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! 馃槮 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 馃檪 (you know who you are- get ready folks!
The second half of the day, I went on my last Rio Encantos tour 馃槮 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 Irm茫os, first trip to Christo Redentor and Salgueiro Samba School practice!
This time, I went on the Dois Irm茫os 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 S茫o 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,聽and the sun was in a perfect spot to take photos!
Overlooking Botafogo bay on the left, P茫o de A莽煤car
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 M谩rcia 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?聽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
I am sitting in the Foz de Igua莽u 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聽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. 聽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聽different聽experience that I was amazed by.
Squad.
The first tour we reached during our hike was on a boat that聽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聽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!聽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. 馃檪
Here is a quick video I threw together during some downtime I had from my internship. It’s a follow-up to my original Petr贸polis blog post. This is my first time experimenting with Vimeo and I am somewhat upset that it will not let you watch the video in HD unless you redirect to the Vimeo site. So do that and you can watch a much higher quality version than the one here. Let me know what you think 馃檪
Petr贸polis || Rio de Janeiro from Elizabeth Stapleton on Vimeo.
Eliza Stapleberry 