Na luz do seu olhar, a paz que sonhei

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Hi all,
This will be my second to last blog about South America (for this trip at least). As usual, I got busy with exams and papers, so I’m writing it about a week and half after we actually got back from Brazil, but better late than never, right?

So Brazil is one of the most amazing places I’ve visited—not just on this trip, but ever. I only have one complaint: they don’t speak Spanish. Were it not for that minor detail, I would probably want to move there...at least for a few years. But maybe I can still do it if I learn Portuguese. Being there for a week was actually a little like my first week in Chile, since they don’t speak Spanish as much as Chileno here. In both countries, they could understand me when I spoke Spanish, but I had practically no idea what their responses meant unless they were numbers or elaborated by signs. Notwithstanding, the people were very outgoing and helpful, and in most cases, willing to share their culture.

One other fact should probably be mentioned about Brazil: the beaches are amazing. The sand is fine and soft, and they have a mix of both rugged, rocky beaches and several mile-long stretches of clean, white sand. It was hard to tear ourselves away from this temptation for the other activities on the trip.

My last blog from Chile will be about my trip with Carley to the south. We’re leaving tomorrow, and I’ll probably write about it when I’m back in the states. I don’t want to spoil too many surprises, but expect penguin and glacier pictures!

Meg

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Photos

Thanksgiving Hummus
We left for Brazil the day after Thanksgiving, so I thought it only appropriate to include a photo of the traditional Thanksgiving hummus

Cristo Redentor
Voted one of the new wonders of the world...it's impressive, but it makes you think about how many Brazilians there really are with internet access

View from Corcovado
Fer, Julie, Bec, and me looking out from above the city

Gnomes at the Cidade do Samba
Samba schools work year round to prepare for carnival. We just make silly faces.

Carnival Costumes
We couldn't take pictures of the floats they were working on, so we had to make do with these awesome costumes...

Copacabana
Dancing on the beach

Fruit market
Now imagine about 8 more rows of stands like this with fruits you've not only never seen, but never even heard of!

Mangueira Social Project
An educational project just outside the Mangueira favela in Rio

Ridiculously awesome hotel
Our pool in Brasilia...it could also be mentioned that we stayed at the sister (slightly less exclusive) hotel to the one Bush stayed in in Brasilia

Cathedral in Brasilia
The cathedral is underground, but full of light, since the entire ceiling is stained glass

Houses of Congress, Brasilia
Much more impressive than our Capitol

Brasilia City Plan
Seriously. An architecturally amazing, if somewhat artificial city

Dom Bosco Church, Brasilia
Could be the prettiest church I've ever been inside

Photo Op Bahia
We're really Brasileiros now

Window of the Afro-Brazilian Restaurant
Also the site of Becca's flavor-induced heart attack

Coco-telefoneando
Anna needed to make an important call...as soon as she realized how exciting the phone booths were

House of Candomble
Pictured: Orixa (spirit) of Fertility