This somewhat speaks for itself, but I visited Cristo Redentor today, the Christ the Redeemer Statue that overlooks nearly all of Rio. It's the iconic figure of Rio, and it was incredible. I felt very much like a tourist and enjoyed every second of it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
músicos em uma feira em Curitiba.
Feria na Curitiba. These were some guys playing at a great fair in Curitiba.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Still figuring out the lay of the Cidade Marvilihosa!
So, I'm not as keen on writing a lot of blog posts as some of my previous trips. I think this is mostly because of the challenges I've had in really feeling comfortable in a major city where I am struggling to speak the local language. In the book I read this summer "The Triumph of the City" by Ed Gleaser, he discusses one of the greatest reasons why cities exist and thrive, and people thrive within them is the ability to connect people and exchange ideas, customs, experiences and more. However, when I am unable to engage fully in that exchange of life, it is more than discomforting. I experience anxiety, fear, confusion, embarrassment and other self-critical emotions. So, there is much to this city that I have yet to see and experience, and I think there is a direct correlation with my ability to enjoy my new environment and my ability to communicate and engage in the exchange of communication. That will come with time.
Rio is an incredibly beautiful place. Yesterday we went to Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), is is a natural reserve park that surrounds the south eastern edge of Pão de Azucar (Sugar Loaf). It was a 20 minute walk from the city, but it was INCREDIBLE! 20 minutes walk from an incredibly bustling city and we were in complete serenity with only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the monkey's running around. It was awesome, unfortunately I didn't not have my camera with me, but I will return and put up photos. There are many beautiful topographical features in this city, and when folks who live here take me, it is a great way to experience the beauty that is all around.
I am traveling to Curitiba Brazil this weekend, one of the great urban planning successes of Brazil and a model for many other countries of the world. A friend who lives in São Paulo but is from Curitiba, her birthday was this week and her parents are throwing her a party and she invited me to come as well.
More updates to come later, I'll put more photos on Shutterfly as well. http://onlyadreaminrio.shutterfly.com
Tchau!
Beijos!
D
Rio is an incredibly beautiful place. Yesterday we went to Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), is is a natural reserve park that surrounds the south eastern edge of Pão de Azucar (Sugar Loaf). It was a 20 minute walk from the city, but it was INCREDIBLE! 20 minutes walk from an incredibly bustling city and we were in complete serenity with only the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and the monkey's running around. It was awesome, unfortunately I didn't not have my camera with me, but I will return and put up photos. There are many beautiful topographical features in this city, and when folks who live here take me, it is a great way to experience the beauty that is all around.
I am traveling to Curitiba Brazil this weekend, one of the great urban planning successes of Brazil and a model for many other countries of the world. A friend who lives in São Paulo but is from Curitiba, her birthday was this week and her parents are throwing her a party and she invited me to come as well.
More updates to come later, I'll put more photos on Shutterfly as well. http://onlyadreaminrio.shutterfly.com
Tchau!
Beijos!
D
Friday, August 05, 2011
Vou em uma caminhada - I'm going on a hike.
Today the Intercâmbio/Erasmus group is going on a hike to Pedra Bonita, one of the many rock formation/mountains that jut straight up in the middle of Rio. Here's a link to some photos, I'll have some of my own later!
http://www.pbase.com/wcmaguiar/pedra_bonita_rj
Not being confident in the local language is a big hurdle to feeling completely comfortable in this city. When ever someone comes near me as if they're going to ask me something, I shudder inside because I fear that I will not be able to respond. This is foreign territory for my talkative instincts. GAHHH! Maybe Brazilian cartoons will help me learn the language, right?!
Well, I suppose we learn from mistakes, its just that mistakes aren't fun.
ate logo!
abraços!
http://www.pbase.com/wcmaguiar/pedra_bonita_rj
Not being confident in the local language is a big hurdle to feeling completely comfortable in this city. When ever someone comes near me as if they're going to ask me something, I shudder inside because I fear that I will not be able to respond. This is foreign territory for my talkative instincts. GAHHH! Maybe Brazilian cartoons will help me learn the language, right?!
Well, I suppose we learn from mistakes, its just that mistakes aren't fun.
ate logo!
abraços!
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Na terra Brasileira
After a long overnight flight with very little sleep, I've finally touched down in the land of the Brazilians - na terra brasileira. I don't know if they actually say that, but I thought it would be fitting. Some how I managed to navigate the airport bus system and hail a taxi to get me to my friend Gislaine's apartment. But it is definetly difficult when I don't know the language very well, at.all. But I'm here.
After a skype call back home and a much needed nap, I'm watching Brazilian football highlights on tv and waiting for Gislaine to get back from work. Hopefully we'll get some dinner and maybe a drink later. But all in all this is a stop off en route to Rio. So while Sao Paulo is huge, I'm content to just take it easy and get on to Rio tomorrow.
Tchao!
After a skype call back home and a much needed nap, I'm watching Brazilian football highlights on tv and waiting for Gislaine to get back from work. Hopefully we'll get some dinner and maybe a drink later. But all in all this is a stop off en route to Rio. So while Sao Paulo is huge, I'm content to just take it easy and get on to Rio tomorrow.
Tchao!
Monday, August 01, 2011
I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Today's the day I leave for Brazil!!
Normally when I travel, I like to think about "I wake up here, but I will go to bed there" sorta things. It's amazing how far we can travel in a day. But today is kinda like that, but not really. I wake up in Louisville, but will go to sleep..... somewhere over the Caribbean Sea? 35,000 feet in the air??? That's not as comforting as say "Destin Florida" or something like that. But none the less, by this time tomorrow, I will be in São Paulo Brazil. Crazy.
Until then
Tchao!
Normally when I travel, I like to think about "I wake up here, but I will go to bed there" sorta things. It's amazing how far we can travel in a day. But today is kinda like that, but not really. I wake up in Louisville, but will go to sleep..... somewhere over the Caribbean Sea? 35,000 feet in the air??? That's not as comforting as say "Destin Florida" or something like that. But none the less, by this time tomorrow, I will be in São Paulo Brazil. Crazy.
Until then
Tchao!
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