Thaigo's place is great, as everyone can attest. He is very responsive to communications and requests of all types. His mom, Vera, takes care of most of the day-to-day operations around the house and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived. Despite her limited English and my nonexistent Portuguese, I always felt welcome and taken care of.

The house itself is, indeed, at the top of a pretty intense hill, but it's located in a great part of the city. It's about a fifteen-minute walk to the nearest metro station and about a ten-minute walk to the beach. Walk to the bottom of the hill in Babylonia, and you've got all of Leme and Copacabana at your feet. As far as the view, the pictures don't do justice -- 24-hour beautiful views of the beaches and Cristo.

I was somewhat apprehensive about staying in Babylonia at first, but I couldn't have felt more safe. If anything, I felt most safe inside the community, where everyone seems to know each other, where police are constantly patrolling, and where you may just encounter some impromptu street festivities or other backpackers. In short, any apprehension about staying in Babylonia is misguided -- I couldn't have imagined a better and more authentic place to stay.

I loved my time in Rio and the Rufinos made it possible! I can't wait to return to the city and will look forward to staying here again.