Chapter 4: Arrival in Rio
After a long flight from Minnesota, Jewel, Linda, and Tulio arrived in the city of Rio de Janeiro during midday. They than got in Tulio's jeep and they made their way to aviary where Tulio worked.
They were driving along the road that was next to the beaches, where Tulio was showing Linda the amazing sights. Jewel was quite nervous being in such a different place. It was so different from the quiet little town where snow grew in piles. Jewel tried to hide in her cage, but a sight of several birds made her look up and admire them.
Soon the jeep stopped at a stoplight and Jewel not paying attention was quite surprised when a couple of people in masks came up and were dancing.
"Wow, what's going on?" Linda asked.
"You just arrived in time for carnival." Tulio answered.
"Carnival?"
"Yes, it's the biggest party in the world, you know a time to dance and have fun."
Tulio than made some funny sounds and Linda laughed a little, but than noticed someone.
""Is she a performer?" Linda asked, pointing to a woman who was along the dancing crowd.
"No, in fact that's my dentist, Dr!" Tulio shouted.
"Hey, don't forget to floss, Tulio."
"You got it."
"Come tomorrow night and everyone will be dressed like that."
"No, not me." Linda said, not eager to dress like Tulio's dentist.
It was at this point that Jewel heard some noise coming from the top of her cage and looked out to see two small birds dancing and singing.
One of them, a yellow canary, saw Jewel and said some things in Portuguese, which Jewel did not understand.
"Oh, right." Jewel said, taking out a translation pamphlet, but in her nervousness dropped it and it fell out of the cage beyond her reach. "I am not from here." Jewel said, using her wings to get her message across.
"Hey, Nico, she is a tourist." The other bird named Pedro, a red-crested cardinal, told the yellow canary."
"Funny you don't look like one."
"Really." Jewel said, baffled.
"So are you here for carnival?" Nico asked.
"Actually I'm just here to meet a boy."
"Oh a boy." Nico said with interest. "Some little advice, Brazilian boys are quite tough, they play hard to get."
"Oh really." Jewel said uncertainly.
"Yeah, they only want someone who is pretty, not smart." Pedro added.
"But you are quite pretty, so you will have an easy time." Nico assumed Jewel.
"Right, well thanks." Jewel said still uncertain.
"Now let's get you out of that cage." Nico said to the surprise of Jewel.
"Yeah, I'm going to pop that cage open." Pedro added.
"No, no." Jewel started, but than Pedro started to throw his body against the cage to no effect.
"You call that popping." Nico said.
"That is tough." Pedro said, tried out.
"No really guys I'm okay, love the cage." Jewel said embracing the metal bars.
"Suit yourself." Nico said.
"Don't forget pretty, not smart." Pedro said before he flew off with Nico.
"Yeah, and good day to you." Jewel shouted after the two.
By the time Jewel finished this statement, the light had turned to green and the jeep was once again on its way to aviary where Jewel would finally meet Blu, the last male blue macaw.