Latest news with #ChristtheRedeemer
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Is Victoria Falls in Decorah, Iowa? Here are the details on Iowa tourist destinations
Where are the best tourist destinations in Iowa? A popular social media account, Iowa Chill, had a few suggestions in a recent post for an Iowa summer bucket list. But there's a catch: The destinations aren't actually in Iowa. Victoria Falls, Decorah was number one on the list, which had folks scrambling to find the location of the so-called Iowan waterfall. Well, we hate to break it to you, but there is no such place. You can find plenty of tourist attractions in Decorah, Iowa, including an ice cave, Dunning's Spring Waterfall and Malanaphy Springs Falls. But no Victoria Falls. Along with sharing Iowa-related news, Iowa Chill is known for their Midwestern-themed memes and satirical content. As much as we wish any of the five tourist destinations in the post: Victoria Falls, the Eiffel Tower, Christ the Redeemer and more existed in Iowa, we all know they don't. The waterfall featured in Iowa Chills video is an actual place. It's just nowhere near Iowa. Located on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, right at the border between the African countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@ or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Is Victoria Falls in Decorah, Iowa? What to know before you try a trip
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This small North Idaho town kept to itself. Then a Christian nationalist church asked the U.S. Government to intervene
May 24—TROY, Idaho — The streets are usually calm in this town of less than a thousand people a dozen miles east of Moscow. With the exception of a historic lumber mill, the city has, for the most part, remained quiet. But a couple of years ago things changed when a Christian nationalist church asked the U.S. government to help them establish a congregation within the city. "I sent an email to the Justice Department," said Matt Meyer, an elder in the Christ the Redeemer church. "I said, 'I want you to be aware, according to your law, and if you're interested in this stuff — I think I'm being discriminated against.' " Years ago, Meyer felt like he was asking something relatively simple of the city: He wanted the city of Troy to approve a conditional-use permit for his building, an old bank-turned-event center on Troy's main street, so his church could host events and Sunday services for 80-150 people. The church had been established in Troy so worshippers wouldn't have to commute to Moscow. Instead, the city denied his request on the basis of its zoning code, which prohibits any church from establishing itself in the two-block radius of its downtown business district. The reason for prohibiting churches within those two blocks is to encourage more business to open in a district that was shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the city's denial states. Meyer wasn't satisfied. He believed the animosity against his church, a "daughter" church of Christ Church that has drawn the ire and public rebuke of the citizens of Troy and the nearby town of Moscow, could be the reason for the denial. "If it would have been the Boy Scouts who wanted to meet every Sunday, the city wouldn't have any problem," he said. Christ Church is controversial. Its leader, Doug Wilson, has advocated for male-dominated Christian nationalism in his blog posts and maintained that Moscow, a small college town of more than 26,000, is a place fit for a biblical takeover. "We should want America to be a Christian nation," Wilson wrote on his blog in 2022. "We want our nation to be a Christian nation because we want all the nations to be Christian nations." But the controversy largely centers on what he's done — namely, co-authoring a book defending southern slavery, speaking at Confederate heritage conferences, blogging derisively about women's breasts, calling the LGBTQ pride flag the "death and sin rag" in his blog and writing that women need to be "led with a firm hand" and "surrender" to a man who "conquers" and "penetrates," in one of his books. Wilson denies any claims that he is sexist or racist, he wrote in an email Thursday. Christ Church's growth in Moscow has sparked controversy as it has slowly acquired buildings and businesses in the city's downtown core. The church owns nearly 20% of properties in a six-block area, according to reporting from Boise State Public Radio, including a small college. Wilson says about 3,000 members — known as "Kirkers"because the church was nicknamed Christ "Kirk," the Scottish word for "church." Residents see a pattern — the fight to expand into Troy is just another method Christ Church uses to exert power and control over small towns with scant resources to fight back against religious extremism, said Brian Dennis, a longtime Troy resident and retired professor at the University of Idaho. "It's the Christian Taliban," Dennis said. "If the city isn't careful, they will take over." Meyer sees it differently — the expansion into Troy isn't a takeover, but rather a trust in God that everyone could become a Christian if church members are sharing his word. "We do share this truth and hope that everyone comes to the same conclusion. If they did, then you could logically conclude that the city would become Christian," he wrote in a text. When Meyer reached out to the Justice Department two years ago, he told the agency the alleged discrimination was most applicable under a Clinton-era law known as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, a law signed in 2000 to prohibit "unreasonable" and "substantial burdens" on religious assembly. "I can tell you that the city of Troy violated the RLUIPA standards to the moon and back," Wilson said in an email. Meyer would reach out again and again, but the federal government refused to shed any light on what was going on behind the scenes, he said. Nine months came and went with no contact from the Justice Department, Meyer said. And then came a change in the White House. On Tuesday , the Justice Department sued the city of Troy under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act — the same act Meyer had brought to their attention — claiming Troy was treating the church "less than equal" to other institutions, imposed a substantial burden upon the church and discriminated against the church on the basis of religion. The government is now asking the city of Troy to allow the church to operate within the building and prohibiting city officials from enforcing the code, the lawsuit states. A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment on the lawsuit via email. Troy's city attorney, Todd Richardson, said the denial has nothing to do with Christ Church's reputation and religious affiliation; rather, any church in that block would be denied a permit under the city code. "The Department of Justice complaint is misleading. And incorrect," Richardson said. "The city has five or six churches ... We invite churches. It is a great city, it is a religious city. The people of Troy are the salt-of-the-earth Idahoans." A town with 925 people, one main road, a couple of schools and some businesses might look small, but Richardson believes Troy can still be a mighty front against the federal government's antics. "Are we ready to fight them?" Richardson said. "Yes, we are." DOJ ice-out Meyer said that for months he would inquire about his complaint and rarely hear back. If he did, the government declined to tell him anything. From the middle of 2023 to April 2024, Richardson was in communication with the government, begging them to work with the city toward a solution. The DOJ eventually opened an investigation and sent a letter to the city in April expressing belief Troy was being discriminatory, but wouldn't elaborate further, Richardson said. At one point, the Justice Department even floated the idea of asking Troy to sign a consent decree, a government-ordered plan to enact reform within a jurisdiction or agency, he said. "We asked how they think we should change it, but they wouldn't tell us," Richardson said. On May 13, Richardson wrote a letter in another effort to mitigate the issue, accusing them of refusing to work with the city. "... Your office has consistently and flatly refused to provide any information to the City or to discuss in any detail what problems you claim and refused to discuss resolution," Richardson wrote. "It is not the City that has been slow to agree to work on this issue and toward a resolution." City officials worked to avoid further interference from the government — they didn't enforce the permit, they passed an ordinance to address future growth should the city expand, and they consulted a law firm to analyze the zoning code, according to the letter. The law firm should have a decision within six to 12 months, and after, the church's permit can be re-evaluated. Just days after Richardson sent that letter, the city was hit with the lawsuit. "I find it very interesting the federal government chose to pick a religious battle with the proverbial David," Richardson said. "... They start off with bullying tactics." The Clinton-era act being used to sue the city of Troy has a long history of lawsuits in its wake, but the differences are visible with the changes in presidential administrations. According to the Justice Department's website, multiple lawsuits under the Biden administration tend to focus on fair housing, homelessness, addiction recovery, sexism and racism. Under President Donald Trump's administration, the lawsuits appear to mostly focus on Christian churches, with the exception of an Islamic organization in New York. Meyer pondered whether the change in administration has anything to do with the lawsuit, but said either way, "If I was a city, I wouldn't want to have a lawsuit with the government." In November 2022, Meyer submitted his conditional-use permit request after he bought the building from a banking corporation. In it, he writes the uses for the "event center" include "civic, social and fraternal organization meetings; community center events; health club or dance classes; business/professional office space and a meeting place for a church." All the other buildings suitable for a group of the church's size within the city aren't available for rent on Sundays, and the town is quiet enough to where parking and church members would not disproportionately disrupt downtown's functions, he wrote. When the city held a public hearing on the permit, as required by law, most of the people who attended weren't pleased to hear a "daughter" church of Christ Church had moved into the city. Those who detested the idea called the church "extreme" or a "hate group," according to the Justice Department's lawsuit. In March 2023, the city denied the permit on the grounds that it "does not promote the revitalization of the commercial district of the city" because the church is not a commercial business, as outlined in the city code. Approval could prevent future business growth the city so desperately needs, according to city documents. The church is also within 300 feet of a bar, something barred by Idaho law since 1947. Even if the current council approved it, future councils may not. The move could bind future bars from opening on the street near the church, city documents say. "In June of 2023, we decided that we're going to meet anyway," Meyer said. That seemed to change little — the city never enforced the permit denial, so it seemed like the church and the city "were in a truce, like a ceasefire," Meyer said. Either way, people were coming up to Meyer on the street and telling him to keep up the good work. Silently, more disdain was brewing. Dennis, whose home sits across from Troy's old high school, has watched from his window throughout the years as Christ Church overtook the school's gym. To Dennis, it feels like more and more people in the area are moving into the small, neighboring towns of Moscow and Troy to be part of it. From across the street, he's seen a few church basketball tournaments and some defiance of COVID-19 mandates. Quite a lot of gatherings, too. "They thumb their nose at restrictions," Dennis said. But the most noticeable is an apartment building Dennis had once owned being "crammed to the rafters" with kids attending Christ Church's school, the New Saint Andrews College. "Their objective is to take over the government and impose their religion and control on other people," the former professor said. "They're a political organization, not a religion. A disguise." Shrouded in controversy Defining Christ Church as a Bible-following group is just a thin veil for hatred, said Keely Emerine-Mix, a United Methodist member and former pastor of a Spanish-language church in Washington. She moved to Moscow in the early 2000s, held a position on Moscow's school board and has spent her time there "nipping at the heels of Doug Wilson." While in Moscow, she said the church has continually fought zoning codes as a way to establish more influence and "remake" the town. This is a similar instance of what she's witnessed before — like how the new owner of her house had multiple New Saint Andrews College students boarding inside without a legal permit to do so, she said. Or like when Moscow revoked the status of two tax-exempt properties when they weren't being used for religious purposes, the Lewiston Tribune reported. "Zoning laws don't reflect community sentiment about politics and religions. Zoning laws support businesses," she said. Wilson, who described himself as a Christian nationalist on Boise's NPR podcast series, faced massive backlash in Moscow for his view on enslaved Black people in the South. In his co-authored book, "Southern Slavery, As It Was," he describes the relationship between white slave owners and Black enslaved people as affectionate and in harmony, even "godly" in some instances, and said later that same-sex marriage is far worse than slavery itself. The Southern Poverty Law Center most closely associates his views with the neo-Confederate movement, a revisionist brand of white nationalism that portrays the Confederacy and its actions in a positive light and strongly supports white supremacy or segregation. Wilson has instead described himself as a "paleo-Confederate." "To defend slavery should've been a bridge too far for anyone," Emerine-Mix said. "He's a heretic. He is a purveyor of dangerous heresies. I don't know why that doesn't matter." In another post, Wilson says if a woman is raped by a boyfriend, the rapist should "endow the woman" who was "defrauded," which would re-establish her as a "free woman" and then, if the father approved, marry his victim. In 2021, Vice News published an investigation into alleged abuse within the church — one woman came forward asserting she was being raped and abused by her husband, also a church member, but that when she went to seek advice, pastors told her she wasn't allowed to tell her husband no. Boise State Public Radio's podcast "Extremely American" also details the ins and outs of the church, with one episode featuring a woman who alleges she was sexually abused within Christ Church and believes it was swept under the rug. Wilson has numerous posts discussing his disdain of women's liberation, calling it a "false flag operation." Some of these posts involve talking about women's breasts in graphic language, comparing a woman leaving her husband to a slave owner and their slave, and saying "wives are to be submissive to their own husbands in everything." He has hosted talks at the University of Idaho, which are most of the time met with protests. In one event titled "The Lost Virtue of Sexism," he called a Super Bowl performance a "skankfest," according to reporting from the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. "Persecution has become a war cry. A banner for the unpleasant and belligerent," Emerine-Mix said. "I would want Moscow to be known for things other than for being ground zero for the birth of Christian nationalism. I would like downtown to reflect the diversity of Moscow and the values of understanding, community and respect for education." Wilson got his footing as a pastor in the 1970s but co-founded the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches in 1998, a denomination that oversees Christ Church. Notably, U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is part of a church that belongs to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, known as "CREC." The denomination is traditionally conservative. According to a pamphlet from the church, CREC church services have "a lot in common with what visitors might call a 'traditional worship service.' " A pamphlet about CREC posted online also says the denomination is "uniformly hostile" to abortion, gay marriage, women in combat and "the leftist agenda." Wilson helped start the church in Troy until it was able to become more independent, according to an email he sent to The Spokesman-Review. Meyer, when asked about Wilson and his controversies, believes criticism of Wilson and the church is unfair. He's known Wilson since 1981, and he even officiated the wedding between Meyer and his wife. "I think people who have determined a negative feeling about Doug is largely because they read the internet. They don't know him," Meyer said. Asked if Meyer shares the views of Wilson, Meyer said it's the Bible that dictates his views. "I believe that the Bible is 100% God's word," he said. "I read my Bible and I try my best to interpret it in the light of what Jesus would have us do, and that's what we try to do here." When Meyer was a young man in the 1980s, he began attending the Community Evangelical Fellowship, where Wilson was the primary pastor. He said the church was a place where he felt the members "unapologetically believed the whole Bible" and obeyed God's word. "... I love the community of Christians who love God, love his word, and who encourage one another to put that into practice," Meyer said. "When I talk about obeying God, it is not in some dour, work-harder, sort of top-down thing. We insist true obedience is from a heart that has experienced and continues to experience God's free gift of forgiveness all the way down to the bones."
Courier-Mail
25-05-2025
- Courier-Mail
I spent 3 days in Rio de Janeiro, this is the ultimate itinerary
With beaches immortalised in song and film, and a reputation as an international party town, Brazil's second-biggest city is watched over from 700m above by the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the seven New Wonders of the World. With beaches immortalised in song and film, and a reputation as an international party town, Brazil's second-biggest city is watched over from 700m above by the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the seven New Wonders of the World. It would be easy to stay forever and soak in the carioca joie de vivre – Rio spirit – but if you only have a long weekend and plenty of stamina, you can still dive into what this famed city has to offer. Get ready – it's going to be a wild ride. DAY 1: Morning The first things I like to tick off the list are the most coveted sites. As much as some of these places are crowded with tourists, going to Rio de Janeiro and skipping Christ the Redeemer would be like going to Rome and missing the Colosseum. I start the morning early to try to beat the crowds, boarding the 7.20am train from Cosme Velho Station to the top of Corcovado Mountain. Exploring Corcovado, enjoying the view, and taking a few pictures with the towering statue takes about three hours, including the wait at the station. After this, I take a 10-minute Uber ride to the city's botanical garden, which takes another three hours to explore, with thousands of plant species as well as incredible fauna, including hundreds of bird species and capuchin monkeys. The Christ the Redeemer looks over Rio de Janeiro. Lunch Another quick car trip gets me to Tin Tin Botequim, a modern take on a traditional Brazilian boteco. The restaurant itself is simple and modern, with a no-frills design. The octopus pastels (fried pastry parcels), the suckling pig croquettes and classic frango à parmigiana (breaded chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and cheese) are a must-try. Afternoon The best post-lunch activity in Rio is a walk by the beach. I stroll along Leblon until I reach the most famous place of all, Ipanema. Part of the Rio de Janeiro experience is enjoying a fun time at the beach, so my plan is to rent a chair and an umbrella at one of the baracas and start sipping caipirinhas, eating delicious and fresh açai and maybe even buy a swimsuit or two from the many vendors that populate all beaches in Rio. After a few hours spent recharging my batteries, a roam around Ipanema's shopping streets is the perfect way to end the afternoon. I head to Casa Rio, Farm Rio's flagship store in the neighbourhood, for a browse and stop by their terrace for a great view of the shimmering water and a perfect photo opportunity. Ipanema Beach is an essential stop for Rio de Janeiro visitors. Evening No place beats the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for watching the sunset. From Ipanema, a half-hour car ride gets me to the bottom of the mountain. The bravest visitors hike the Morro da Urca – the access point to the trail that leads to Sugarloaf Mountain – through the tropical forest, but my choice is to take the cable car and comfortably enjoy the view. Once on Sugarloaf, there are plenty of stands for snacks and souvenirs. I grab a drink at Clássico Beach Club while I wait for the sun to set. DJ sets are frequently hosted on the mountain by Brazilian DJ Tommax. The dates are always published on his social media pages. But beware, the parties are popular and they do get busy. For dinner, my pick is Dainer in Botafogo, a relaxed, unpretentious spot serving traditional Brazilian dishes alongside international favourites. The Sugarloaf Mountain cable car provides stunning views over Rio de Janeiro. DAY 2: Morning Rio's city centre is often ignored, but there are a few things worth seeing. I start the day with a coffee at the famous Confeitaria Colombo. It only takes a couple of hours to visit the must-see Real Gabinete Português de Leitura library, the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Sé Catholic church and the impressive Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião before boarding the Bondinho de Santa Teresa, a tram that takes me from Lapa through to Santa Teresa. This bohemian neighbourhood is perfect for spending a day taking your time, without stressing about crowds and queues. My first stop is Cultivar, my favourite place in the city for the ultimate Brazilian breakfast: açai with granola and the most delicious homemade pão de queijo – Brazilian cheese balls. Then I head to the Parque das Ruínas, an old mansion that now hosts art exhibitions as well as a lovely outdoor bar offering fabulous cocktails, where I indulge in the first caipirinha of the day while looking at the stunning view over Sugarloaf Mountain. One of Rio's historic trams in the Santa Teresa district. Lunch For lunch, it's time to head back to Largo dos Guimarães and take a little, unassuming street down to Botequim Ladeirinha, the best traditional boteco in Santa Teresa. The restaurant might look modest, but the food is delicious and the prices a steal. The menu is small and the choice is between steak, fish or chicken, but I always go for breaded chicken. All dishes come with a generous portion of the classic Brazilian sides, such as rice, fries, beans and farofa (a traditional side made of toasted cassava flour). Afternoon The final stop of the day in Santa Teresa is a visit to the world-famous Escadaria Selarón. Coming from the top of the stairs, I go down to Lapa and enjoy the incredible energy that permeates the streets. The only thing to do is get a drink, mingle, and meet both locals and travellers who come to this part of Rio for a good time. The Escadaria Selaran - aka the "Lapa Steps" - in Rio's Lapa neighbourhood. Evening The ultimate Rio de Janeiro night is spent at Bar Carioca da Gema in Lapa, or bar-hopping your way through the neighbourhood. But before dancing the night away, I make sure to refuel at Boteco Belmonte – their simple but filling food is perfect to prepare for an energetic night out. DAY 3: Morning The last day starts with the best hike in Rio, Tijuca Forest. It would be easy to spend a full day in this national park, but four hours is enough for a great experience. Pico da Tijuca and Pedra Bonita are just two of the many jaw-dropping spots to see. It's possible to visit it independently, but I feel safer joining an expert guide. The hikes organised by local tour operator Jungle Me are some of the best available. Rio de Janeiro as viewed from the Tijuca National Park. Lunch After that effort, nothing is better than a traditional shrimp stew (moqueca de camarão), a medley of fried seafood or a grilled lobster at restaurant Berbigão in Catete. Afternoon Since it's my last day, I have to spend a few hours in Copacabana. At Posto 6, I rent a stand-up paddleboard that I mostly use as a tanning bed, relaxing while enjoying the real spirit of carioca summer. Just before sunset, I make my way to the very popular Pedra do Arpoador, a rocky peninsula that offers amazing views, especially magical at dusk. Evening For the last night, a treat is required. Rio is home to one of the best restaurants in Latin America, the two Michelin-starred Lasai. For a real taste of modern Brazilian cuisine, local ingredients meet exquisite execution – a trip-worthy experience. Sunset over Rio as viewed from Pedra do Arpoador. How to get to Rio de Janeiro from Australia From Sydney and Melbourne, Latam and Qantas offer the best options to fly to Rio de Janeiro, with only one stop, in Santiago, Chile. Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro Vila Santa Teresa boasts the most beautiful views over Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay, making it the perfect spot to soak in the charm of Rio while swimming in the pool or having breakfast. How to get around Rio de Janeiro Rio is a large city, and to make the most of your time, it's best to avoid long and crowded bus journeys. The metro, on the other hand, is limited but very safe and clean, and there is no need to worry about purchasing tickets as it's possible to pay directly with cards. Ubers are also extremely affordable, which makes them the best option for covering long distances quickly. Just avoid peak times as traffic can be heavy.
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I travelled the world for free saving £50k - I'm surprised more people don't do it but there is a catch'
A man who has visited countries including Australia, Italy, Mexico, Indonesia, Spain and France has revealed how he's been able to travel the world 'for free' thanks to one 'clever' hack. Andre Hellstrom, who works as a flight attendant, fell in love with travel as a child and now embarks on trips over the world 'all the time' – and one particular tip has allowed him to save a hefty amount of money. Having heard about the concept of home-swapping from a friend while in San Francisco years ago, the 56-year-old says he initially found it 'strange' though adds the concept began to make more and more sense as he thought about it. In 2010, Andre signed up for the home-swapping platform HomeExchange and has since completed 42 exchanges. The platform allows users to exchange their homes over dates of mutual choosing, or guests can offer GuestPoints to thank the owner for their hospitality. 'Since I fly cheaply, I have lots of flexibility with my schedule, so if I get an offer from Bucharest in Romania – somewhere that's maybe not top of my list – I'll think, 'OK, why not?',' says Andre. 'Then I'll move around my days and I'll go for a short weekend or something, so it's quite exciting sometimes.' Andre often chooses long-term exchanges that last around three to five months, with his day job giving him the flexibility and ability to travel cheaply. Since taking part in home-swapping, Andre has visited locations such as Stockholm, Paris, Buenos Aires and Sydney. He's even stayed at The Westin Maui resort for two weeks and spent a month in Chamonix skiing. In total Andre estimates he's saved around £50,000 in costs to date. 'I basically travel for free and exchanges are almost free too,' he explains. 'It just requires a lot of planning and a wish to be a good host to your guest. I'm surprised that not more people do it.' While every trip is memorable for its own different reasons, Andre has opened up on his time staying in Rio de Janeiro where he was surrounded by breathtaking views. 'There are so many different ones, but the one in Rio, I have to say, that flat is amazing. 'I mean, you just wake up and you have amazing views of the Christ the Redeemer statue, and I love Rio. That flat, if it was on Airbnb, for a whole month it would probably cost £8,000,' he explains. Andre has also welcomed guests into his own home, and says home-swapping has allowed him to make friends across the world. During one trip to Bali, a fellow member of the home-swapping platform helped him ship juju feather hats to his London home – avoiding what could have been a 'nightmare' scenario. 'That was a really good exchange because she was an interior designer, and I'm really into interior design,' he recalls. 'I wanted to buy a juju hat – it's something with feathers – and she helped me find people to make them and she shipped them to the UK. It was a bit of a nightmare… so she did me a huge favour.' However, other stays haven't always gone to plan. While staying in Paris, Andre was required to look after a cat, though it wasn't all smooth sailing. 'The cat hated me,' says Andre. 'I really love cats… and I thought she would love me after a while, but she never loved me.' Later this year, Andre has plans to head to Madrid where he will stay for three months. He also has hopes to go skiing in Switzerland or Austria in the future. For others keen to try out home-swapping, Andre advises them to pay for a 'good cleaner' and make sure they have a 'passion for hosting people'. And for those who aren't too sure, he adds there is a catch: 'You have someone sleeping in your bed, but think of the money that you're saving and you'll forget about that. 'I feel so lucky, it literally opens doors around the world and that's why it's a no-brainer. For me, it's just perfect. I love it.' Jessica Poillucci, PR manager of HomeExchange, says: 'HomeExchange advises people considering home-swapping to check the legalities of working remotely from your intended destination. 'Some countries may require specific visas or permits if you're planning to work, even if it's just remotely for your home company. It's also worth noting working from a different jurisdiction can also have tax implications. 'With regards to both visas or permits and tax, it's important to bear in mind the length of your stay as this can have an impact on both of these areas.'
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Forget Beaches: Food Tours Are The Best Way To Discover Rio De Janeiro
Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the Dois Irmaos mountains in the background, circa 1960. (Photo by) If you watched the Somebody Feed Phil episode set in Rio de Janeiro (Season 4, Episode 1 on Netflix), you may recall Phil Rosenthal's unofficial food guru: a relaxed, big-hearted British expat named Tom Le Mesurier. In a city layered with history, music, and sun-soaked beauty, Tom offered Phil—and by extension, all of us—a delicious reminder: the surest way to understand a place is to eat your way through it. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine mentioned Tom again. He'd returned from Rio raving about Tom's Eat Rio Food Tours, which take visitors into the city's quieter, tastier parts—the vibrant markets, old-school botequins, and under-the-radar açai counters. My friend (truly, the most sophisticated traveler I know) said he tasted everything from rare Amazonian fruits to bite-sized squares of tapioca flour dough still warm from the pan. It made me want to get on a plane immediately and head to Brazil. Eat Rio Food Tours founder Tom Le Mesurier and a very large avocado. You can experience Rio in a lot of ways. Tour companies like Rio Cultural Secrets will drive you up Corcovado for sweeping Christ the Redeemer views or guide you through the mosaic wonderland of Escadaria Selarón. Outfitters like Rio Adventures will strap you into a harness and send you paragliding above Ipanema beach. Tours by Locals can arrange private walks through Rio's colonial past and emerging design scene. All are worthwhile, depending on your mood (and the online reviews). But Tom's Eat Rio Food Tours get you closer to the soul of the city. As I've said before, the best way to experience a new or unfamiliar destination is to devour it—and in Rio, Eat Rio is hands down the way to do it. Instead of ticking off landmarks, Tom helps you experience the place one spoonful (or sip or juicy slice) at a time. It's an experience that feels less like a tour and more like meeting up with an old friend who can't wait to show you why his favorite city tastes so good. Recently, I caught up with Tom to hear more about his journey, his approach to food, and why the best way to know Brazil is by taking a great big bite. David Hochman: You're a British guy leading food tours in Brazil Do people ever give you side-eye for that? What does being an 'outsider' let you see that locals might miss? Tom Le Mesurier: Officially speaking, I am now British-Brazilian. I went through the process of naturalization about five years ago. But I take your point. Although my Portuguese is fluent, I'll never lose the accent and in the eyes of most Brazilians I'll always be a foreigner, and I'm OK with that. Every food guide brings their own background and experience to a tour. While my Brazilian colleagues can recount childhood memories of family churrascos, they almost certainly can't remember the first time they tried feijoada, or countless other culinary delights. And while I'm an 'outsider' so are the majority of our guests, meaning I can probably identify with them and their experience of being in Brazil for the first time in a way that a born and raised Brazilian can't. Moqueca, feijoida, tapioca—it's all on the menu during a tour with Eat Rio. David Hochman: There's a global stereotype that Rio is dangerous and chaotic. But it's also called the 'Cidade Maravilhosa.' What do people get wrong about Rio and what's the moment on your tour when people feel that marvelous magic crack through their fear? Tom Le Mesurier: Rio does have its dangers, but it's also undeniably marvelous. It's a dazzling city of contradictions. It's simultaneously beautiful and ugly, hilarious and tragic, depressing and frustrating at times, but also inspiring and uplifting. It's all these things at once. What people get wrong is that they think Rio is a complete war zone. Then they get to the street market and sense the warmth and kindness of the locals; they see jovial octogenarians buying groceries, children sharing a joke on their way to school, mothers pushing buggies and realize it's not nearly as terrifying a place as they had been led to believe. I would never want to airbrush out the dangers or suffering that exists here, but compared to reality, many visitors need to have their image of Rio majorly readjusted in a positive direction. David Hochman: Practical travel question: If someone only has 24 hours in Rio and wants to avoid missing out — where do you send them, and what do you make them eat? What's the dish that's most likely to blow a skeptical traveler's mind? Tom Le Mesurier: I would always steer people towards one of Rio's daily feiras (street markets). These run every morning from 7 am to 12 pm and are a riot of exotic fruits, delicious street food dishes and a great way to connect with the locals. In the afternoon, I'd recommend a stroll around the beautiful, bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Its cobbled streets, stunning views and artsy vibe is so much more interesting than the hotel-lined beaches, in my opinion. Everyone knows about Brazil's barbecue culture, but more people should know about the Afro-Brazilian food and culture. I'd send them to Yayá Comidaria to eat moqueca baiana, a rich seafood stew flavored with coconut milk and red palm oil. I've seen hundreds (possibly thousands) of people declare it their favorite Brazilian dish. David Hochman: You've spent over a decade helping people taste Brazil. What's something about the culture or food that still resists translation — something that doesn't quite fit into a tidy tour explanation? Tom Le Mesurier: Brazilian food and culture can't be rushed. You can come here on a three-day whistle-stop tour and see the sites, have a lot of fun, and tick a bunch of things off your lists, but you'll miss out on the real magic. Our food tours get our guests off to a great start - they'll eat, drink and experience many of the 'best bits' and they'll be set up with recommendations and itineraries for the rest of their time in the city. But to really 'get it' you need to slow down - spend an afternoon snacking and drinking in a bar while you watch people pass in the street, notice how the waiters interact with their customers. There's something beautiful about the way people treat each other here, but you could miss it if you're constantly rushing off to see the next 'must see' highlight. David Hochman: If Eat Rio were a person, what kind of personality would it have at a dinner party? Tom Le Mesurier: Ha. I hope Eat Rio would be fun, interesting, irreverent, and unafraid to be honest about how things really are in the world. Basically, Anthony Bourdain. David Hochman: Eat Rio has already taken hundreds of people through the heart of the city's flavors, so what's next for you? Are there neighborhoods, regions, or experiences you'd like to add to the repertoire? Tom Le Mesurier: The pandemic and then fatherhood (I've got twins boys!) put a lot of my plans for world domination on hold for a while, but now things are starting to move forward again. Together with my friend and colleague, sommelier Marcela de Genaro, I recently launched the Brazilian Wine Experience, an indulgent afternoon of Brazilian wines paired with food—and dazzling conversation of course. We will also soon be launching our dedicated tour of the botecos of Tijuca, Rio's criminally overlooked heartland of eating, drinking and samba. And later in the year, we'll be opening our long-awaited food tours in an assortment of other popular destinations across Brazil. David Hochman: If you ever need a professional moqueca taster, you know where to find me. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
