Ham and Cheese Omelet at 3 p.m.
No stadium is more electric than when Usain Bolt is running the 100. No one is interested in seeing an upset. The crowd wants to see Bolt and the crowd wants to see Bolt win. And he never disappoints.
Some of the crew and I got there early and grabbed a photo spot at the 50-meter mark. Some spots, like the one we had, are first come, first served. And once there, you can’t leave or run the risk of losing it. So the (very uncomfortable) seats became our office for the five hours leading up to the starting gun.
It was a beautiful night and a packed house and we shot this sequence which then turned into this interactive:
Stayed pretty late at the Estadio Olympico working on this last night until they kicked us out at about 2 a.m. It’s not in the best of neighborhoods, so the sports editor has hired a car to be on standby every night this week to come pick us up so we don’t have to stand on the street with all our gear waiting for a taxi or a bus. Have to say, The Times does a nice job when it comes to our safety. When we came last year to do some stories on the Bay and some of the neighborhoods, they made sure we didn’t travel anywhere without security.
Car and Driver
This is the car and the driver who waits around every night to come pick us up. #2 Sister, ask Josh what he thinks of the tinted windows. They’re pretty badass.
Did Josh also see that Puerto Rico won its first ever gold medal? Mónica Puig won in tennis.
I’m thinking of getting my haircut.
Barber and Beer
I found a barbershop a few blocks from here that offers a haircut and a beer. That’s pretty tempting even though I had decided to embrace the long locks until I got back to a place where the barber actually knew was I was asking for. But really, what is the worst that can happen? He takes too much off the top?
What do you think? Vote below.
Not surprisingly, it was about 3 a.m. when we got home and i did have thoughts of another bowl of Bolognese heaven, but NY was still working on getting the Bolt interactive online, so I had to stay in touch. Well, I tried anyway. I fell fast asleep not long after getting home. When I woke up around 7, my glasses and the lights were still on and my computer was still on my chest.
Omelet at P6.
But things are light today, so I headed instead for lunch this time at Parish 6 Rio. We’ve taken to calling it P6 because we are all regulars now. No Bolognese this time; I opted for the ham and cheese omelet, which of course, did not disappoint.
And below the omelet is a look at the “Fit Menu.” I believe the point is that if you eat off that menu, you will look like Bella Falconi. The spaghetti Bolognese is not on that menu. Something smothered in Cuzília cheese is though. Cruzília is a region in Brazil apparently known for its cheese. I don’t believe Bella has that on a regular basis.
And the desserts are not on that menu either, but they do look rather irresistible. But I have, so far, resisted. I do have my 3 a.m. limits, you know.
Bella, Bella, Bella
Because the dessert wasn’t decadent enough, they had to shove a popsicle into it.
Heavenly.
Eat at Joe’s 
Well that is some menu! I have a feeling we’ll be hearing about more ham and cheese omelettes this week! I think that dessert needs to be seen in person. And then described in chocolately detail!!
Oh, I forgot this isn’t a food blog…
Back to the olympics. Very cool work on Bolt! Was very jealous of you being in the stadium when we watched it last night. Sounds like a long but fun night! Also loved your table tennis comment on the story about what sport you’d do. Although I can’t believe you did well against what I assume was the table tennis champion of Staten Island!!
Go for the haircut! 👴🏻
I knew you would like the foodie blog posts, Patricia. I appreciate the suggestion to go for the haircut but you have to vote or it doesn’t count.
Josh is now driving a Benz, and can’t wait to get those windows tinted too. He will like your very fly car! He is also well aware of Senorita Puig’s victory, and thinks he might have a chance with her. We’ll see! (If you’re reading this, Josh – I have faith in you, buddy!) I will be practicing my table tennis skills….I won a ping pong trophy in the tenth grade at Thevenet Hall Academy for Girls and Convent of Jesus and Mary, so Zé and I are going on the circuit. He suggested synchronized table tennis doubles, but I’m not sure he can keep up with me. I voted for the haircut – in the immortal words of Tug McGraw, “Ya gotta believe!” I would suggest that perhaps you should go early. If the barber also has a beer with every customer, later probably isn’t better. You may be missing your eyebrows by the end of it. I know you’re sleep deprived and working hard (although your five hour vigil couldn’t have been THAT arduous), but it seems as if you’re having a good time, sim? (I googled that – I think it says, “yes?”) An important caveat: Do not, under any circumstances, go to a party with Ryan Lochte!!
I suppose Bella, Bella, Bella is for your pal TC.
I did vote the proper way Zé! I believe I was the second to cast in the poll. I like this interactive blog post btw!!
How many guys go to P6 just to look at the Fit Menu? I agree with Patricia that we need to hear about the desserts “from personal experience “.
I’d rather have you recreate the desserts when we are all together! Love all the interactives and your table tennis comment is perfect! Keep up the hard/good work, we are all thoroughly enjoying it.
Culinary update: I went over to P6 for dinner and you wouldn’t believe what happened. i ran into colleagues AND I had the spaghetti Bolognese. What are the odds? I updated the post with a picture. I think it is the truffle oil in the sauce that makes it so good.
You don’t want to branch out just a little?? I think we ate more Brazilian food at the Maple Street Opening Ceremony extravaganza than you’ve eaten in several weeks in Rio!
Those male divers are bela, bela, bela
I have been waiting at the curb for my limo driver to pick me up for 2 weeks now. I thought you were sincere when you told me “Of course you can come along and be my assistant.” I’m beginning to think otherwise.
JW, Ham & Cheese and Spaghet? You can get that at Primas! Go hunt down some killer authentic Portuguese Paella! Then again, history has shown that when you go to hunt something down at these Olympic venues, you end up with some strange brew, so maybe stick with the Chef Boyardee ala Brasilia! As for the hair cut… I say shave the head and add a Brazilian. Or is that one in the same? Bolt is amazing and a character. Did you see the Getty shot of him smiling for the camera as he leads the field in a sprint? I still say The beach offers great events like volley Ball, frisbe and lotion lathering; and you should cover it and show us pics of these Olympic worthy “athletes”! If you had brought me along, I would have gotten up close, covert shots that Buggs Bunny in the Pismo Beach episode would have been proud of. Sand burrowing Gold!
Lastly, in case you haven’t been following, our Metsies are now 11.5 out, almost toast.
Good stuff Joe, keep it coming!
Wow that spaghetti looks delicious!!! ….much like the divers, right copa ca banana?
Yes rose9921, yes dinner with a bela diver, eating sphagetti bolognese…then desert..oops I digress (hey, don’t blame me, it’s a long month.
Definitely go for the haircut but I agree with the #2 sister earlier might be better than later. Don’t worry if they mess up its only hair it will come back quick. Of course every car looks better with tinted windows. Extremely jealous that you saw bolt there without me and pops, hope you got some great shots. Be safe and keep the sunblock close to your speedo.
Keep waiting by the curb TC, the car will be there any minute. I’m in Barra most of the time and the blog could really use a Copacabana-Ipanema-Leblon correspondent. I think you are just the guy for the job. Perhaps an exposé on thongs is in order. And as you suggest, a How-To on the proper technique for applying lotion. I believe it is similar to the Karate Kid’s wax on, wax off.
Heading out to shoot me some high jump.
…great use of technology on the 100m race!
On-another-note: Although I’ve never partaken (“I did not inhale”), I can get a beer where I get my few hairs cut too!
Enjoy the rest of Rio!!!
That last comment was submitted by John FIlzen. … Hello “Ward” Famly!
Hey John, welcome aboard. Still no haircut, but I have had the beers.
Really enjoyed your blogs very informative and fun. Looking forward to you being back in ny for some rest and relaxation. Bon voyage Thanks. For the memories.
I’m looking forward to that too. See you soon.