Blogs from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America

Day One: We play lots of games that involve people getting to know each other and start everyone talking about issues inside the favela. (for you drama guys- we did a check-in with images, played sun shines on, agree/disagree/not sure, made a group contract and creating images based on the word community.) We only have four participants. But they are amazing and full of energy and ideas about what the radio play should be about. We have Josias- (40s?) amazing guy and ex-leader for the community, he has been to some amazing places and done some amazing things, mostly based on his playing basketball in the paralympics. He has to use crutches to walk and talks with passion in his eyes about the place where he lives and sadness when we discuss more negative issues about ... read more

1) Marmite (to keep the mosquitos away) 2) My mosquito machine (to keep the mosquitos away) 3) An umbrella (for those pesky downpours) 4) Brown hair dye (although my hair would probably still be going white anyways) 5) An eyebrow pencil (i am losing my eyebrows to the sun) 6) Fake tan (i get stared at at the beach) 7) A bikini that is two sizes to small in the bottom section (seriously- they wear them like thongs here) 8) More than two pairs of flip flops 9) Short shorts (My long shorts and linen trousers just aren't cutting it) 10) A hand held fan (although making me stand out at a gringo at this point my hair does that anyways!) 11) A surf board! (totally gunna have lessons next week dude!)... read more

It sits on top of the hill like an old fort with cement walls. I'm not sure if this wall is to keep people out or to keep people in. There aren't many roads into the favela, only two that i've seen and a small stairway. Plus if you blink you might miss them as they curve up sharply so you can actually only see the first two buildings inside them. As i walk up the steep incline i think two things- firstly why the hell am i going somewhere that people obviously don't want me to go and secondly everyone who lives here must be soooo fit! Both of my assumptions about Morro do Estado are incorrect. We are going to visit the Radio station we will be working with, which sits on the highest ... read more

Went on an amazing walk up past Corcovado (where Cristo Redentor sits watching the city), which meant that we had a view of what some may say is Jesus's best asset! Had the best shower ever that sprang out of the side of the hill, nearly lost my bikini bottoms, whilst getting the full massage effect of the water. Eeek! Then headed to praia de Ipanema for lunch, ice cream and a nap on the beach-whilst slyly watching the yummy guys playing volleyball. mmm mmm mmm. Have discovered that getting mango ice cream is the best option because it means i don't have to share with Virginia, as she doesn't like Mango. hehe! After showering and making ourselves look beautiful i receive a little talk from Virginia's firend about favellas. He is really worried about me ... read more

So... its starting to sink in that i´m actually on my way to Rio, sorry i mean Niteroi. I am sat here trying to avoid eye contact with a strange man who keeps asking me to translate what the board is saying, even though it flashes in English every 30 seconds. Still at least here my French language skills are put to use, because i actually will not be able to communicate once i arrive in Brazil. Unless there are small children or dogs. On the plane i am sat in E56 the last but one row from the back in the tail section. Behind me is the in-flight security man, I feel safe that he is there and imagine him as a Sayid in Lost type character who would look after me if we end ... read more

Wednesday 23rd April Another public holiday, another bit of a lie-in. Before too long we're headed into Niteroi where I get a few photos of the view across to Rio, see the island of the Monks, Niemeyer's 'spaceship', before we head round to the fort. Given a really interesting tour of the fort (yes, it's in Portuguese, but Gaynor translates), given lots of stories about events of the past. It's still an active fort so some areas are out of bounds. We head to Bob's Burgers for lunch (bit of a Brazilian institution, and means still haven't had a McDonald's for about 4-5 years!)... Go for the healthy option (chicken on wholemeal). After lunch head back to the house and spend some time on the internet which seems to be working for now, then read book ... read more

From the bus station by taxi to the Icarai Hotel in Niteroi, across the bay over the 13km bridge, the cost was R$55. I enjoyed myself at the hotel. The restaurant food was good. The breakfast was tasty. The coffee was OK until milk was put into it. Bus number 33 to the ferry stopped at the corner. Bus costs R$1.90 and can be paid in cash. The ferry cost R$2.40 per ride. In the Metro one ride was also over R$2.00. The Metro was a bit of a disappointment ... it was a far walk to find one and a far walk to get somewhere when leaving the station. Connecting with the bus routes is an important and necessary piece of information. The travelling back and forth was easy. What made it difficult was ... read more