Much has been made of how successful Rio's Olympic Games would be, and as I walked off the plane here two weeks ago, I couldn't help but wonder what I was walking into.
Amidst the reports of violent muggings, vocal protests and political unrest, there were also questions about whether the sporting venues would even be complete. It didn't sound like a city ready to host an Olympic Games.
But, in the days since, Rio de Janeiro has surprised me. Even in the favelas, where disheartening examples of poverty are everywhere you look, elements of positivity emerge. There's a feeling of togetherness and community.
There are a lot of problems here. Poverty, corruption in the government and economic turmoil.
Many citizens have used the world's media spotlight to draw attention to these issues by way of vocal protests, and good on them for doing so.
Yesterday, though, it was enlightening to see another side to Brazil. An excited, inspired and proud Brazil. Sport does that.
As I entered Barra Olympic Park, two young girls and their mother - dressed in Brazilian supporters gear - came sprinting through the entrance gates. The girls - probably five or six - were jumping up and down out of pure excitement and joy. Mum was too. They were at the Olympics!
With a bit of time to spare before covering the track cycling at the Velodrome, I checked out a few of the other venues like the Carioca Arenas and Aquatics Centre. I ducked into one of the stadiums where Brazil was playing Croatia in basketball.
It was Brazil's home turf - and you didn't need much reminding. There was a kaleidoscope of green, yellow and blue. Brazilian flags billowing among the crowd and some of the loudest cheering you could imagine.
They're big on booing, too. Every time Croatia had the ball, Brazilian boos echoed around the stadium. You would not want to be the Croatian basketball team on this occasion.
It was a special moment for me. It proves that even beneath the well-publicised cloud of negativity, you can rest assured there are moments when positive rays of Brazilian light shine through.
Jacob Brown / Newshub