Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire eat your hearts out

FLYING DOWN TO RIO by Lucille Bellucci Dear Mom and Dad, Remember that old movie we watched on TV? Ginger Rogers never showed a bead of sweat, even when she was dancing for hours with Fred Astaire. In December around here 90 degrees is a cool day. The Brazilians think Flying Down To Rio was a funny movie. And they always laugh when somebody who makes a big heist in a movie buys a one-way ticket to Rio. From what Hollywood turns out, you'd think this country was full of robbers hiding from the law. But I do know one, though. He held up a train in England and a man was killed. I met him at a party and he was very nice. No, Mom. He didn't get too friendly with me. Besides, his wife--she's Brazilian--was there. I bet Anna Maria never gets to meet ex-train robbers in Chicago. I think I got the better deal in this exchange student thing, but don't tell her that. For one thing, I'm pretty sure you won't let her drive. One of the seniors at school lets me use his Beetle. I was really flattered. Seniors don't usually take any notice of juniors. Dad, there's no need to get excited--I don't go out on the highways, just around in town--though that's kind of hairy in its own way. There aren't any STOP signs and you sort of go between crossing pedestrians. When I get home, Dad, you're going to see a new me behind the wheel. Don't start yelling, just kidding. Anyway, Fernando--that's my friend the senior--says nobody ever takes a car to the body shop until it's collected more than just a few dings and dents. Did I mention that I'm to be in a musical production at school? Rehearsals are at night. Fernando is letting me drive his car up there. You've seen pictures of the place, but you have no idea how far away it is from civilization. Why do Americans always pick mountains to build their institutions? The American School here isn't like P.S. 23 in Chicago. I feel sorry for Anna Maria having to go there. I'll try to write oftener, but you can always phone, after all. Anna Maria's parents are nice to me, but they have their own problems and they probably wish you kept close tabs on me so they wouldn't have to. I miss you both, but this is my year, right? Love, Lisa P.S. I don't have to make my own bed. The maid does that. Dear Mom and Dad, Don't misunderstand. I loved talking to you. That was just a bad moment to telephone, that's all. I was in the bathroom because it was the only place I could think of to get away from what was going on. The folks here were having another of their fights. This musical I'm working in plays like "Flying the Wrong Way to Rio." Last night there was a horrific thunderstorm just as I left the house for practice. In five minutes the streets were flooded. I had forgotten my glasses, and the windshield was fogged up because I had to keep the windows closed. Then my brakes got soaked and went out. I made it somehow to the home of the guy I had to pick up. I couldn't see him too well, even when I opened the car door. All I knew was this dark shape took a giant leap off the doorstep inside the car. I said, "Rick, is that you?" and he said yes. I had to take his word for it, things were so confused. I tell you, folks, you would have been proud of me. Lots of big cars were stalled, but my little Beetle never coughed once. Since we were going uphill I didn't need the brakes. A couple of hours later, after practice, they were almost as good as new. I went downhill in first gear, anyway. Listen, you'd better not call me after the end of next week. By then I'll be in new digs and I will let you know how to reach me. I thought I'd give Anna Maria's parents a break and leave them alone. I told them it's the same way at home in Chicago, and not to feel embarrassed. They acted relieved, but of course I promised to let them inspect my new place, if and when I can get Fernando to give me an answer. No, I am not going to live with him! I know I'm only sixteen. It's another place Fernando is inquiring about. I'll let you know. Love, Lisa Dear Parents, You didn't have to call the Headmaster! I was humiliated at being called out in the middle of class. After I hung up, Mr. Green asked me a hundred questions, as if I was going to be a case for the school psychologist. Why did you ask him what kind of person Fernando was? I only just managed to keep him from calling Fernando on the mat, too. I told you, I have nothing on with Fernando. The place I am moving to is a youth hostel, and it's not even too far from school, and you'll have the address and phone number as soon as I have them. It's near Fernando's home. He is rich. His parents are merely millionaires, in American dollars, not Brazilian reales. They live on another hill like the school, very grand, and the servants have a separate house, and then there's a sauna, and a swimming pool, and a special place for barbecues. I don't mean barbecues like we have at home, chickens and hamburgers on a charcoal grill with a lid. This is a pit ten feet long and they use Brazilian hardwoods and there are whole sides of beef and hundreds of sausages and chunks of different meat on long spits like swords. People stroll around in bikinis you can hardly see and there's always a servant at your elbow handing you a platter of food. I couldn't ever take our little grill seriously after this. Mom, I didn't exactly tell Anna Maria's parents your life's secrets. I only told them I understood, that is all. I was trying to make them relax. I apologized on the phone because I knew the Headmaster could hear me in the other room, but I don't see what I had to apologize for. All I've done was the best for everybody. Your daughter, Lisa Momma and Pops! I had a fantastic weekend! Fernando and his cousin took me to the cousin's ranch outside Rio on the family plane. The cousin is a bit older and he has a pilot's license. The plane was a single-engine and a four-seater, that's all I know, but what a great ride! I didn't realize Brazil has so much forest between the cities. All the big ranchers have planes, because the roads aren't all that good. And the ranch! It's either 10,000 acres or 100,000, I'm not sure which. Either way, it was so big I didn't see any cattle. They must have been somewhere over the horizon. The cousin's name is Carlos and when I first saw him I wanted to ask if he thought he was Snoopy or something. He had this long white silk scarf around his neck, with fringy ends. He's better looking than Fernando and I think he likes me, too. His mother is in Andorra getting their chalet ready for Christmas. He says he'll ask her to invite me there to spend it with them. I know it sounds like a fairy tale or something, like there aren't any poor people in Brazil, but it's kind of fun pretending everything in this world is perfect. Love, Lisa. Dear Mom and Dad, Carlos invited me to the Carnaval Ball at the Municipal Theater! The Municipal is the biggest and best in Rio, with the most fantastic costume contest. He says some of them cost ten thousand dollars. The whole city goes crazy getting ready for the biggest four days and nights of the year. Right after Christmas the drummers start practicing and the big samba schools already have their parade routines down. Why don't we ever do things like that in Chicago? Mom, you keep asking if I've made any American friends at the school. I'm friendly with three or four, but we don't have much time for each other because we're all doing the Brazilian thing. Isn't that what you sent me down for? Carnaval won't be for months yet, it's some time in February next year, but right away I started worrying about what I should wear to the Municipal. I asked Carlos if I had to have a costume but he says it will be too hot to wear much of anything. Some of the women get by with a few sequins pasted on. Imagine me doing that! Sequins and a loin cloth! Dad, don't choke. Can't you ever tell when I'm kidding?? love, Lisa P.S. Don't worry. ###