Rio+20: Brazil's big test

Possibly because of the still-high prices, there are hotel rooms to spare – around 15 percent of all rooms are unoccupied this week, and 5 percent for next week. Some creative attendees are actually camping out on one of Rio's college campuses and in one of the city's parks, and there are even accommodations available at the Sambodrome and public education centers.

Attending the conference isn't cheap, but then, neither is traveling to Rio. After the hotel price imbroglio, the latest issue is that food at Riocentro (the conference center) is being sold at "international prices" with R$5 soda cans and a R$12 slice of pizza. Visitors from all over the world are evidently complaining about the high prices, though there are simpler lunch options at more reasonable prices.

Technology is also being tested at Rio+20. Along with wireless internet for the thousands of conference participants, the event is the first in Brazil that will have a 4G connection, which will be used as an experiment to test the connection. Brazil hopes to expand 4G to regular internet users by 2013 in time for the Confederations Cup, and the government just raised $1.4 billion this week in its 4G auction. That said, journalists were complaining about technology issues, including not being able to send photos or video, not being allowed to use printers because it "isn't sustainable," even though delegates are allowed to print, and the absence of adapters available for foreign journalists.

The real test will begin on the 20th, when the heads of state arrive. But like with Carnival every year, things are coming together.

– Rachel Glickhouse is the author of the blog Riogringa.com

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