On the Mountaintop

I sit here perched in the shadow of Jesus. Towering above me is the 39 meter statue with arms spread wide, taking in the massive, sprawling city of Rio de Janeiro. A circular walkway is constructed here allowing for spectacular views on all sides, reduced only slightly on this hazy, 33 degree (c) humid winter day. It is 2:15 now, and the sun sets around 5:30 I'd say but it would be so sweet to stay up here for sunset..I don't even know where it would set honestly - I'm pretty turned around - but I'm sure it would be beautiful! Plus I spent 51 reals taking a train up here so might as well take my time.
I brought a book by Jack London called the Sea Wolf and other stories, so maybe I'll sit myself down somewhere and read it while i wait. Probably show up in a ton of selfies like a nerd.
The ocean from here looks frozen, completely unmoving from hundreds of meters up in the air but you can see the still ripples and peaks like a static bowl of blending egg whites. 
The favelas can be seen in some places, but for the most part they are tucked tightly into the hills, unnoticed next to the many bays and beaches and buildings..they are everywhere though make no mistake. On the steep ascent up, the train passed one, not sure which.
When I arrived to the tram station at 11:30 they told me the next available one left at 12:30 so I wandered around and saw a cool looking cobblestone street sloping up and I started walking up it. I am surrounded by buzzing bees (but it is nothing compared to the empty cup and can of Guarana at the table one over which as I write right now a lady in short white shorts and sandals just moved to another table! Damn no way I would have touched that) but they are only sporadically distracting. Anyways I began walking up the street because it looked cool and a motorcycle slowed on its way down shouting "cristo?" It took me a second to remember that cristo was christ and I think he was offering me a ride (the lady's friend just said "I cant believe you moved that, you're so brave"- my thoughts exactly) to the statue on his motorcycle which I declined and then he continued on, warning me that I was headed toward a favela. I kind of scoffingly said thank you and tried to wave him away but he repeated his pointing motion and said favela'! But I continued walking. (The lady's friend just said, about the bees: I don't think they sting, wouldn't they have stung someone by now? Well, don't know if that's true but anyway). But after he left I did slink back down the hill, realizing that I had nothing to gain by being stubborn, and thoughtfully ate a carrot under some trees in the shadow of the Corcovado train station.
And now it is 2:55 and I have moved from the infested tables of the little food place to a shadowed bench between staircases, with a washed out sign instructing not to feed the toucans in front of me and some cookie cracker thing in my hand. Bringing snacks from home is so, so important.