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!
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 descentРfacing Ṣo 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
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
This week I was introduced to a new type of Brazilian Music– Forró. It is what some would describe as Brazilian country music, I would have to say that it is a little more sexual than the country I know and love. Kelly and a few friends and I went out to Forró da Lapa for my first taste at the scene. The blue building you see at the bottom is the location and it, just as most places I share, has so much history! It is such an old ‘dance hall’ that it is considered one of the most traditional night clubs in Rio. Kelly was even telling me how she knows stories of when her grandfather used to come out to this same place so many years ago!
It was so fun once I got into it though. I was timid at first but I danced with a few old men who showed me the ropes. I realized that this type of dance is so uncommon in the U.S. which makes it seem more intimate to me, but this is just the way this type of dancing works. I also love that people don’t just stand around to enjoy live music here, everyone is dancing and totally into it. I wish we had more of that at home.
Ask me how much that stray arm hair on the left bothers me… #OCD
Just half of the dance floor fit in the frame…
Estudantina Musical during the day
This beautiful mural greets you at the entrance of the dance hall
Saara is about 5 square blocks of little shops in downtown Rio de Janeiro. This place has all of the essentials, and then some. Considering Carnival preparations are already taking place, a lot of the stores are taken over by costume and party inventory. You can see a sneak preview of the one Carnival costume I have picked out so far. Apparently I need to find a few more because there are 3 to 4 big days of dressing up!
Yes– that is a styrofoam butt… And, yes– there are styrofoam boobs that match.
I love trying the unique specialties everywhere I go in Brazil. These esfihas are a Lebanese specialty– the most authentic ones are found in Saara.
The amount of times I have made this ever-so-flattering face during this trip has reached concerning levels…
Yummy spinach and ricotta esfiha
  
  
Friday, Kelly arranged a tour for the historic port area of downtown Rio with Márcia, the woman who took me on the hike to Dois Irmãos. There is so much history that I can’t wait to share with everyone in the video I will make for Rio Encantos. The quick jist of it involves the original site of slave trafficking in Brazil. This area of downtown used to be where the land met the sea, so this is where the largest community of Africans lived post-slavery. To some, it is nicknamed ‘Little Africa’. There is still so much culture and pride in this neighborhoods as it pertains to the history. I got the opportunity to see one of the pre-carnival samba practices that was just out of this world. Such great music, smiles everywhere you look and people constantly moving around and dancing. The vibe was… you guessed it, unreal.
A miniature replica of a Favela at the MAR Museum.
Traipache Gamboa– One of the oldest samba bars in Rio
Inside Trapiche Gamboa
Example of the beautiful old architectural style that makes up the neighborhood.
The streets are filled with amazing street art such as this mural, which was a collaboration done by multiple artists.
Just the beginning of samba practice. The stairs on this hill were carved by slaves for loading/unloading ships.
My adorable boss and queen of Rio Encantos, Â Kelly Tavares!
Another samba practice site. Blue is this neighborhood’s color, which you will see most people wearing.
One of the most famous traditional restaurants of the neighborhood
The traditional dish is called ‘angu’. You can see the traditional version, which is Ox Tail on a bed of polenta.
My tour guides, Kelly and Márcia!
Yesterday was my first encounter with Favela Experience. Rio Encantos is forming somewhat of a partnership with this organization. Adam, who is friends with my boss, Kelly, is the director of this hostel within Favela Vidigal. Kelly and I went to meet with Adam and his team about the partnership and I shot some footage for a video about the organization which I will post on the blog when it is done! For now, here are some pictures from the Favela Experience HQ/ Hostel and the amazing views from Favela Vidigal. 
My first real adventure in Rio was a hike to Dois Irmãos. I am going to make a video of the hike for RioEncantos to publicize the activity as a tour the company offers. So, stay tuned for my first video! To get to the trail you have to go through one of the favelas in Rio. A favela, which is a Brazilian word for slum, is a huge concentrated area throughout the hills of Rio where people live. We had to drive up in one of the motor taxis, which are old white Volkswagon vans that zip up and down the narrow streets of the Favela. Even driving through for such a brief time, I was so taken aback by the way people live here. I am going back to do another video for a company that partners with RioEncantos and I can’t wait to get a better understanding of how communities like this work!
The hike was absolutely stunning. At the top you have a 360 degree view of Rio de Janeiro and all of its bairros (neighborhoods), Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf mountain. It was a great all encompassing perspective to see the city in which I will be living for the next few months!
How Brazilians drink coconut water!
The view on the way up a Montanha Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Mountain)
View of Favela Rocinha. This is the largest slum in all of Latin America
#WeAreOregon
One of my hiking buddies!
Sunset on the way down from Dois Irmãos
Dia 3. Segunda, 5 de Janeiro.
Brenna and Monika (the woman from Manaus) invited me to go to a less populated, reserved beach. It is what we would consider a nature preserve; the buildings are not right next to each other, the beach is less crowded and there is more natural foliage around. It was so nice to get an image of what Rio may have looked like before the city took over. Until the storm came in—yes, my first tropical storm. It wasn’t a big one, but my first experience of that sort. So strange. We were lying on the beach, so hot and I start hearing thunder. This was very confusing to me. Brenna and Monika told me to look inland, and sure enough the dark grey clouds were rolling in. We were there a total of around 1 hour before we returned to Brenna’s car.
Taking my first steps into the great adventures Rio has for me!
Dia 4. Terca, 6 de Janeiro.
I got my first AçaÃ!!! I think I ordered it wrong though because they blended granola and banana inside when I wanted it on top. There is just one example about how my Portuguese language skills will be needing some serious work… The açai is much sweeter here and less tart because instead of making it with apple juice, like at home, they mix the açai with guarana syrup. Guarana is another berry that is commonly made into a ginger ale-type soda that is very popular in Brazil. I love the soda; however, the syrup… way too sweet for me, I prefer the more tart version. But we’ll try again another day.
My first real Brazilian açai!!
I met with my boss for the first time! She is an adorable, tiny, brazilian woman. I will introduce you with pictures on a later post. We just met so she could give me a better explanation of what the company is all about, to see how I was doing, and go over some expectations and goals for the duration of my internship. She had a great bag of goodies for me. A Brazilian travel book, maps and a bunch of cultural pamphlets… etc. We talked about my internship, which is much different than I had anticipated. First of all, I am the only intern. I have no idea why, but for some reason I thought there would be other international interns that I was accepted into the program with. I was sort of bummed because I was really excited to meet people who are in a similar situation as me and to kind of get our footing together. But Kelly says she has many friends, and American ones at that, that she will introduce me to.  Also, RioEncantos is a grassroots company that is in its early years, still trying to find its footing. Everyone works from home, which means… no office. So I go on the adventures/tours and will be editing videos on my own time at Eloyh’s. Also, I don’t have a set schedule for every day. A few times a week I will participate in tours and then go home and fulfill our goal of about one video per week. Sounds kind of lonely at this point, but Kelly reassures me that she is here for me and that she will invite me to all sorts of activities and events where I won’t need to work. I am looking forward to that because at this point in the game, I am struggling to find a reason/confidence to leave the apartment on my own.
I do; however, have my first two events! Soon you will see a post from my hike to Montanha de Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Mountain), which is later today (Wednesday) and on Friday I will get a tour of Lapa by night. I am so excited to get the ball rolling on this adventure!
Later, I went to dinner with Monika! It was so nice to see a familiar face for the first time here! We caught up and exchanged experiences so far. We went to the same place for dinner that I went my first day with Ursula and her family. Since I didn’t pay for my lunch, I had no idea it would be $66 REAIS! There’s a mistake I wont make again. It’s a churrascaria, which is a Brazilian barbecue  and we were in the all you can eat section where they are constantly bringing you meat… even though I wasn’t hungry. The cheaper alternative to all you can eat is to pay by weight. That means you go to the buffet table only once and pay at the end by weight. You can always go back and get more, but you will still have to weigh it every time.
After dinner Monika took me to her place in Flamengo. I rode the metro for the first time which was fun! That is what Monika takes to school so she already knows how. I got a card and loaded money on it and we got on and were on our way. The subway is surprisingly clean. There is no trash anywhere, unlike the streets. It’s a little more expensive than the bus so from that and seeing people in nicer clothes (most likely coming from work and what not) From what I gather, I think the metro is more for wealthier people as opposed to the busses because of the overall appearance/environment and the price is a little more expensive. That made me a little more comfortable as well. Flamengo is so cute! Very historic buildings, and she lives right across the street from the estate where the Brazilian dictator lived! Monika’s aunt is so tiny and cute too! I had water and some jello and felt so relaxed. I was very happy to have even this brief snippet of time with someone I am comfortable with. Monika had school in the morning and studying to do so she walked me back to the metro and I rode it BY MYSELF! Very nerve wracking but I did it, and here I sit, living to tell the tale.
I found Monika (she obviously isn’t too pleased about my compulsive photographing)
Dia 5. Quarta, 7 de Janeiro.
I tried to go to the beach by myself. I was there for about an hour. The beaches here are nuts! So many people, especially because it’s Copacabana. But there are tents with people renting out chairs and umbrellas. But, get this, there are also people walking around selling refreshments. Anything from açai to caipirinhas… my favorite is the men with small kegs over their shoulders and they just pour you a cup of beer! On the beach! Crazy. Also, I’m not sure if it’s a Brazilian thing or just in Rio, but you do not lie on beach towels, you use cangas! They are just like a small, light tapestry. People on the beach also walk around with hundreds of them strung on an umbrella as their rack. I bought a very cute orange one today; I’m starting to feel like a real Carioca. Carioca is the word for Brazilians from Rio, kind of like Angelinos for Los Angeles. I couldn’t really enjoy going in the water because I left my stuff with some random women on the beach. I’m sure they were reliable, but I’m still just so nervous and uneasy about how to do things in this city alone. Like, how cautious I need to be. But the water felt great after I had been sweating on my canga. I’m reading Gone Girl, but I forgot the book in the U.S. like an idiot, so I just listen to the audio book with headphones on the beach… Very relaxing, I could get used to this. 🙂
My GoPro caught me trying to see if the picture had taken! Picture taken at Ipanema Beach.
My “canga”
I am going to hike Dois Irmãos later today! Very excited for that. It is the first video assignment for my internship. I do not know how to get to the meeting spot which is at the end of Ipanema beach, the Mirante do Leblon, so Eloyh’s grandson Conrado has offered to meet me here and join me on the hike. I am very excited to meet him, and stoked to do something outdoorsy! I’m sure there will be a post soon with plenty of pictures, so stay tuned.
Welcome to my first post! Here’s some background info concerning my internship abroad to get you up to speed.
Who: RioEncantos is a small grassroots organization in Rio de Janeiro. Here is a link to their website their website, if you want to take a look around– rioencantos.com. A brief explanation is that they have people in areas of Rio of which the small group of guides have the most knowledge, organize cultural tours with real Brazilians. The difference with Rio Encantos is that they are less your generic tourism group. The tours and meetings they organize are more based on local culture and going one step further for those who really want to get to know the city and immerse themselves in Brazilian life. I am still learning a lot about what they do, so I will keep you updated as I learn more.
What:Â Video marketing- to put it briefly. I will be tagging along on tours, filming and taking photos with my new Canon!!! (Thanks mom & dad) and my dad’s GoPro. As I complete videos I will share them here as well. I am compensated through (hopefully) 12 credit hours for my major of Public Relations at the University of Oregon.
Where:Â RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL!!! I am specifically living in Copacabana, 2 blocks away from the beach… I know, life is rough. haha
When:Â I have taken winter term off of school for this internship. So 10 weeks in this beautiful country, going on tours, making videos to marketing the company.
Why: This is a doozy… Why Brazil? Well, I am indeed Brazilian, I have duel citizenship and am traveling with my Brazilian passport. I wanted to come here because my mom’s entire side of the family is Brazilian. She and my grandparents always talk about trips they would constantly take when my mom was young. I have never traveled to Brazil and felt it odd that I hear so much about it, consider myself Brazilian, yet, I have no first hand experience of what that really means. So this is my opportunity to figure it out. Also, my discovery of this internship was just a match made in heaven. I knew I was going to study abroad but, that is 6 months away from friends and family and, for those of you who know me, I. Get. So. Homesick. So that was a no-go. This shorter period of 10 weeks, I feel, will give me just enough time to soak up any and all of the things I came here for. (It also doesn’t hurt that I am working for a tourism company…)
How: I honestly have no idea. My parents are the best in the world for motivating me to seize this opportunity and actually making it possible. I know I will take these experiences to not only grow as a person today, but remember and use in my life forever. So, thank you so much Paul & DOD for allowing me to become independent and grow! Love you guys 🙂 My Vô, who took care of all things travel, what he does best, planned my itinerary and made sure I got here in one piece. That type of stuff stresses me out so, he is a huge rockstar. Also his long-term connections in Brazil came in handy as well. Eloyh Seixas, one of his oldest friends, offered to let me stay in her home in Copacabana for the duration of my trip. Vô is also coming a week before my trip ends to take me around to where he grew up and visit my cousin Vera in São Paulo before returning to the U.S. And Vó… I’m still telling myself that you’re going to surprise me with Vô when he comes, so I am crossing my fingers. But for now, so sad you will not be here 😦
Ok. So. I’m here! Props to those of you who read all of that, I promise that will be the most text heavy of my posts. Â I arrived in Rio and Eloyh’s daughter, Ursula and granddaughter, Brenna, so generously picked me up from the airport and took me to my new home. Which is adorable by the way. I will post pictures later :). Eloyh is so sweet and even air conditioned my room for my arrival. But that night I went out to lunch with the daughter, Ursula and her husband, George and daughter, Brenna. I was feeling good until I got full and tired. Then- I got my first taste of homesickness. For those of you who I have been FaceTiming and Skyping constantly, you know how bad I have it. But its been a few days and it seems to be slowly regressing, so I hope I will get over it soon because I am not here for long and want/need to take it all in!
The second day I slept so late, most likely because of jet lag. That evening, Eloyh and I went to George’s birthday party at their house in Barra de Tijuca. Brazil is Hot. Hot. Hot. Hotter than any hot I have ever felt. So, we spent the afternoon on the porch of their apartment which had a nice breeze. Everyone is so nice and welcoming to me. The party was just me Eloyh, Ursula, George, Brenna, Brenna’s friend and one of George’s friends who lives in Manaus, Monika.  Conversation was consistent and easy, I have been mostly speaking English to everyone, I think just because they want to make sure I feel included. We ate pão de queijo and they were not shy in refilling our glasses with nice chilled wine. Later in the night, Brenna’s dogs needed to go out for a walk, so we went to the beach. My first time in the ocean was at 10:00 pm and was brilliant! The water is so warm, yet refreshing in the humid heat!
Brenna (left) and Monika (right)
Pão de queijo (cheesy bread) a.k.a. the way to my heart
Eliza Stapleberry 