The Favelas

Today we walked into the Favelas the really poor parts of Rio. It was amazing to see. Steep up on the hill, and huge steps that seem to go on forever is quite hot temperatures.

The volunteers will be painting an area with the children teaching them that a clean place is a better place. Also maybe talking about health, etc more.

I also visited the project where the people make recycled paper and sell it to tourists, etc. One of our volunteers is teaching the kids English and seem like they are having a wonderful time.

I also managed to make my way back in a kombie (a van) that should only seat 12 people but we managed to fit about 17 people, and the steep winding road we traveled up was unbelievable.

That is all I feel like writing for now, will come up with something more creative later.

Rolling Stones in Rio

I have arrived in Rio safely. Got here yesterday and met several of the volunteers at the airport. We all came back to the volunteer house, which I have to say is spectacular. Located in Santa Teresa, with amazing views of Rio from the Christ to the Sugar Loaf.

We BBQ on the deck last night, and I don´t think you can really have asked for a better night.

The volunteers are all great, mostly from the UK, and three girls from the States, then there is only one 19 male in the house with 19 females; Poor guy. Everyone is doing different projects. I will be visiting them starting tomorrow.

Would you believe there was a free Rolling Stones concert in Rio last night on the beach in Copacabana. I was just one in two million people there.

http://www.rollingstones.com/news/


Other than that, Rio is amazing, eventually I will do some fun touristy things.

It's here

So I leave tomorrow, absolutely crazy really. I am trying to pack, while it is snowing outside.

All I know is it is easier to pack tank tops and bathingsuits when it is snowing outside, than when you are in 100 degrees trying to pack for the snow.

I wonder how I will do with my packing, I am trying to fit it all into one back pack.

Anyway, I will be sure to keep everyone up to date, whether they want me to or not! Hopefully it will be a fun and adventurous time! I can't wait to meet all our volunteers!

Brazil Countdown

Well I leave for Brazil in a week! I am so excited! I leave on the 16th arrive on the 17th. I will be staying at the volunteer house for the entire two weeks. I figured where better to spend Carnaval, than in Rio. (and Mom, you can stop worrying, I will be completely safe!!).

I will be going with our In Country Coordinator (ICC) and the volunteers to see the bands and to the parade; we will go with the locals on the cheap seats (from low-income communities where the samba schools are from – they know the lyrics and sing the songs together and cheer a lot when “their” favorite samba school parades).

I will also have a once in a lifetime opportunity to parade in one of the samba schools of the first group (the best one, according to the local, our ICC). A friend of the ICC who runs a social project and is connected to it and offered us costumes. I have attached some drawings of the costumes, however, I certainly will not look as sexy as the drawing.

Visa

Well I got the stamp in my visa last week! So calming when it comes back to you in the mail, and you have it in your hand!

So very exciting!

I just have to finish taking the typoid meds and I am on my way! I leave a week from today!

Shots

Tuesday, I meet with a Travel Clinic and I find out what shots I need to get to travel to Brazil, I figure if I plan to travel a lot in the next few years, I may as well just get all the shots I need right. OWE!!!

Off To Brazil

I will be venturing off to Brazil in February, for work and for a little vacation.

It is about three weeks until I got and I am already starting to get really excited! I have sent off for my visa and I am trying to get in touch with a Travel Clinic to get updated on all the shots. I figure is my goal is to travel the world, I may as well be prepared!

I have already gotten a bit of advice from people, as well as renting a few videos from the Library and the Lonely Planets!

I am already starting to take notes and figure out what I am going to be able to do in my 2 weeks!

This is just the start!