We left on Tuesday morning and took a bus to Ezezia Int’l
Airport. We got into Sao Paulo, Brazil that evening and went to the biggest
mall in South America to wait for the second group. After meeting up with them
we drove seven hours through the night to Angra Dos Reis. Angra Dos Reis is a
small city that is on the coast of Brazil and is made up of 365 islands! I was
absolutely shocked by how nice our hotel was! Usually when you go on trips like
these we rough it in hostels, but this hotel was right on the water, spacious,
and had a pool (AND a hammock outside each room).
Everyone at the airport in Sao Paolo
View from the hotel
The first two days we rented a private boat and toured the
different islands and absolutely stunning beaches. We had breakfast on the
boat, asado for lunch (delicious choripan, which is chorizo (sausage) on
bread), and lots and lots of caipirinas! The second day we stopped on an island
and hiked about 30 minutes to find a hidden beach that was amazing!
Breathtaking views
Friends on the boat
Hidden beach
Early Friday morning we packed up and headed to Rio de
Janeiro. The bus ride was only about three hours and we went straight to see
the Cristo Redentor. Unfortunately there was a ginormous cloud on it so we
couldn’t see anything. We ended up coming back three more times during the
weekend before it was clear enough to see.
Cristo: Take 1
Cristo: Take 2
We stayed right across the street from Copacabana while in
Rio. It was quite the view! While the hotel wasn’t as nice, it was worth it to
be so close to the beach. While in Rio we did a lot of sightseeing: we got to
see the future World Cup stadium, the Carnaval grounds, the Favela, and Pan de
Azucar. The Favela is a ghetto in Rio and is absolutely fascinating. It’s
located on a hill on the edge of Rio and all of the houses are painted bright
colors. Pan de Azucar is a mountain that has amazing views of the entire city.
We went during the night and I was blown away at how beautiful Rio is!
View from hotel in Rio
Favela
View from Pan de Azucar
We also got to go out a few nights in Rio. We went to an
area in town called the Lapa. It is a bunch of streets that are filled with
vendors selling Caipirinas and delicious Brazilian food, live bands, and
thousands of people dancing. It was quite the scene and really enjoyable!
Unfortunately it was really overcast the whole time we were in Rio, so we
didn’t get to spend too much time on the beach. I made sure to get my feet in
the water once though!
Friends at Lapa
Missing all of my beautiful Chi Omegas!
Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without fantastically
delicious food. Each night we went to either a buffet or an all-you-can-eat
restaurant. Although it’s not necessarily a cultural norm, it was a great way
to get to try everything while we were in Brazil. And I mean everything.
There’s a good chance I ate my entire body weight… every night. The food was
amazing though! We went to an all-you-can-eat pizza restaurant where the
waiters bring around every imaginable kind of pizza and you just ask for slice
after slice… after slice. They also had dessert pizzas like white chocolate
with strawberries! Omnomnom!
We headed back on Monday and spent the whole day travelling
(seven hour drive from Rio to Sao Paolo, three hours in the airport, two hour
plane ride, and an hour drive home)! It was a long day and I was wiped out! I
can honestly say this was the best trip I’ve been on so far. It was beautiful
and such a blast. And best of all, we made a lot of great friends! I even picked
up on some Portuguese! Abrigada means thank you… that’s about the extent of
what I picked up though… J
I love you all! Can’t wait to see you in two short months!
LIXO, Dutson
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