ONLY constructive criticism is welcome!! :-P
Thank you!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Nooks And Crannies of Rio de Janeiro
After a year, I am ready to depart from this amazing city.
I'm extremely happy with all the opportunities I got and all the things I've done.
Here's a map (from facebook tagging), which shows where I've been.
I have explored some of the nooks and crannies of this city... which seemed gigantic at a first, and now I can navigate with ease.
The concentration is usually around Lapa/Centro because that's where I live.
Then it's in Ipanema, my favourite beach.
I took some time to go to Niteroi too: to eat fish at the market (not so impressive!), to look at the Oscar Niemeyer's museum (the outside, because the museum's expo is quite weak!) and to see Rio from Niteroi.
I decided to make a brief list (in no particular order) of my favourite Rio de Janeiro places in the past year:
Hanging out places:
Ipanema beach; especially on Sundays.
Escadaria Selaron, Friday nights.
Pedra do Sal, Monday nights.
Extreme corner of Leme or Leblon, away from wandering vendors.
Urca & Arpoador for sunsets.
Lage Park, for relaxing.
Lagoa Rodrigo Freitas, for anything, except eating...
Largo do Machado, great for people watching!
In Lapa:
Bar da Cachaca, Vaca Atolada, Bonde do Sucos, Bar da Garrafa.
In Botafogo:
Comuna.
Beside the metro; the R$5 soup place (Soupas Dois Irmaos). Great for people watching!
Copacabana:
Pavao Azul, pastel is R$2.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Strange Calmness
Today the buses in Rio de Janeiro went on strike. This is HUGE because there is no other way of getting around. Luckily the only bus that ran, did the route that I take to go to work. On the way into work, there was so many people packed into that bus I was getting some anxiety, because alot of shit could've gone wrong! Especially since I've already been in a bus that caught on fire (whilst I was luckily in the back and got out on time!)
On the way back, the bus I took had broken windows and glass all over the floor on the inside and on the seats. I calmly took a seat and took it all in as I realized how normal this was and accepting that this is Rio de Janeiro. The good with the bad, I am here.
The windows got broken because people are frustrated. And we know that frustrated brazilians don't know how to direct their anger properly. (My friend Doug once addressed this topic.) This is why protesting solves nothing... meanwhile, people who are angry throw rocks at bus windows hitting innocent people.
On the way back, the bus I took had broken windows and glass all over the floor on the inside and on the seats. I calmly took a seat and took it all in as I realized how normal this was and accepting that this is Rio de Janeiro. The good with the bad, I am here.
The windows got broken because people are frustrated. And we know that frustrated brazilians don't know how to direct their anger properly. (My friend Doug once addressed this topic.) This is why protesting solves nothing... meanwhile, people who are angry throw rocks at bus windows hitting innocent people.
Things That Don't Work
You know how you get used to basic things... well when you move to Brazil, basic things just don't work... let me list a couple.
- Phones - Whether it's Cellphone or Landlines... they just don't work. You either have to dial a billion numbers and it's expensive to use, and most of the time your call disconnects or there isin't coverage. It's 2014, communication through satellites shouldn't be a challenge for Brazil.
- Mail - Yes, the transportation of letters/parcels. We've been transporting messages and goods since pre-historical times. We used to use pigeons, for crying out loud! Well, in Brazil, the common use of MAIL is impossible, because it just doesn't work! There are numerous packages that haven't reached me. Here's an example: the phone I ordered has been stuck in the same place since the 2nd of February. (Yes- I do feel like hitting my head against the wall.)
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Passion Wasn't Enough - EX#1
Last night we tried going to a digital dubs event in Vidigal, that is known for a great vibe and awesome panoramic view of Leblon & Ipanema.
Vidigal is located west of Leblon, it lies on really steep hill.
When we got there they told us that the party wasn't going to happen, then turned out starting too late and we thought it was no longer worth it pretty much left.
On the way up that intense hill, we met a friend of a friend, who had 2 other friends. When then stopped to get some beers and chat. I met this American guy. We began talking about this and than and the other... and eventually ended up on the topic of "what do you do". Now he does real estate, but his dream (desire/passion/interest) was to serve his country- he applied to the US Army for FOUR years and didn't get in!!
(Yes, this post is going beyond the fact that I dislike the army. The brainwashing is beyond me! Especially in the idea of "defending freedom"!)
This guy wasn't out of shape. He didn't have a visible handicap. He genuinely wanted to be involved with the army and defend his country's "idea of freedom", yada yada. He spoke about it with such passion and while explaining why he got rejected from it for FOUR years, you could see the tears surfacing. He wrote to senators, to governors. He went through different recruiters. He did ALL HE COULD.
So yeh, it really moved me that this guy who REALLY wanted to do something that isn't uncommon like being a #1 Olympic diver or competitive swimmer, couldn't! There are millions of army jobs!
He sure didn't lack passion. Skills he'd acquire through training.
It was timing- the world and it's situations that kept him from being a qualified candidate to join. The USA wasn't looking for any more troops in 2009. They could pick and choose their next 'freedom defending victim' and he couldn't be one of them, despite his honest desire/passion/interest.
Vidigal is located west of Leblon, it lies on really steep hill.
When we got there they told us that the party wasn't going to happen, then turned out starting too late and we thought it was no longer worth it pretty much left.
On the way up that intense hill, we met a friend of a friend, who had 2 other friends. When then stopped to get some beers and chat. I met this American guy. We began talking about this and than and the other... and eventually ended up on the topic of "what do you do". Now he does real estate, but his dream (desire/passion/interest) was to serve his country- he applied to the US Army for FOUR years and didn't get in!!
(Yes, this post is going beyond the fact that I dislike the army. The brainwashing is beyond me! Especially in the idea of "defending freedom"!)
This guy wasn't out of shape. He didn't have a visible handicap. He genuinely wanted to be involved with the army and defend his country's "idea of freedom", yada yada. He spoke about it with such passion and while explaining why he got rejected from it for FOUR years, you could see the tears surfacing. He wrote to senators, to governors. He went through different recruiters. He did ALL HE COULD.
So yeh, it really moved me that this guy who REALLY wanted to do something that isn't uncommon like being a #1 Olympic diver or competitive swimmer, couldn't! There are millions of army jobs!
He sure didn't lack passion. Skills he'd acquire through training.
It was timing- the world and it's situations that kept him from being a qualified candidate to join. The USA wasn't looking for any more troops in 2009. They could pick and choose their next 'freedom defending victim' and he couldn't be one of them, despite his honest desire/passion/interest.
The Recurring Debate
As I prepare to make my next move (in life!), there is a recurring thought that is resurfacing like oil in water.
The debate is between the importance of SKILL and PASSION.
I'm reading books on it. I am discussing it.
I accept that it has to be a balance between both, but because I can't figure out my own balance, I don't feel comfortable enough making a choice... in what to do.
This diagram depicts my issue in clarity.
My indecision lies in nothing overlapping.
Sometimes we tend to believe that one HAS to be passionate about their work and the skill will just emerge from it.
Sometimes we tend to believe that passion derives from being really well skilled.
When I sit here believing I haven't got either, it's a decision that's filled with anxiety.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
The Catch-Up Post
Carnaval came and went. It was awesome. It was what I expected it to be. Crazy musical fun of epic proportions. Just collective non-sense and alot of drinking. I wish I had written more about it then, because now the details are missing.
In comparison to Rio de Janeiro, it was a breeze to get around (except the Metro - Subte, that made NO sense), it was clean and I felt very safe!
The food: WOW, that juicy meat bro!! Chimichurri. Roquefort Empanadas... DAMN! Media-Luna Croissants!! ALFAJOR!! MMMMMmmmm!!
And... the affordable wine!!
As you can see, I kind of fell inlove with Argentina. Just by seeing BA, I kinda began to realize that Argentina has SO much to offer and for some reason it went under my radar. It has fun from desert to beach, to glaciers, to Iguacu Falls. I think more people should go there.
Coming back 'home' to Rio de Janeiro was a bit of a slight joke on arrival. It was 1AM and I had picked up my backpack and was exiting the airport to get a cab.There was a 400 person line up and no taxis! This was at Galeao International Airport, 3 months before the world arrives here for the Fifa World Cup. It dawned once again on me- some things in Brazil just DON'T work, it'll be so embarrassing!!
I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
You can say it was a "last minute decision" to buy the airplane ticket, but I did do my research. A few days before my flight, I read everything I could about it. I googled it. I studied maps. I decided to divide Buenos Aires in two, so travel time wouldn't be the focus of my day.In comparison to Rio de Janeiro, it was a breeze to get around (except the Metro - Subte, that made NO sense), it was clean and I felt very safe!
The food: WOW, that juicy meat bro!! Chimichurri. Roquefort Empanadas... DAMN! Media-Luna Croissants!! ALFAJOR!! MMMMMmmmm!!
And... the affordable wine!!
As you can see, I kind of fell inlove with Argentina. Just by seeing BA, I kinda began to realize that Argentina has SO much to offer and for some reason it went under my radar. It has fun from desert to beach, to glaciers, to Iguacu Falls. I think more people should go there.
Coming back 'home' to Rio de Janeiro was a bit of a slight joke on arrival. It was 1AM and I had picked up my backpack and was exiting the airport to get a cab.There was a 400 person line up and no taxis! This was at Galeao International Airport, 3 months before the world arrives here for the Fifa World Cup. It dawned once again on me- some things in Brazil just DON'T work, it'll be so embarrassing!!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Carnaval and... I know it's luck!
On Sunday (my only regular day off), I began my CARNAVAL festivities...
I went to my first bloco.
It was awesome, because people were dressed up everywhere... it was also a panic attack waiting to happen, because there was just soooo many people, wow!
It was blistering hot. I stayed for about an hour, that's all I could take before I started to panic.
Then I went home, my roomie came by, took a shower and invited me to go to another bloco... this one was even bigger. At this piont I understood and knew what I was getting into, so it wasn't as bad. It was also at the end of the afternoon, so there was shade.
After that bloco, we went back home to rest and get ready to go to Sapucai... yes, the SAMBADROME... the place that hosts Samba Schools... the ONE place north america gets 15 seconds of tv time, when people mention that Carnaval began.. yes, I was there... it is HUGE. It's also a place designed by Oscar Neymier ...(ballllller).
We saw a school from Vila Isabel.
They were outstanding... (maybe cuz it was the first and only school I saw in the sambadrome). We went with Day who had been there before, so we sat infront of the judge panel, she knew that the schools would stall there, like they would in the parade. The drumming was so loud and refined it pretty much rocked my soul! It was an amazing experience... I kept it together as a young woman with kids beside me spat multipletimes, folded paper airplanes out of brochure and gave it to her kids to throw.
It was also the night my left foot began to hurt... yeh, from standing all day... great!
The next day I woke up and my ankle was the size of a watermellon... I still went to the garden.. then it only got worse!
I began icing it, and elevating it for circulation.... today it was better, till I got to work.
I did what I needed to do, then got some ice, wrapped it in a towel and sat at the desk.
Then two french women come in and we talk (they are room 7). They see my foot and ask if they can take a look: they are postual podiatrist!! WHAT!!!! The woman massages my foot, flicks a few nerves... and I AM WALKING WITHOUT PAIN AGAIN... that means I am back in business and I will be enjoying carnaval... I am just so lucky. What were the odds. This, once again is one of those cool things about working at a hostel!
I went to my first bloco.
It was awesome, because people were dressed up everywhere... it was also a panic attack waiting to happen, because there was just soooo many people, wow!
It was blistering hot. I stayed for about an hour, that's all I could take before I started to panic.
Then I went home, my roomie came by, took a shower and invited me to go to another bloco... this one was even bigger. At this piont I understood and knew what I was getting into, so it wasn't as bad. It was also at the end of the afternoon, so there was shade.
After that bloco, we went back home to rest and get ready to go to Sapucai... yes, the SAMBADROME... the place that hosts Samba Schools... the ONE place north america gets 15 seconds of tv time, when people mention that Carnaval began.. yes, I was there... it is HUGE. It's also a place designed by Oscar Neymier ...(ballllller).
We saw a school from Vila Isabel.
They were outstanding... (maybe cuz it was the first and only school I saw in the sambadrome). We went with Day who had been there before, so we sat infront of the judge panel, she knew that the schools would stall there, like they would in the parade. The drumming was so loud and refined it pretty much rocked my soul! It was an amazing experience... I kept it together as a young woman with kids beside me spat multipletimes, folded paper airplanes out of brochure and gave it to her kids to throw.
It was also the night my left foot began to hurt... yeh, from standing all day... great!
The next day I woke up and my ankle was the size of a watermellon... I still went to the garden.. then it only got worse!
I began icing it, and elevating it for circulation.... today it was better, till I got to work.
I did what I needed to do, then got some ice, wrapped it in a towel and sat at the desk.
Then two french women come in and we talk (they are room 7). They see my foot and ask if they can take a look: they are postual podiatrist!! WHAT!!!! The woman massages my foot, flicks a few nerves... and I AM WALKING WITHOUT PAIN AGAIN... that means I am back in business and I will be enjoying carnaval... I am just so lucky. What were the odds. This, once again is one of those cool things about working at a hostel!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Pre-Carnaval WOW.
Okay. Blocos have begun and I have managed to miss alot of them. Mostly due to work.
So what happens...what are blocos? (please understand this description is before I've even been to one).
Blocos I've been told:
People who play music together. Dance together. And they ALL have tacky names. There are blocos dedicated to certain things: like being single, being too sexy, being gay, etc.
It's extremely awesome to ride the bus home and see people all over the city wearing color wigs, costumes, beads, carrying props... just anything... ANYTHING counts.
I went down the street at 7pm to get some potatoes and I see girls wearing crowns, fake jewelry, beads, boas... the more colos the better. Men wearing funky hats... ANYTHING. Carnaval might be the coolest thing I'll ever experience. Holy shit, these two weeks will be insane! I'M SO EXCITED!
Starting tomorrow, 10am. My first bloco. Fogo e Paixao.
Rio de Janeiro, I love you! I love you!
So what happens...what are blocos? (please understand this description is before I've even been to one).
Blocos I've been told:
People who play music together. Dance together. And they ALL have tacky names. There are blocos dedicated to certain things: like being single, being too sexy, being gay, etc.
It's extremely awesome to ride the bus home and see people all over the city wearing color wigs, costumes, beads, carrying props... just anything... ANYTHING counts.
I went down the street at 7pm to get some potatoes and I see girls wearing crowns, fake jewelry, beads, boas... the more colos the better. Men wearing funky hats... ANYTHING. Carnaval might be the coolest thing I'll ever experience. Holy shit, these two weeks will be insane! I'M SO EXCITED!
Starting tomorrow, 10am. My first bloco. Fogo e Paixao.
Rio de Janeiro, I love you! I love you!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Beauty Salon in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro!
I've been living in Lapa for the past 5 months. Since I am living in a tropical country where I am wearing shorts and a bikini bottom often, waxing is undeniably necessary.
The BEST Beauty Salon in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, that has hair removal, manis, pedis, haircuts, etc... is
"NOVO ESTILO UNISSEX"
They are located on: Av. Gomes Freire (corner with Mem de Sa), #663, take the elevator to the second floor and it's room 202.
Their phone number is: (21) 2222-0977
They're only open Tuesday - Friday!
I know it doesn't look awesome, or very chic, cause it's not... but SANDRA is phenomenal. (She only speaks portuguese though!)
Why am I writing this post?
Because things happen where I couldn't go to Sandra, (weather and her vacation) and I went somewhere else... it was the WORSE experience ever.
I tried all the places on Riachuelo, and they all charge more and do a terrible job! They either leave hair (most common), wax wrong (don't hold the skin, just pull in any which way), pour HOT wax on ya, leave wax on you and just don't give a shit that you're in pain during the process!!
So incase you googled salon or salao de beleza or hair removal or waxing and LAPA, RJ, I hope you find this post and go there, it's the best advice I can give you!
The BEST Beauty Salon in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, that has hair removal, manis, pedis, haircuts, etc... is
"NOVO ESTILO UNISSEX"
They are located on: Av. Gomes Freire (corner with Mem de Sa), #663, take the elevator to the second floor and it's room 202.
Their phone number is: (21) 2222-0977
They're only open Tuesday - Friday!
I know it doesn't look awesome, or very chic, cause it's not... but SANDRA is phenomenal. (She only speaks portuguese though!)
Why am I writing this post?
Because things happen where I couldn't go to Sandra, (weather and her vacation) and I went somewhere else... it was the WORSE experience ever.
I tried all the places on Riachuelo, and they all charge more and do a terrible job! They either leave hair (most common), wax wrong (don't hold the skin, just pull in any which way), pour HOT wax on ya, leave wax on you and just don't give a shit that you're in pain during the process!!
So incase you googled salon or salao de beleza or hair removal or waxing and LAPA, RJ, I hope you find this post and go there, it's the best advice I can give you!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
DANGER - Not a cute centipede....
Okay, luckily I didn't have to learn this the hard way... this NASTY centipede
is poisonous! It can kill you...
Name: LACRAIA....
I've seen 3 of them!
It's like what scorpions are to Mexico...
They only die with chlorine... so tourists beware!
is poisonous! It can kill you...
Name: LACRAIA....
It's like what scorpions are to Mexico...
They only die with chlorine... so tourists beware!
Rio de Janeiro - Open! (Tennis Tournament)
Sometimes I'm really caught off guard by how active and exciting this city is.
Today whilst I was eating breakfast at work, this lady mentioned how she hopes it doesn't rain because she is going to the game.
Soccer game, I assumed... but no, she was going to a game at the RIO DE JANEIRO OPEN 2014. It's a South American Tennis Tournament!! Wow!!! She told me that yesterday she saw famous players and took pictures with them... then she started to name a few popular tennis players, including NADAL.
Yup, international sports event, happening about 50 metres from my job. In order to cooperate with my job, I took it upon myself to create an advertisement for the few beds we have vacant..
Hopefully I'll develop better methods of advertising soon! haha!!
Today whilst I was eating breakfast at work, this lady mentioned how she hopes it doesn't rain because she is going to the game.
Soccer game, I assumed... but no, she was going to a game at the RIO DE JANEIRO OPEN 2014. It's a South American Tennis Tournament!! Wow!!! She told me that yesterday she saw famous players and took pictures with them... then she started to name a few popular tennis players, including NADAL.
Yup, international sports event, happening about 50 metres from my job. In order to cooperate with my job, I took it upon myself to create an advertisement for the few beds we have vacant..
Hopefully I'll develop better methods of advertising soon! haha!!
Saturday, February 15, 2014
New Trend - Comparing Prices
It's very common for people in Rio to make price comparisons and talk about it. It comes up with everyone absolutely everywhere.
Whether it's the price of tomatoes, coconut water, carpets, clothes, or ice cream.
People in Rio are constantly baffled at the price difference between things!
They even made a Facebook page in order to bring attention to how crazy the differences are...
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