Christ gets a facelift.

When aliens destroy civilization in disaster films, you no doubt see the globe's most famous landmarks fall (or explode) into ruins. The White House, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, the pyramids at Giza and The Statue of Liberty are always the firsts to go. Not to mention Cristo Redentor -- Christ the Redeemer -- the most famous symbol of Rio de Janeiro (and, is THE icon for the world's largest catholic population, here in Brazil).

He stands nearly 130-feet tall, is made of soapstone and concrete and is considered the world's greatest art deco statue. .

Lately, the monument, Christ with arms outstretched as if across Rio de Janeiro, hasn't looked quite like himself. He's covered head to toe in scaffolding, undergoing an enormous $4-million facelift. It seems this septuagenarian has endured winds and rains, with wear-and-tear scarring its exterior (like the rest of us).

Now the worst rains in 40 years have made the trek up the mountain by car (or a little red train), through the Forest of Tijuca, impossible. Only by helicopter can you get close enough to see, well, not see, the statue, with its temporary wrapper of steel, wood and who knows what. I would have been awfully disappointed had I not seen Cristo Redentor up close so many times in the past.

Actually, the statue looks pretty hip, coincidentally Christo-esqe. I wouldn't doubt if Chirsto himself isn't kicking himself for not having thought it first.  

NOTE: Just yesterday, what is being called a "crime of the country"was all over the news. The statue's arms and chest were covered with graffiti. According to my friends Selmo and Sandra, apparently there is some sort of contest in Rio as to how high one can paint graffiti. Among other things, “when the cat’s away, the mice play”  and “where’s Patrcia?" (in Portuguese, of course), were scribbled on the monument.

See the picture I took from my uncle's home -- he lives under the right armpit Cristo Redentor.