Seeing and photographing the government buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer was the key reason for visiting Brasilia. I decided to stay two nights and return to the government center for another sunset and multiple sunrises. Google Maps gave me some ideas for lodging in the vicinity. A nearby location meant I could get up just before sunrise and not spend too much time getting there. Airbnb listed an apartment with a kitchen and a pool; more expensive than a hostel. Tie to live a little. Done. The alarm went off before sunrise, and I peeked out the window to see the pre-dawn light glowing on the Congresso Nacional. I needed to hurry, and I did.

For fleeting moments, the buildings were a peach and the sky a deep orange. Again, I raced around the blocks on the eastern end of the Monumental Axis, stopping along the edges of the road in highly questionable places. Yet, neither the building's security nor the military police moved. There they were, two police cars sitting under a tree. The conversation may have gone like this: 



Officer João: The motorcycle is back, and he isn’t supposed to park there. 

Officer Bruno: He’s a tourist taking pictures, it’s Ok.

Officer João: Yeah, and I’m not finished with my coffee. Hey! Leave some cake for me.

The sun rose more, and the rich magic hourlight slowly disappeared. The light was still low, giving the Saturn-shaped Museu Nacional da República a different appearance than the sunset the day before. At this hour, there were no tourists to get in the way. Photographing the Biblioteca Nacional de Brasília next door, I was approached with shouts for the first time. A homeless guy decided to give me a hard time. The only cure is to shout back. He retreated, and I quickly took a few shots, leaving before he could return. 

A few of my favorite photos from the second day.

The balance of the morning and afternoon was a mismatch of disappointments. I have learned that in most places around the world, museums are closed on Mondays. Museu de Arte de Brasília is an exception to the rule. It was open on Monday, and it was most definitely closed on Tuesday. I enjoyed the outdoor sculpture collection and then moved on to lunch.

Brazilians love buffets, hands down. After traveling for over a month, the utility remains, and the novelty is gone. I was craving Mexican food and was looking forward to changing up my diet. A Mexican-Arabic restaurant was conveniently located near the closed art museum and my lodging. There was another exception, this time to rule where you have a sign there is the expectation the business hasn’t closed. Nothing left to do but go back to the Hotel The Sun (condo and Airbnb) and hit the pool. 



The evening was promising, and it did not disappoint. At ADV Moto Parts, a rider named Junior said to go to the Torre de TV de Brasília on Tuesday night for the motorcycle meeting. Would this be a gathering of a small group? Nope. There were hundreds of motorcycles, a collection of tricked-out trikes, vendors, food stalls, and beer. It would be wrong if there wasn’t beer. The band was rocking out, playing familiar tunes, and the riders were 100% typical friendly Brazilians. I don’t understand why international adventure riders from the US and Canada rarely visit Brazil. If they do, then it is limited in the southern states. So many will travel from south Colombia along the west coast of South America, maybe they will get to the Ushaia, then want to sell their bikes and fly home. Sigh. Brazil has so much to offer; the cost is very reasonable, and the people are some of the happiest and friendliest that you will ever meet. 

Turns out the meet-up under the TV Tower happens every Tuesday. There was no cost to admission or parking, and the vibe was totally chill. I walked around for an hour or so, taking video clips, then headed back to the apartment to get to bed early. I looked hard for him but never saw Junior.