Blogs from Brazil, South America

Hat jetzt doch ein wenig gedauert, bis ich mich wieder hier zurück gemeldet habe. Zur Info: Mir geht’s gut:-) Die letzte Woche war mit Abstand die beste Woche und es wird mir schwer fallen einige Menschen hier zurück zu lassen. Die Woche vom 21.5.-25.5. haben wir Paulo begleitet (in seinem Projekt beschäftigt er sich mit Mäusen). Innerhalb eines Jahres werden je eine Woche lang Fallen aufgestellt und die Mäuse, die dabei gefangen werden anhand ihrer Schädelform bestimmt. Die Fallen wurden in 6 unterschiedlichen Waldgebieten ausgelegt. Jeden Vormittag fuhren wird die Strecke ab und kontrollierten die Fallen, füllten Futter nach und sammelten die Mäuse, die sich in den Fallen befanden ein. Nachmittags wurden die Mäuse dann seziert und endhauptet. Der Kopf wird dann nach Porto Alegre in ein Institut geschickt und dort so präpariert, dass der Schädel ... read more

Think Rio, and often people will think Carnival. It is after all probably the most famous celebration of Shrove Tuesday anywhere in the world. We picture Carnival running for one or maybe a few days and if you have seen pictures of the floats and dancers you will maybe have an inkling of the work involved behind the scenes, but it is probably no more than that, just an inkling. Here in Rio de Janeiro the Carnival is such a big deal that a huge building has now been created to give the artists a place to create the costumes and floats and to give the organisers offices in which to plan the event. The Sambódromo comprises of the building itself as well as permanent seating, a parade area and a stage where the Judges can ... read more

This evening I was feeling even braver than normal and I did something that I didn´t think I would be able to do. No, it wasn´t anything stupidly dramatic like sky diving or hang gliding or any other crazy life endangering adrenaline thrill, but seriously it was a big challenge for me. I went up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in the cable car. Now this is a big deal for me, and I can´t deny how nervous I was but with the help of some new friends I went for it and how glad I am that I did. I say ´friends´ but the Guide felt she could reassure me by telling me that nothing had gone wrong with the cars for at least a few years..and that even when it did break last ... read more

My days in Foz do Iguaçu are almost at an end, the day after tomorrow I will heading to Rio de Janeiro to spend a few days taking in the main sights before the long flight back to Europe and then onwards to home. It is a strange feeling to leave a place that has become your home. After three months here I have become used to living out of my backpack, to seeing the friendly faces of the staff each day and to watching television with an intense look of concentration (and often confusion) on my face. But each stage has to come to an end in order to let the next one begin so I will pack my bags tomorrow a little tearful but also full of excitement as I anticipate the sights of ... read more