From the time I walked into her home, Diana was the perfect hostesss. Shortly after I put my bags down I was greeted warmly, offered a cold drink then shown my room. Diana's home is most welcoming, stylishly decorated in an understated way, clean, and it became my "home away from home" for 4 days. My room was spacious, the bed comfortably firm, the room appropriately outfitted, and the windows allowed one to look and hear the sights and sounds of the street eight floors below. An A/C unit is at one's disposal when needed. I was the only guest during my stay so the guest bathroom, which was clean and bright, was at my complete disposal. The apartment building has a doorman who opens the gate to the building, assists residents and guests, and can be requested to call a taxi as required. I was given a set of keys to Diana's home, and the coming and going was easy, convenient and without fuss. Diana's building is so well located one can walk to either Copacobana or Ipanema beach within 5-15 minutes, respectively. Restaurants, a grocer, banks, various shops, pharmacies, and a shopping mall are within easy walking distance. Having found out that it was my first time in Rio de Janeiro, Diana offered to bring me to the artisans market which was open only on Sundays and was a block or two north of Ipanema beach. After a few turns around the stalls, Diana suggested we go for lunch at a resto which served a buffet and was frequented by locals. Surprisingly, the cost of the tasty meal was based on the weight of the food on one's plate. I would not have known of or experienced these two places had Diana not taken me under her kind wing. On several other occasions, Diana went out of her way to make me feel at home and welcome. I felt more like a member of her family than a guest. She told me of two spots on both ends of Copacobana beach (e.g., Copacobana and Leme Forts) that I should take time to visit. I took her advise and was pleasantly surprised by what these sights had to offer. One evening Diana suggested we go out and listen to some bossa nova, samba or Choro music played at a local bar. Off we went and at Bip Bip (a "must see/do" in Rio), I had a most wonderful time watching and listening to musicians come and go, and who played their instruments to their hearts' content. Again, this would have been a missed opportunity had Diana not made the suggestion. The short stay at Diana's place was the perfect way to discover and experience Rio de Janeiro, particularly after a long and extended journey through South America. Her home and her hospitality are just what you need when you want/need a friend in a new city that is both colourful and overwhelming. Many thanks and much praise to Diana...