere come sweeping along the break, very low over the water. A lifeguard was perched on the strut, and as soon as the chopper got low enough, he dove dramatically into the water, followed immediately by a huge scoop-like wire mesh bucket with rope attached. There appeared to be 3-4 people already in the water just beyond the wave line, below where the helicopter was hovering.
Very shortly, the helicopter raised the bucket out of the water, and in it were two men standing on either side. At this point, I thought maybe it was a rescue drill, since both people seemed fine. Then I began to make out a body lying limp in the bottom of the basket. The helicopter slowly lowered the trio onto the beach at the shoreline, and the two rescuers pulled the body out into the surf, and drug it by the shoulders up onto the beach. They were far enough away from us that I could not tell the condition of the rescuee, who was quickly surrounded by the crowd that had gathered to watch the startling scene. Since I never saw an ambulance come, I assume the person was Ok. We think maybe they were just overcome by fatigue. The speed and efficacy of the well-drilled rescue team was quite reassuring.
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