So my time in Rio is coming to a close.
Yesterday I went to a souvenir market and got some good deals on a shirt, decorative towel type thing, and a hat. Afterwards I was at a costume ball, and it was really amazing to see all of the costumes and people dancing from all over the world. I got there around 11:30 at night but didn´t leave until 6 AM. The party was still going strong then.
Today I woke up with the hopes that the 4th time (yes, 4th time) would be the charm with hang gliding. After waiting an hour past the time they were supposed to show up (again), I spoke with the hostel owner. They said they would maybe be there in an hour and a half, but I told him I was just too frustrated and not willing to wait around again. So my next trip to Rio will have to include hang gliding.
Today has been a lazy day of sleeping, packing, and saying goodbye to new friends. It´s so cool meeting other people that are traveling from all over the world, and it really makes you realize how we are all one people. Facebook has made it much easier to stay in contact, and hopefully these are people that I will be able to visit and that will be able to visit me.
I can say that I am not going to miss the heat (today I was lying in bed and realized it was a cool day. It was 92 degrees) nor the disorganization that seems to be a part of Brazil´s culture. A good example of this is that they used too much water during Carneval yesterday, so the city decided to shut down all water for the Centro region of Rio for the next 48 hours. This means that I do not get to shower before I leave for my flight tomorrow morning, but I have been through worse. Despite those downsides, I found people that were willing to help me when I was unsure of where to go and Brazilians that treated me with great hospitality during my stay here. They have a sense of fun and being happy, even if they have much less that us Americans have. I will look forward to coming back here when the opportunity arises.
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What day is it?
I think it´s Tuesday.
Seriously, time goes by very quickly here. The days seem to blend together as I meet new people, spend more time with people from my hostel, and explore Rio.
On Saturday I did a full day tour of the major sights of Rio organized through the hostel. We saw the cathedral, which is very famous but also very controversial. It is shaped like a square and has entrances in the front and two sides, and its unconventional design disappoints a good amount of people here.
After that, we tried to see the Sambodome, but it was way too crowded and busy for us to get near. So instead we headed to the football stadium. Apparently it is world famous, as it hosted the 1950 World Cup andwas able to seat 200,000 people until part of collapsed during a game. They have since put regulations in that everyone in the stadium has to sit, and that standing room isn´t allowed, which has brought its capacity down to about 94.000. Rio gets to host the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic games, so that´s awesome for them.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to see the inside of the stadium or the musuem, but it was cool getting to see it from the outside and snap these pictures.
Then we got to see the Christ the Redeemer statue in the Corcovado mountain range. He overlooks Rio and his arms are wide open to the city, and it took 9 years to build it. It was finished in 1931.
Later on in the day we went to an all you can eat buffet as well as the Selaron staircase that leads from Lapa to Santa Teresa. About 20 years ago an artist named Selaron decided he was going to take colorful tile that he collected from his travels and start decorating the stairs. He still works on it on a daily basis, and I was able to get a picture with him when I was there.
The last stop of the day was the Sugar Loaf. We took a cable car up to the first level, and the view was pretty amazing. Then when we went up to the next level, and I was able to see the Christ the Redeemer stuate in the distance. That was the end of the tour.
Other than that, my days have been spent exploring with other backpackers and spending time at the beach. My 3rd attempt at hang gliding is supposed to happen in about half an hour, and the hostel promised me that it will happen this time. Hopefully they will keep their word.
Seriously, time goes by very quickly here. The days seem to blend together as I meet new people, spend more time with people from my hostel, and explore Rio.
On Saturday I did a full day tour of the major sights of Rio organized through the hostel. We saw the cathedral, which is very famous but also very controversial. It is shaped like a square and has entrances in the front and two sides, and its unconventional design disappoints a good amount of people here.
After that, we tried to see the Sambodome, but it was way too crowded and busy for us to get near. So instead we headed to the football stadium. Apparently it is world famous, as it hosted the 1950 World Cup andwas able to seat 200,000 people until part of collapsed during a game. They have since put regulations in that everyone in the stadium has to sit, and that standing room isn´t allowed, which has brought its capacity down to about 94.000. Rio gets to host the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic games, so that´s awesome for them.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to see the inside of the stadium or the musuem, but it was cool getting to see it from the outside and snap these pictures.
Then we got to see the Christ the Redeemer statue in the Corcovado mountain range. He overlooks Rio and his arms are wide open to the city, and it took 9 years to build it. It was finished in 1931.
Later on in the day we went to an all you can eat buffet as well as the Selaron staircase that leads from Lapa to Santa Teresa. About 20 years ago an artist named Selaron decided he was going to take colorful tile that he collected from his travels and start decorating the stairs. He still works on it on a daily basis, and I was able to get a picture with him when I was there.
The last stop of the day was the Sugar Loaf. We took a cable car up to the first level, and the view was pretty amazing. Then when we went up to the next level, and I was able to see the Christ the Redeemer stuate in the distance. That was the end of the tour.
Other than that, my days have been spent exploring with other backpackers and spending time at the beach. My 3rd attempt at hang gliding is supposed to happen in about half an hour, and the hostel promised me that it will happen this time. Hopefully they will keep their word.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
First day traveling and first day in Rio
So the trip out of New York was the start of one big adventure. I am on a public computer now so pictures will be inserted once I have wifi.
Here I am camping out at the airport:
I befriended a native Brazilian that was on the 4:15 flight from JFK going directly to Rio, and with the snow getting worse he suggested trying to get on that flight rather than the 5:40 one I was scheduled for. I tried, but apparently I was too late to do so. Here is what things looked like while I waited:
The snow was piling up, but we boarded around 5:40. For the next 3 hours we sat while huge machines were de-icing the wings and entire plane. Looking out the window I could see frost and ice accumulating on the window, and I thought that was not a good sign. When I asked a flight atendant when we would take off, he told me that the captain was debating cancelling it at that moment. Here's what it looked like:
Luckily the plane took off around 9 at night. The flight was pretty comfortable, as I had a seat free next to me and they had video screens in front of us to watch movies and play all types of games. The food was good, and we landed in Sao Paulo around 9 the following morning. Here we are touching down:
By that point I missed my connecting flight, but they had rebooked me on a flight leaving at 12:30. There were 2 problems with this: 1.One of my luggage pieces did not show up and 2. The new flight was leaving from another airport in Sao Paulo. I spent about 45 minutes trying to get to talk to somoene from the airline about my bag but finally got to file a report. I then spent half an hour standing in the wrong line waiting to get info on how to get to the other airport. Once I found out I was supposed to be outside waiting for a shuttle but, it was already 11.
I got on the shuttle bus at 11:30, and I thought there was no chance of me making the 12:30 flight. Luckily flights to Rio from there run every half hour, so when I arrived I got booked on the 2:00 flight and had to board right away. I made a mad dash to the gate and made it there at about 1:35.
The next flight was uneventful, and after asking for help with a taxi I was able to get a legit one for 37 reales (about 20 dollars). I got checked into my hostel around 3:30 or so, and it was such a relief to be there. The heat here is crazy, as it must be about 90 degrees and there is humidity on top of that. Once I got settled I went out exploring with an English couple, and we got some nice pictures of the Santa Teresa area and then got a bite to eat. I got a hamburger made of lamb, but it was served without the bun.
Now I am working on plans for hang gliding and taking tours over the next few days. I am in serious need of a tan, so the beach is definitely on the agenda for tomorrow. It is such a good feeling to finally be here and that everything has worked out.
Here I am camping out at the airport:
I befriended a native Brazilian that was on the 4:15 flight from JFK going directly to Rio, and with the snow getting worse he suggested trying to get on that flight rather than the 5:40 one I was scheduled for. I tried, but apparently I was too late to do so. Here is what things looked like while I waited:
The snow was piling up, but we boarded around 5:40. For the next 3 hours we sat while huge machines were de-icing the wings and entire plane. Looking out the window I could see frost and ice accumulating on the window, and I thought that was not a good sign. When I asked a flight atendant when we would take off, he told me that the captain was debating cancelling it at that moment. Here's what it looked like:
Luckily the plane took off around 9 at night. The flight was pretty comfortable, as I had a seat free next to me and they had video screens in front of us to watch movies and play all types of games. The food was good, and we landed in Sao Paulo around 9 the following morning. Here we are touching down:
By that point I missed my connecting flight, but they had rebooked me on a flight leaving at 12:30. There were 2 problems with this: 1.One of my luggage pieces did not show up and 2. The new flight was leaving from another airport in Sao Paulo. I spent about 45 minutes trying to get to talk to somoene from the airline about my bag but finally got to file a report. I then spent half an hour standing in the wrong line waiting to get info on how to get to the other airport. Once I found out I was supposed to be outside waiting for a shuttle but, it was already 11.
I got on the shuttle bus at 11:30, and I thought there was no chance of me making the 12:30 flight. Luckily flights to Rio from there run every half hour, so when I arrived I got booked on the 2:00 flight and had to board right away. I made a mad dash to the gate and made it there at about 1:35.
The next flight was uneventful, and after asking for help with a taxi I was able to get a legit one for 37 reales (about 20 dollars). I got checked into my hostel around 3:30 or so, and it was such a relief to be there. The heat here is crazy, as it must be about 90 degrees and there is humidity on top of that. Once I got settled I went out exploring with an English couple, and we got some nice pictures of the Santa Teresa area and then got a bite to eat. I got a hamburger made of lamb, but it was served without the bun.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Last few days in Jersey and waiting at the airport
So the time snuck up on me faster than I thought it would. My last few days included eating with family at Texas Roadhouse for the last time in a while, getting a free Grand Slam from Denny's, visiting friends and playing Wii and Dance Dance Revolution, Settlers of Catan, and visiting my school for a tapas event.
I was really stressed out yetsterday after seeing the weather forecast and was trying to frantically see about getting out on a flight for Tuesday instead of Wednesday, but the flight was full. It was still on my mind while I was at school, but the tapas event was a nice break and was a good opportunity to see some of my students again as well as some of my teaching colleauges.
After I realized that there was nothing I could do to change my flight or the weather, I decided I was simply going to enjoy my last day before the trip and just take the flight one step at a time. I had dinner with friends Tuesday night, and when I left their place around 7:45 it was already snowing, and it had accumulated quite a bit. (Weather.com was forecasting it to start at 10 or so, so I was suprised that it came earlier than that.)
Then I was off to another friend's to visit, and I stayed until about 11:30. None of us bothered to look out the window at that time, but there was probably about 6 inches then. Luckily I had brushes and ice scrapers with me, and I made it home safe and sound.
My dad and I ended up leaving around 7 in the morning, and luckily the weather had taken a break from snow, and we were getting rain. The roads were mostly clear with a little bit of slush, and here is a shot from along the way:
I was really stressed out yetsterday after seeing the weather forecast and was trying to frantically see about getting out on a flight for Tuesday instead of Wednesday, but the flight was full. It was still on my mind while I was at school, but the tapas event was a nice break and was a good opportunity to see some of my students again as well as some of my teaching colleauges.
After I realized that there was nothing I could do to change my flight or the weather, I decided I was simply going to enjoy my last day before the trip and just take the flight one step at a time. I had dinner with friends Tuesday night, and when I left their place around 7:45 it was already snowing, and it had accumulated quite a bit. (Weather.com was forecasting it to start at 10 or so, so I was suprised that it came earlier than that.)
Then I was off to another friend's to visit, and I stayed until about 11:30. None of us bothered to look out the window at that time, but there was probably about 6 inches then. Luckily I had brushes and ice scrapers with me, and I made it home safe and sound.
My dad and I ended up leaving around 7 in the morning, and luckily the weather had taken a break from snow, and we were getting rain. The roads were mostly clear with a little bit of slush, and here is a shot from along the way:
We got to the airport around 9:45 or so, and by that time the weather had switched back to snow. I found the window for TAM Airlines, but the woman was busy helping others. So I decided to double check the weight of my bags. A guy helped me use a scale at a window, and my bags were 54 and 60 pounds each. He told me that the weight limit was 50 pounds per bag, which was contrary to what the airline told me of 70 pounds per bag.
I checked out a store in the airport that sold luggage pieces and carryon luggage, but a small duffel bag was $82. So that started the Great Repacking. I pulled out things for my dad to mail to me, and I started moving heavier items into my carryon pieces. After about half an hour of that and reweighing bags, my dad was able to talk to the woman at the desk for TAM Airlines, and it turns out that the baggage limits for TAM were indeed 70 pounds. So everything went back into my bags after all.
While my dad was waiting in line for the airline, he started talking to a woman also waiting in line. It turns out that she is Brazlian but living in New York and is traveling there to visit family for Carneval. She was also checking the weight of her bags, and it turns out she's on the same flight as me. My dad and I and her got lunch together and got to talk some more. She was giving me travel advice and even went as far as to call her son in law who lives and grew up in Rio. She talked to him and told him about me, and he is willing to show me around over the weekend. She even told me that she will be back for the entire month of September and offered to show me around if I wanted to visit her then. I have her number there to call her. Once they learn that you are visiting their country, the hospitality of complete strangers never ceases to amaze me.
This is completely off topic, but apparently men in the JFK airport need help with their aim in the restrooms:
The first urnial I went to looked like it had a dead fly in it, so I went to the next one. Then I realized that every single urinal has a small fly painted on the inside of it. I guess maybe other guys don't have such as good aim as me, and perhaps this cuts down on costs of cleaning the floors of the restroom.
So I got in line to check in around 12:15 or so, and it was time to say bye to my dad. I'm going to miss him, and we got a picture together before he headed back:
I've claimed a small area of the floor next to an outlet, and my Ipod and camera are completely charged. My laptop is plugged in now too. I still have over 2 hours before I have to get ready for boarding. It looks like my flight will be fine after all of my worrying, and asking all of my friends and family to cross their fingers and toes for me also helped out too.
Now hopefully my flight to Sao Paulo will go smoothly as well as making my connecting flight to Rio.
Countdown to departure: 3 hours 10 minutes
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Half packed and getting ready to go....
The trip is drawing near, yet I don't think it has hit me that I'm leaving yet.
The day after my last post I got my currency to travel to Brazil and Chile. I was able to get Brazilian reales and Chilean pesos for the exact exchange rate at AAA, and I didn't have to pay any fees. It's interesting looking at the colors and figures featured on the currencies of different countries as well as the conversion rate. US $200 is the equivalent of about 88,000 Chilean pesos, for example.
I decided to stop just putting my things to pack into piles in the other room and to actually try packing it. I was dreading this since the weight restrictions have dropped from about 72 lbs per bag from my year in Germany ten years ago to 50 lbs per bag now, but it looks like I will actually be ok. After vacuum bagging a bunch of my clothes and packing some other stuff into one of my luggage pieces, it didn't even weigh 19 pounds. When I saw that, I added in some of my books. My other luggage piece will have heavier items like shoes, toiletries, and some books, so hopefully it will be under the 50 lb limit as well.
Friday night I went to Barnes and Noble and decided to do some more reading up for Brazil. I found out that in addition to the samba schools and parade (I tried to get a ticket but wasn't successful), there are also bandas (which appear to be groups of people that dress up, sing, and dance) that also celebrate Carneval. From what I understand the bandas are free-roaming and will anyone join as long as you are wearing their colors. What's even better is that some of them sell t-shirts on the spot for $15 reales (about US$8) and you can join in with them in the revelry. This seems like a lot more fun for me as opposed to having to pay a few hundred dollars to simply watch the samba schools.
I am slowly having to start to say my farewells. In order to celebrate the 4 February birthdays in our family, (including mine) my dad is throwing a big party at a local restaurant. I'll get to see some extended family I haven't seen in a while, and it will be my last time seeing them before I leave. Tuesday night a friend and I are having dinner with some friends, and there I will get to say some more farewells. One farewell, however, that I will not miss: this damn cold weather and the snow.
Countdown to departure: 11 days
The day after my last post I got my currency to travel to Brazil and Chile. I was able to get Brazilian reales and Chilean pesos for the exact exchange rate at AAA, and I didn't have to pay any fees. It's interesting looking at the colors and figures featured on the currencies of different countries as well as the conversion rate. US $200 is the equivalent of about 88,000 Chilean pesos, for example.
I decided to stop just putting my things to pack into piles in the other room and to actually try packing it. I was dreading this since the weight restrictions have dropped from about 72 lbs per bag from my year in Germany ten years ago to 50 lbs per bag now, but it looks like I will actually be ok. After vacuum bagging a bunch of my clothes and packing some other stuff into one of my luggage pieces, it didn't even weigh 19 pounds. When I saw that, I added in some of my books. My other luggage piece will have heavier items like shoes, toiletries, and some books, so hopefully it will be under the 50 lb limit as well.
Friday night I went to Barnes and Noble and decided to do some more reading up for Brazil. I found out that in addition to the samba schools and parade (I tried to get a ticket but wasn't successful), there are also bandas (which appear to be groups of people that dress up, sing, and dance) that also celebrate Carneval. From what I understand the bandas are free-roaming and will anyone join as long as you are wearing their colors. What's even better is that some of them sell t-shirts on the spot for $15 reales (about US$8) and you can join in with them in the revelry. This seems like a lot more fun for me as opposed to having to pay a few hundred dollars to simply watch the samba schools.
I am slowly having to start to say my farewells. In order to celebrate the 4 February birthdays in our family, (including mine) my dad is throwing a big party at a local restaurant. I'll get to see some extended family I haven't seen in a while, and it will be my last time seeing them before I leave. Tuesday night a friend and I are having dinner with some friends, and there I will get to say some more farewells. One farewell, however, that I will not miss: this damn cold weather and the snow.
Countdown to departure: 11 days
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Getting ready for Brazilian taxis and Hang-gliding and my hostel in Chile
My last posts have been very text heavy, so I'm trying to add in some pictures and links for this post. Unfortunately adding in pics from the web isn't working with me right now, so you'll just have to see the pics at the links I provide.
After realizing that I only booked my hostel in Rio until the morning of February 17th and that I am leaving for Santiago on the 18th, I was luckily able to go online and just book a room at the same hostel for an additional night.
I then realized that I don't have any arranged transportation from the airport to the hostel. I did some online research about this.
The first site I came to was this one: http://www.rioairporttransfer.com/
It looks like a nice site and great service, but they wanted 94 bucks for a round trip taxi. It seemed a bit expensive, so I dug a bit further and came across this site:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janeiro/Rio_de_Janeiro-1504237/Transportation-Rio_de_Janeiro-Get_a_Taxi-BR-1.html
This has traveler suggestions and posts about their experiences. From this I was able to figure out that I should pay somewhere between 40 and 80 reales (about 22 and 45 dollars) for a taxi. I also found out that apparently red lights are ignored at night, not only by taxi drivers but also by the police. Sounds like an adventure.
After all that I was able to book a taxi to pick me up from the airport through my hostel. The hostel has a good reputation, and it will cost me 65 reales. This sounds more reasonable, and hopefully I will be able to get the same rate on my taxi ride back to the aiport.
After reading about it in my travel guide, I looked up a website about hang gliding in Rio.
So this will be me in a few weeks: www.justfly.com/br
I am a true adventure seeker, and this will be an awesome experience.
Last but not least, I found out where I will be spending my first month in Santiago! I will be staying at the Hostal Providencia. The accomodations seem very nice for a hostel, and their website is very impressive:
http://www.hostalprovidencia.com/
The last details of my trip include adding my brother to my bank account, getting Brazilan reales and Chilean pesos, cancelling my car insurance and cell phone, and oh yeah, packing.
Countdown to departure: 15 days
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Brazilian Visa Success and Shopping
So yesterday I made the journey up to New York to pick up my Brazilian visa. I could only pick it up between 2:30 and 4:00, but I headed up early to be on the safe side.
I have never really been up to New York before a month or so ago. It's interesting walking through the streets, seeing the people, and all of the sights and sounds around me. I stopped for lunch at a place called Corner Cafe, which had some really delicious pasta. Afterwards I realized I walked ten blocks in the wrong direction, which gave me some good exercise and lifted weight from my conscience for not eating as healthy as I could have.
I arrived at the Brazilian Consulate around 2:00 anticipating a long wait in line. I was right, but they ended up going through the line and giving everyone picking up a visa a number and we were able to go inside and sit down. Nothing was happening at the windows, and it seems like they simply did not serve anyone until 2:30. I brought a book to pass the time, and glanced at my watch. 2:32, and no sign of movement from the employees there. 2:33, 2:34, 2:35, nothing.
Finally at 2:41 the signs lit up, and they took their postions at the windows. A woman carried out two huge tubs filled with passports, and the first person went up. She handed him his passport, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was the next person. (The ticket I was given V717 made me realize how many people come through there on a daily basis)
I went up to the window, and the woman located my passport quickly and passed it under the window to me. I checked to be sure my visa was inside, and it was. My face glowed as I told the woman "Thank you!" as a wave of relief came over me. As I walked away, then I remembered the phrase in Portuguese "Muito obrigado".
I took a picture of me holding my visa and put it on Facebook. I called my dad to tell him the good news. I called up my program and they were ecstatic. I was just feeling awesome.
Today I did some obligatory shopping for the trip. Since I've been losing weight (20 pounds since November so far) my pants have been getting loose, so I got some new pants at Sears. I also got a Dreamie (a soft sleeping bag type thing) as well as space saver bags that I can use with a vacuum cleaner to save space in my luggage.
I've started packing a bit, and it doesn't look like it will be as bad this time around. When I was going to Germany I had to leave a good amount of space for gifts for my host families, but this time around I only need gifts for the program directors and maybe a few teachers at the school. I have a better idea of what and how much clothing I'll need and what things I'll want to bring with me.
Countdown to departure: 28 days
I have never really been up to New York before a month or so ago. It's interesting walking through the streets, seeing the people, and all of the sights and sounds around me. I stopped for lunch at a place called Corner Cafe, which had some really delicious pasta. Afterwards I realized I walked ten blocks in the wrong direction, which gave me some good exercise and lifted weight from my conscience for not eating as healthy as I could have.
I arrived at the Brazilian Consulate around 2:00 anticipating a long wait in line. I was right, but they ended up going through the line and giving everyone picking up a visa a number and we were able to go inside and sit down. Nothing was happening at the windows, and it seems like they simply did not serve anyone until 2:30. I brought a book to pass the time, and glanced at my watch. 2:32, and no sign of movement from the employees there. 2:33, 2:34, 2:35, nothing.
Finally at 2:41 the signs lit up, and they took their postions at the windows. A woman carried out two huge tubs filled with passports, and the first person went up. She handed him his passport, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was the next person. (The ticket I was given V717 made me realize how many people come through there on a daily basis)
I went up to the window, and the woman located my passport quickly and passed it under the window to me. I checked to be sure my visa was inside, and it was. My face glowed as I told the woman "Thank you!" as a wave of relief came over me. As I walked away, then I remembered the phrase in Portuguese "Muito obrigado".
I took a picture of me holding my visa and put it on Facebook. I called my dad to tell him the good news. I called up my program and they were ecstatic. I was just feeling awesome.
Today I did some obligatory shopping for the trip. Since I've been losing weight (20 pounds since November so far) my pants have been getting loose, so I got some new pants at Sears. I also got a Dreamie (a soft sleeping bag type thing) as well as space saver bags that I can use with a vacuum cleaner to save space in my luggage.
I've started packing a bit, and it doesn't look like it will be as bad this time around. When I was going to Germany I had to leave a good amount of space for gifts for my host families, but this time around I only need gifts for the program directors and maybe a few teachers at the school. I have a better idea of what and how much clothing I'll need and what things I'll want to bring with me.
Countdown to departure: 28 days
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