- I spent New Years Eve on Copacabana beach with over 2 million people.
- I ate grilled chicken hearts.
I'm not sure which one is more astounding, but the chicken was actually really good. Copacabana was amazing. I wish there were better words to describe, but it really was like a dream, the best most fantastic kind. There were stages set up, famous Brazilian bands playing pagoda music with Samba beats. Everyone knew all the words to the songs... I was jealous but then I caught on and sang along too. We took a gazilion pictures in front of the Copacabana Palace, the richest, most expensive, and best lit hotel on the shore. Somehow we managed to sneak 5 bottles of champagne onto the metro. By "we" I'm referring to the 4 awesome Brazilians that I met a few night before, and ended up spending Reveillon with. I met Jefe at a club in Lapa one of the first nights in Rio, and from there he introduced me to his roommates, and a friend who was visiting. I'm not a strong proponent of meeting people at clubs, however I just had a good feeling about him and went with it, and it turned out he was really really great. I feel so lucky to have him and his friends, because there is no way I would have the impression of Rio that I do now. The real Rio, not just the touristy pre-packaged Rio that the whole world thinks of. Example: They know this juice lady, who makes the best blended juices maybe in all of Rio. She has an outdoor stand in a flea market section of Rio that I would have never thought or known to stop at, as its exterior is modest to say the least. She was great though, joking with us as she went to town, juicing, straining, flipping cups with efficient yet artistic skill.
I love Rio. It could be the people I have met, or the amazing beach that makes me smile everytime I look at the 5 foot crashing waves and the laughing kids popping back up after the wave passes- or the hostel with its wonderfully quirky and assorted personalities. Its definitely not the mosquitos, which love me here. Or the heat that makes it hard to fall asleep. I think it is a combination of all these things- but all I can think is how lucky I am. Some people save their whole lives for a chance to come here- and I did. I have seen Rio, lived Rio, breathed and swam in Rio, and even, yes- fell in love, or at least something like it.
I also met this amazing family during a tour I did of Rio. I held my pride and spent one day as a complete tourist, even though I hated the idea of it. It was good though, we saw the - Sambodromo, where Carnaval is held- designed by none other than the great Oscar Niemeyer. Then Maracana stadium, one of the largest football stadiums in the country- if not the largest. Kaka, is now taken the place of Ronaldo as the hottest footballer in my book. We went to Pao de Azucar, Sugarloaf, a huge group of rock formations that identify the Rio skyline. It is a contender for one of the seven new wonders of the world. And then, of course, we saw the statue of Christ the Redemptor, which was really cool. It was so high up we were in the clouds, made it feel more heaven-like, more spiritual and mystical- very beautiful. This family, was the coolest. The mother and I started talking right away, and she was super interested in the states, in how I was liking Brazil, etc. Her ten year old daughter Luana and I were best friends, attached at the hip by the end of the day- she was such a sweetie. They are from Sao Paulo, and found me on orkut, so hopefully I will get to meet them when I go back there before my flight back.
I think I could stay here. Sometimes I really do see myself working abroad for longer than just this internship, which was great. Rio is beautiful, and its starting to feel normal. I know that I will miss it, but I also know that I need to go back. I miss my friends and family, and I know I'm being a baby but, I can't help it. It's the truth. I would have had to leave knowing I was going to stay to be able to do it. Plus, any time I think of staying, it seems so far and surreal, like I'd be a different person if I did. I'd have to float between two worlds, because I wouldn't be able to give up my family and friends in the states. Maybe one day, when I'm rich I'll have an apartment in Rio, and then I'll take my friends and family there.
Rio de Janeiro, I will come back to you. Promise.
I love Rio. It could be the people I have met, or the amazing beach that makes me smile everytime I look at the 5 foot crashing waves and the laughing kids popping back up after the wave passes- or the hostel with its wonderfully quirky and assorted personalities. Its definitely not the mosquitos, which love me here. Or the heat that makes it hard to fall asleep. I think it is a combination of all these things- but all I can think is how lucky I am. Some people save their whole lives for a chance to come here- and I did. I have seen Rio, lived Rio, breathed and swam in Rio, and even, yes- fell in love, or at least something like it.
I also met this amazing family during a tour I did of Rio. I held my pride and spent one day as a complete tourist, even though I hated the idea of it. It was good though, we saw the - Sambodromo, where Carnaval is held- designed by none other than the great Oscar Niemeyer. Then Maracana stadium, one of the largest football stadiums in the country- if not the largest. Kaka, is now taken the place of Ronaldo as the hottest footballer in my book. We went to Pao de Azucar, Sugarloaf, a huge group of rock formations that identify the Rio skyline. It is a contender for one of the seven new wonders of the world. And then, of course, we saw the statue of Christ the Redemptor, which was really cool. It was so high up we were in the clouds, made it feel more heaven-like, more spiritual and mystical- very beautiful. This family, was the coolest. The mother and I started talking right away, and she was super interested in the states, in how I was liking Brazil, etc. Her ten year old daughter Luana and I were best friends, attached at the hip by the end of the day- she was such a sweetie. They are from Sao Paulo, and found me on orkut, so hopefully I will get to meet them when I go back there before my flight back.
I think I could stay here. Sometimes I really do see myself working abroad for longer than just this internship, which was great. Rio is beautiful, and its starting to feel normal. I know that I will miss it, but I also know that I need to go back. I miss my friends and family, and I know I'm being a baby but, I can't help it. It's the truth. I would have had to leave knowing I was going to stay to be able to do it. Plus, any time I think of staying, it seems so far and surreal, like I'd be a different person if I did. I'd have to float between two worlds, because I wouldn't be able to give up my family and friends in the states. Maybe one day, when I'm rich I'll have an apartment in Rio, and then I'll take my friends and family there.
Rio de Janeiro, I will come back to you. Promise.
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