Wednesday, I went shopping in the morning and didn't really come across any good tacky souvenirs, but I did come across some nice crafts. After that, I went up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain to have a picnic as the sun set. That was a lovely experience because I got to ride in the suspended cable car four times!
After that, I went to a soccer match at the local stadium, which is supposedly the largest in South America. To tell the truth, the game sucked because no one scored, and the one team was just not that great.
Even though the playing of the game left much to be desired, I did enjoy watching the people, especially the ones that thought fire was a good plan.
Aside from watching people, I ate. Unfortunately, the food was a bit on the disappointing side. I just had popcorn and a popsicle. Don't get me wrong, they were good, but I just hoped I could try something new.
Today, I went to see Jesus on his perch high above Rio (Corcovado). On the way up the hill, I got to ride in another fun vehicle, a sort of train. While on it, a samba band boarded and played for us.
I then found myself at the base of a huge statue of Jesus. I wish I would have counted all of the people that had their hands spread like the statue and were having their photographs taken in front of it.
After Corcovado, I went on a tour of the Rocinha favela just outside of Rio de Janeiro. The first stop was a samba school right outside of the favela. I'm a bit confused by how the people that live in the favelas don't have to pay taxes, but have samba schools that compete in Carnival with elaborate, expensive floats and costumes...and have cable and internet...
Anyway...
A picture will be added soon. I'm having trouble with the upload.
There were streets where I could take pictures and streets where I could not. I also had to be aware of the fact that there were people just carrying guns around with them. I was told that I shouldn't be alarmed because they won't hurt tourists because they don't want cops in their neighborhood. I was taken up and down winding roads. I met some prominent citizens that do things like after-school art classes to try to keep the young kids out of gangs. It was an extremely interesting experience that will be hard to forget.
The next day, my final day in Rio, I went on a tour of two of the observatories of Rio. They had small, but important telescopes, as well as some extremely rare scientific instruments. I was quite pleased as I enjoy looking at old science things.
Later that night, I flew away from Rio. I got home yesterday and am leaving tonight for Switzerland and Germany. I'm excited, but tired.
After Corcovado, I went on a tour of the Rocinha favela just outside of Rio de Janeiro. The first stop was a samba school right outside of the favela. I'm a bit confused by how the people that live in the favelas don't have to pay taxes, but have samba schools that compete in Carnival with elaborate, expensive floats and costumes...and have cable and internet...
Anyway...
A picture will be added soon. I'm having trouble with the upload.
There were streets where I could take pictures and streets where I could not. I also had to be aware of the fact that there were people just carrying guns around with them. I was told that I shouldn't be alarmed because they won't hurt tourists because they don't want cops in their neighborhood. I was taken up and down winding roads. I met some prominent citizens that do things like after-school art classes to try to keep the young kids out of gangs. It was an extremely interesting experience that will be hard to forget.
The next day, my final day in Rio, I went on a tour of two of the observatories of Rio. They had small, but important telescopes, as well as some extremely rare scientific instruments. I was quite pleased as I enjoy looking at old science things.
Later that night, I flew away from Rio. I got home yesterday and am leaving tonight for Switzerland and Germany. I'm excited, but tired.
1 comment:
burn, baby, burn!
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