Homeward bound! This would include sleeping, sleeping and more sleeping. By the time we arrived home (after a 15 hour bus ride) I was never so happy to take a shower and sleep in my own bed.
Overall, successful trip! Next time I will at least attempt to learn the language. For now, I will just dream of my starry nights in Brazil.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 11 - Sunday March 13
Another early morning... We departed for Rio around 5:30am.
Rio: An amazing yet slightly overwhelming city. We mostly toured the city by bus as celebrations from Carnival were still going on. Apparently in Rio, after Carnival ends, the city celebrates the winner of Samba for 7 days. There were parades and people dressed up! It was much fun to witness from the inside of the bus. Most of my pictures come from inside the bus.
One of the most amazing parts of Rio was going up to the Christ statue. We took a train ride up there. Even though I am not a spiritual person, the huge statue of Christ in the middle of the fog was quite... effective.
The view of the city, despite the fog, was quite amazing as well.
It was after this that my body started telling me it was tired. Although missing some of the sites, I was satisfied with sleeping in my seat.
Finally... we started our journey home.
Rio: An amazing yet slightly overwhelming city. We mostly toured the city by bus as celebrations from Carnival were still going on. Apparently in Rio, after Carnival ends, the city celebrates the winner of Samba for 7 days. There were parades and people dressed up! It was much fun to witness from the inside of the bus. Most of my pictures come from inside the bus.
One of the most amazing parts of Rio was going up to the Christ statue. We took a train ride up there. Even though I am not a spiritual person, the huge statue of Christ in the middle of the fog was quite... effective.
The view of the city, despite the fog, was quite amazing as well.
Finally... we started our journey home.
Day 10 - Saturday March 12
Following the wind farm, we were able to have lunch and free time at the beach! The beach is one of my favorite places. It is was so much fun to be able to put my feet in the sand and jump in the water! One of the most amazing aspects to it was that from the beach you could see the wind park and Brazilians did not mind it at all.
Day 9 - Friday March 11
Parliament was only the beginning of our morning. Dressed as nice as we could, (for Americans) we were off to Parliament. We took a tour and were allowed to actual see a session in progress. What I found interesting was that there was a man sitting in front of me on twitter, on his ipad. I'm not sure why it seemed odd, but it just seemed so.... American to me. Perhaps unexpected is a better word.
We then went through their history museum in the Parliament building. It was amazing to hear about everything Brazil has been through to get where they are today! Certainly, Brazilians must be proud. There were priceless pieces of art and original documents that were a treasure to see. There was even a book by Oscar Wilde in Portuguese.
Again, I wish I had taken more pictures!
After Parliament we went on to visit several companies including a company that made transformers and an organization that was working toward bridging the gap in companies with low income areas. The bottom line of society seems to play a larger role with Brazilian companies than with American companies. It is hard to compare, but it seems as though there is a larger push with Brazilian companies to support communities.
If my memory is correct, that was the night I truly made some friends with several of the girls on the trip. The best part of the trip was the friendships I brought home!
We then went through their history museum in the Parliament building. It was amazing to hear about everything Brazil has been through to get where they are today! Certainly, Brazilians must be proud. There were priceless pieces of art and original documents that were a treasure to see. There was even a book by Oscar Wilde in Portuguese.
Again, I wish I had taken more pictures!
After Parliament we went on to visit several companies including a company that made transformers and an organization that was working toward bridging the gap in companies with low income areas. The bottom line of society seems to play a larger role with Brazilian companies than with American companies. It is hard to compare, but it seems as though there is a larger push with Brazilian companies to support communities.
If my memory is correct, that was the night I truly made some friends with several of the girls on the trip. The best part of the trip was the friendships I brought home!
Day 8 - Thursday March 10
Off the the university we go! We started the morning by visiting the university. We were able to interact with some of the local students (some who might come to study at ASU!) and were able to hear lectures from professors and students. Our own Dr. Meznar gave a presentation on ASU! Some highlights from that visit included:
1. The art exhibit: There was an exhibit called Paris at Night. There were beautiful black and white pictures of the gritty yet beautiful side of Paris.
2. Green: The whole campus seemed to blossom! There were trees and plants all around! Please pardon the picture of me. The longer we stayed in Brazil the larger my hair became.
3. There were two German students who were at the college. Their advice included wearing sunscreen at all times and eat the food. They said there would be "two interesting weeks" but after that, you would be fine. Perhaps I could study in Brazil!
4. Attitude: The attitude of students in Brazil seemed much more relaxed than in the States. Perhaps this was due to coming back after a break for Carnival but they did not seem stressed at all!
1. The art exhibit: There was an exhibit called Paris at Night. There were beautiful black and white pictures of the gritty yet beautiful side of Paris.
2. Green: The whole campus seemed to blossom! There were trees and plants all around! Please pardon the picture of me. The longer we stayed in Brazil the larger my hair became.
4. Attitude: The attitude of students in Brazil seemed much more relaxed than in the States. Perhaps this was due to coming back after a break for Carnival but they did not seem stressed at all!
Day 7 - Wednesday March 9
Landfill bound! We woke the next morning and enjoyed the hotel breakfast which included my favorite, coffee. Soon we were on our way to the landfill. Once we reached here we were briefed on how the Brazilian waste management system worked. Basically, trash is taken to the landfill and from there, workers separate out recyclables. These recyclables, plastics, metals, etc., are then taken to different facilities. I wish I had taken pictures! We were able to have lunch with a couple of the workers and it was a great pleasure to learn from their valuable experiences.
Another event of the day, that I wish I had taken pictures, was the bank. Probably one of the biggest insights to the culture of low income families in Fortaleza. This bank had established its own currency for the area and could only be spent in the area. In doing this, it helped support local businesses and push the economy up. From what the manager told us, it was really helping the local community.
Another event of the day, that I wish I had taken pictures, was the bank. Probably one of the biggest insights to the culture of low income families in Fortaleza. This bank had established its own currency for the area and could only be spent in the area. In doing this, it helped support local businesses and push the economy up. From what the manager told us, it was really helping the local community.
Day 6 - Tuesday March 8
Good morning sleepy head... This was not a bright eyed morning for me. Most of it seems like a blur after coming off the plane with little sleep. We packed ourselves on a bus, luggage and all. From what I remember, we drove around the city for a bit. I think I stayed on the bus sleeping until we reached the ocean.
Once we got to the hotel, I crashed into a bed and slept until we went to eat our steak dinner. It was quite a feast and I probably could have slept another two days after I had so much food! Steak, steak and more steak!
That night a bunch of us went to the beach for the final night of Carnival. We took in the sights (even though it rained) and we enjoyed the music and dancing on the sand.
Once we got to the hotel, I crashed into a bed and slept until we went to eat our steak dinner. It was quite a feast and I probably could have slept another two days after I had so much food! Steak, steak and more steak!
That night a bunch of us went to the beach for the final night of Carnival. We took in the sights (even though it rained) and we enjoyed the music and dancing on the sand.
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