Here is my last video for my internship *tear tear*. I cannot believe that this experience is coming to an end… but I will save the emotional bit for another post.
I did both of these tours during Rio’s 450th anniversary weekend so both were in very lively and happy spirited environments. and hope that that translated well into this video!
Wanna go on one of these tours yourself, or browse other options? Click on the RioEncantos logo below!
Sunday was the city of Rio de Janeiro’s official 450th anniversary! I spent the day full of Cariocalicious activities. In the morning, I went to my last Ipanema Hippie Fair! 😦 So sad, it is the artisan fair that happens every Sunday in General Osorio Square in Ipanema. Considering it was my last Sunday in Rio and a great present and souvenir purchasing opportunity, I went hard for the money, literally. But I know it will be so worth it when I get to see all of my loved ones open their presents 🙂 (you know who you are- get ready folks!
The second half of the day, I went on my last Rio Encantos tour 😦 EXTRA SAD! This time we went to Morro das Prazeres, a region of Santa Teresa that is decked out completely in street art. To celebrate Rio’s anniversary, there was a live installation of new murals that we got to witness first hand as well! It was amazing to see how much of a positive influence some color and personal expression can have on a community! Literally happiness oozing from the walls.
Our guide’s front stoop
One of the french women who came with Rio Encantos, admiring the community above.
A playground with a view!
I could not stop taking pictures the entire time, but the vibe of this community could not be captured by camera– you have to come see it yourself! Click here to set up a tour!
Oi gente! My newest video is officially up on Rio Encantos’ website! This video is about the different Cariocas nights tours that RioEncantos offers. If you didn’t know, a ‘Carioca’ is someone who lives in Rio de Janeiro– just like someone from Los Angeles is an ‘Angelino’. Here you can see the different night life environments as a Carioca, and what I have been doing with my nights (working and sometimes not working) while in Rio.
Saude!
To see more of my videos or other tours offered by RioEncantos… click this pic!
The calm before the storm…
So I made a new friend! Meet Shadee, she RioEncantos’ intern for next term from Germany! She came early to get settled and experience Carnaval before her internship starts. We became very fast friends! I spend most of my time with her now because we, considering she is starting the same job as me, have very similar schedules. It is so nice to have a little buddy around! Anyway, before Carnaval started, Shadee, Kelly and I went on a quick tour of Lapa and Centro. The emptiness was quickly filled around 8 hours after we were there, when Carnaval hit.
Lapa Arches, with the famous cone shaped Metropolitan Cathedral behind.
Teatro Municipal
Ironic pre/post technological long distance relationships… Get it?
I have a soft spot for love letters ❤
Woman made this art from her father’s day planners that he never threw away… sounds like me. I still have my planners from middle school
RioEncantos intern love!
I need to do this to my room!
this photo does not do the sunset justice
And so it begins… Carnaval began. The main events of Carnaval are called ‘blocos’ and there are about 20 per day. You can go to 2 maybe 3 in a day if you’re really trying to get after it. But they are in just about every neighborhood of Rio and consist of a bunch of people parading down the street. There is a samba band on top of a huge speaker truck and people just getting silly all over the streets. The first one we went to was the Carmelita’s bloco Santa Teresa. Which by the way is a beautiful neighborhood upon a hill with amazing panoramic views of the port and Botafogo (kind of reminded me of home).
I need to remember this store in Santa Teresa, they had amazing hand made art all having to do with Rio!
Copacabana Palace at night!
…al. I’m sure you got the memo though
The next night, Kelly got Shadee and I the amazing opportunity to go to the Rio Scenarium to film her friend Sara sing. It is a very popular, high class club and the line was almost around the block! I am so excited Kelly got Shadee and I VIP passes, because we would have otherwise not been able to go. It was a much different and less chaotic atmosphere than the blocos so that was a nice breath of fresh air. What I loved most was the beautiful, eclectic interior decor. 🙂
Lapa Arches at night on my way home 🙂
The Sunday after Carnaval had ended, there was a concert for a bloco that turned into a performing group. Monobloco is their name and it was an amazing performance at the Fundiçaão Progresso in Lapa. It was like a bloco but in perfect conditions; indoors, fans everywhere and concert seating (though no one was sitting) haha. It was also sponsored by a bank so the event was impressively put together. Shadee and I, being the PR and marketing students we are, commented on the amazing promotional aspects of the event! There were hats and bracelets for free, a man dressed as an ATM to take your photo on the screen, and the best part- Carnaval makeovers! Yes- you read correctly… just wait for the photos.
Beautiful venue
ATM photo!
The back porch had an amazing scene of the Lapa Arches!
and upstairs…
Carnaval makeup!
And, without further adieu, SAMBADROME! The Sambadrome is where the samba schools “desfile” or parade down this long street. There is a bateria (band), singers, various floats and sections of costumes that all contribute to the schools’ theme. To give you an idea of how long this Sambadrome is/slow the parade goes (probably a combination of the two, it takes the school about an hour for each school to get to the end. Shadee and I went to the Champions’ Parade on Sunday, after the winners had already been announced. Here’s some math for you; if there were 6 champions, the parade started at 10, and it takes each school an hour to finish their ‘desfile’; what time did it end? Think about it. We only stayed for around two; we couldn’t hang with the Brazilians this time.
…A more accurate facial expression
This samba school, Portela, actually had parasailers fly into the parade with fire shooting off of them!
All of the people on the floats have to get lifted off on the end by cranes!
all of the ‘fantasias’ or costumes at the end of the Sambadrome. People collect them from the participants as they undress and resell them… smart cookies
And that is just a little snippet of my Carnaval experience. Now I am working on the last few assignments for my internship here. I cant believe I only have 3 weeks left, and 2 until my grandpa comes! I can’t wait to see him and go to São Paulo to visit where he and my grandmother grew up! This experience has gone by so fast and I couldn’t be more excited about how it has turned out so far.
As I said in my previous blog post about the tour of Rocinha, it was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. I am so excited to finally share the video that I produced for RioEncantos with everyone. It really does not do the experience justice though, if you ever find yourself in Rio you MUST go on this tour!
So finally I did some standard touristy things! Here’s a post about my second hike up Dois Irmãos, first trip to Christo Redentor and Salgueiro Samba School practice!
This time, I went on the Dois Irmãos hike with some study abroad students. So it was really fun to be able to show them the way up and experience this beautiful view with some other Americans. Also, we took the moto taxi’s up (Sorry again, mom and dad) and had to do our best to hide our gringa-ness. In a group of Americans that is almost impossible. They tried to charge a few of us extra for the trip up but from my prior knowledge and after asking the police men at the bottom, I stuck with the R$3 charge even though my motorcyclist was annoyed… sorry dude, not this gringa!
first and foremost– #GODUCKS
*falling into Ipanema!!!*
The descent– facing São Conrado beach and mountain
Mutual friend friends! Thanks Jack!
The next day I visited the big man on Corcovado. Yes, I have been here for over a month and not visited Christo. The view was unreal! I could see all of Rio. We also took the earliest train up which was a great idea because it wasn’t too crowded. So that is my #1 suggestion, if you ever go up to christo, go as early as possible, and get a train ticket online in advance. Another perk about going so early was that it was super clear, and the sun was in a perfect spot to take photos!
Overlooking Botafogo bay on the left, Pão de Açúcar
Train workshop!
Looking into Guanabara Bay. In the middle of the mountain range you can see God’s Finger if you look closely
It was also a great geography lesson… From left to right: Botofogo, Sugarloaf, Praia Vermellha, Leme, Copcabana.
All of Ipanema and the Lagoa behind!
It was histerical watching everyone lay down to take pictures of people with the Christo. Here is my lovely guide Márcia doing her best attempt.
annoying bee…
Hey guys
The other night I went to one of Salgueiro’s last practices before Carnival begins. It was more like a celebratory party rewarding everyone for their hard working in getting everything organized. There was an entrance fee but the complimentary food was delicious. If I remember correctly, Salgueiro school is from Minas Gerais, so the food was a traditional dish from their people. And obviously soooo delicious.
One really cool ting about Brazil is that, at least during my experience with Carnival and the participation in these samba schools, I have not found one face without an ear to ear smile. It’s not just that everyone is not in a bad mood, but everyone is in a gleamingly amazing mood. The attitude this environment gives off just radiates joy and you can’t help but feel like you are a part of it. Dancing, loud, live music, good food and even better drinks– how could you be anything but joyful? I am so impressed with this wonderful culture.
Carnival has started! Rio is nuts right now! I will do my best to take my GoPro out. I want to find a place to buy a head strap for it… I think that would be so fun! But wish me luck out there! I will report back ASAP
So.. Where do I even begin about this tour. Sunday, the company I intern for, Rio Encantos, arranged a tour of Favela Rocinha right here in Rio de Janeiro. Our tour guide, Erik (far right in the picture below) lives in Rocinha, and could not have been a more perfect person to lead the tour and give us real insight from a local’s perspective. Rocinha is one of the largest favelas in all of Latin America ad really is its own city within a city. So far, if there is one tour that you need to do in Rio, and is worth the R$50 to go with Rio Encantos, I really believe this is the one you need to pay to do. Sunday was one is the most life changing experiences I have encountered and you have to live it for yourself to understand why. If you don’t have that opportunity, I will do my best to show you here, on the blog, and in the video I am producing for RioEncantos coming soon!
Our group! Gringas, Cariocas and our tour guide, Erik Martins (far right)
Sorry mom and dad, I had to give the mototaxi a try!
Amazing view of Rio at the top of Rocinha!
“gata electrica” Where the favela residents get their electricity from the city lines for free which is somewhat of a controversy in Rio.
View overlooking Rocinha towards São Conrado beach from one of the homes in the favela. Portal JoanasBrasil is a family who opens their home to visitors for R$5 to take pictures of the view and sip some Caiprinhas!
Another picture of the view at Portal JoanasBrasil!
And some parts don’t have as great of a view. Here is an example of one of the more claustrophobic streets in the middle of the day! No natural sunlight or airflow, and feel lucky that you can’t smell the sewer that runs through Rocinha through the picture…
Rain started pouring at the end of our tour, but here is a watery picture of the group in front of Rocinha at night!
I cannot put into words how much you need to go on this tour if you are in Rio! I will do my best to translate that into my video coming soon! #RioEncantos
As promised in my previous post about Iguaçu, here is the video I put together of our journey through the amazing waterfalls.
beijos gente!
Our last day in Iguçu was spent at the bird park on the Brazil side. Getting up close and personal with so many tropical birds and animals was so fun and new because these species are not abundantly found in our animal parks in the states– at least not enough to fill an entire park, like they did here! Strange tidbit… I always wonder what the hell is going through these guys’ heads. Anyone else have that cross their mind? No? … good talk.
Anywhoozleberries… This experience was an AMAZING opportunity to mess with my new Canon DSLR. I have zero formal training in photography so I really capitalized on the variety of textures and vibrant colors that the plants and animals provided! I think I did okay for a beginner. Enjoy my first attempt and I would love any and all constructive criticisms that my readers may have. That’s what this is all about!
Poor guys can’t have a moment alone…
So fun playing with macro settings!
Where’s Captain Jack?
There was an entire walk-through exhibit full of butterflies! It was like a dream!
I’m sad I couldn’t capture it quick enough, but this guy is a beautiful vibrant blue on the inside of his wings!
Gettin’ our history in
This guy reminded me of the snake from The Jungle Book… Who’s with me?
You can call me Elizabeth Swan
I am sitting in the Foz de Iguaçu airport in Brasil on the way back to Rio after an amazing weekend trip!. Conrado and I met my friends from high school, Dean and Andrew, who are studying abroad in Buenos Aires for a little hometown comfort. As this weekend marks the halfway point to my time abroad– this is just what I needed to get over the hump. The hotel in Argentina was amazing! The day we got there we took the afternoon to relax by the pool and prepare for our big adventure at the falls the next day.
1st stamp on my Brazilian passport!
We got to the park on Saturday and planned for a few different tours. We had to walk to the falls and it felt like a scene out of The Jungle Book. I can’t say that the tropical forest environment is my favorite because of the bugs and the humidity, but it was most definitely a different experience that I was amazed by.
Squad.
The first tour we reached during our hike was on a boat that was nuts! we literally went right under some of the waterfalls. These GoPro screenshots are a hilarious preview of the video I took when we went under the falls. Stay tuned– this video is going out be priceless.
The views were… ‘jaw dropping’
Calm before the storm…
So much fun out on the boat.
After the boat times, we took a nice (slow) little train ride to the big daddy– Garganta do Diablo, or Devil’s Throat. The entire walkway to the main view from above the falls is a bridge that is around a 20 minute walk. There are a total of 14 falls with a 350 foot drop. I can’t even describe in words how awestruck I was. So much water, constantly falling… It seems like an obvious observation but I was left completely dumbfounded. I’m sure the video won’t do it justice, but I will do my best!
If i had a dollar for every picture I have of this kid sleeping in public…
Garganta do Diablo || Devil’s Throat, Argentina
The Wild Stapleberry’s loyal travel companions
Next post I am working on is of the Bird Park that Conrado and I visited on Sunday. It was really great practice for using my DSLR, I got to play around a lot with the beautiful colors and textures of the tropical birds, so I cant wait to share that up next! And, the adventures only continue for the Wild Stapleberry–This week I am working on the Historic Downtown Rio video for Rio Encantos, will go on a tour of Favela Rocinha for the first time and hopefully finalize the Favela Experience video. I have a long week of work ahead of me so get excited for a lot of updates on the blog. 🙂
Eliza Stapleberry 