Getting settled

One week in Rio and I am starting to feel settled- I love it!

Looking for an apartment was harder than I expected... I guess I didn't quite take into account that it is the peak of summer and Carnaval is right around the corner so it is almost impossible to find a place. I was searching in newspapers and online rental ads for a place. Doing this forced me to learn many new works in Portuguese that I didn't know... haha I had to learn all the terms for renting, rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, monthly bills, total costs, shared spaces.... everything. Luckily my friend Gustavo helped to call many of the places ahead of time to explain my situation in Portuguese.

It was a challenge- some days I got really down asking myself what I was even doing here... especially after I went and visited one apartment. It was in an area that was hard to get to by public transportation and on the way I got a little lost. When I finally arrived I ended up in this run down part of town at a run down house. The maid opened the door to show me around the house. It was dirty, had broken windows, old pipes, next to no ventilation and the room she showed me was an addition to the house in which you had to climb a rusty staircase to enter. When she showed me the room I asked her if this was a safe place to live. She responded, “ Safe? Ha! I live in a favela and I would not even live here!” So that being said, I walked out of there.


My friend who used to live here gave me a contact of a guy who was opening up a language school for lower-income students in Rio. I contacted him and set up an interview for working together. We met and talked for a few hours- He is a really great guy. He introduced me to his mother who rents rooms in her house as part of a homestay option for foreigners. Because I will be working with her son, she gave me an extremely good deal on the room- it is way less than the crappy apartment I just wrote about and she cooks me breakfast everyday- and even gave me the first month free! The house is on the 15^th floor of a secure building 3 blocks from the ocean in one of the richest neighborhoods of Rio. It has large windows that are always open to let in the ocean air- unreal!

I will be helping her son open the language school- I am excited to see what I can bring to the school and the organization of the classes. He told me he would be able to get me a work visa- my current tourist visa only allows me to stay 6 months out of the year but the work visa could change that.... will I stay longer? Time will tell. I came here to feel things out and see what I can make of myself- it great opportunities decide to come my way, I will take them!


All my plans for Rio literally fell into place..... Nothing was for certain and I definitely went out on a limb to make this all work out. There were some really rough moments of doubting my decision to return to Brazil... but now things are starting to work out as I wanted them to play out. Anyone who knew all the details of this process know that I never gave up- I was overly stubborn to make this work and now that it is I am feeling so alive and good about life! Thank you to everyone who encouraged me and kept my spirits high during this process! I am glad things worked out the way they did because through the countless hours of research and headache I put into this, I learned alot about how NGOs function and work and how to set up independent projects outside of the country to hopefully use for myself one day.

Vamos!

Eu cheguei ao Rio!

I made it back to Rio!

I arrived yesterday morning and it was about 95 degrees at the airport- It is the middle of summer here south of the equator. My friend Gustavo picked me up from the airport and it was almost like I have never left Brazil. I remembered all the places I have already been to and how to navigate the city. It feels so good to be back here! 

I stopped by the language school I will be studying at for the next 3 months and was blown away- everyone was so nice and after I left I walked 2 and a half blocks and ended up on Ipanema Beach. I think I am going to like the next couple of months. A lot.

Now, I am looking for an apartment- and it is not all that easy. I was quickly reminded of my first week in Thailand and constantly being shut down to find a place. Something will work out soon.

I am happy to be back and practicing Portuguese again, although the way of speaking in Rio is way different than the Portuguese in Salvador. I am trying to learn the adjustment.

Class starts on Monday- I am excited to meet more people here and see what I just got myself into for the next few months.

Ate logo- I am off to a samba club in Lapa tonight with some people I just met on the beach. I love this place!

On my way back to Brasil

Yep, on my way back. I know I did not even post one blog the entire time I was in Brazil last time, but it was because for the first time ever I wanted to stop comparing and contrasting my culture to Brazil. I spent my time picking up Portuguese, meeting new people and learning to slow down after 2 crazy years at UC Berkeley where I was the king of multi-tasking.

When I got to Brazil in August I fell in love within the first week- the vibrancy of people's attitudes, music (or some kind of beat)  lingering from every corner, tropical plants and beautiful ocean... and the acai. The study abroad program I took part in helped me to learn the language by taking classes and staying with a host family where we sat and ate meals 3 times a day together trying to communicate with each other. The culture class I took allowed me to view Brazil from a completely different lens then the image I had romanticized in my mind. I began to view racism/sexism/class-ism through a whole new way. I loved the way brazil had a hold on me and I wasn't ready to let that grasp go just yet.  I put the my Peace Corps application on hold for a year and decided to set up an independent study abroad program in Rio de Janeiro.

I am on my way back, carrying a 10-year visa. I arrive in Rio tomorrow morning and start Portuguese class on Monday. I will be taking 3 months of classes at Casa do Caminho in Ipanema, 3 blocks from the beach! It took me a long time to set up this program and find a language school I felt like sponsoring, but Casa do Caminho, www.casadocaminho-languagecentre.org/, is an organization run by volunteers and all the money for the classes goes to support an orphanage outside of Rio. I tried to get an internship with them but they were full at this time. While I will study there I will be looking for another internship opportunities to take on for the next few months.


I am so excited to return to Rio. The first time I went there in October of last year my jaw literally dropped- it really is 'cidade maravilhousa' a marvelous city! I will be here for approximately 5 months... I am keeping that door open a little to see what kind of opportunities come my way. Until then I will be learning Portuguese, witnessing 'Carnaval' in a month, and exploring what the city has to offer.


Brasil, ate amanha!


Abracos!

Good places take time to get to...

Once again I am at the airport waiting... my flight from Medellin to Bogota was delayed which in turn made me miss my flight to Brazil. I was stuck in Bogota for the night and slapped with a hefty change flight fee (at least I was able to escape the change fee in Cleveland). I should be in Brazil tomorrow... hopefully. The scariest part of the situation was that I had to pay for my Brazil flight in cash... because my flight was delayed, that lead me to walk around Bogota with 2,500,000 Colombian Pesos. Yep. 2.5 million. Not the best place to have that much money on you. I was pretty much sweating all day thinking about it, even though it is much colder here as the elevation is greater than Medellin. Bogota ended up being an awesome city. Thankfully there was a guy who also missed the flight to Brazil who helped me figure out how to get around and figure out what to do about the ticket. We spent the day touring the city- I was glad I met him because he spoke English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I would not have been able to do it without him. Tomorrow I should arrive in Bahia, just in time for the program to start! Saturday I meet my host family- I am so excited.

The rest of my time in Colombia was amazing- Ursula taught me so much about horses and how to ride them- I got to see so much of Medellin, and even take a road trip through the country. It was such a great time. I am very happy for Ursula- she is moving on to start graduate school at Oxford!  I am honored to be her friend :)

Sometimes traveling can get you down because of all the complications, the lines you have to wait in, the problems that arise, the uncertainties of not knowing what is going on.... but I have learned one thing about myself, I don't give up. When you get to see and take part in such different activities you never have been exposed to before... all of the sudden all those complications vanish.

Made it to Colombia! Touchdown South America

Flying through the Andes to Medellin

I was so excited to land in Colombia... I couldn't believe I was on my way to South America, on the beginning of a four month adventure! The plane was flying through the Andes mountains as it landed and when I got off the plane the air was so fresh and crisp. It was amazing to reunite with Ursula and Anthony from Berkeley at the Airport in Medellin, Colombia. This city is know as the land of eternal spring- it is so green and lush here.

Eating sancocho with Ursula's Family

I never expected to visit Colombia, so I am so happy to have this opportunity to have such a good friend as my tour guide. The only things I have ever heard about Colombia before were about cocaine and violence, which yes there is some violence and drugs but not to the extent to label the country like that. There is violence everywhere- In the three 3 weeks I was in Cleveland I heard countless homicide reports on the local news, but I wouldn't label Cleveland as a whole a violent city. Anyway, her family and house is so welcoming and inviting- I'm so happy to be here right now, especially since I have not stopped eating since I have been here :) I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at Ursula's house- she has told me so much about it during all our study breaks and I have seen so many pictures but when I saw it with my own eyes I was blown away. Her house is in the middle of Medellin- a city of 4 million people- but at her house you feel like you are in the middle of the country! There are 7 dogs, 3 cats, some chickens, a pig and about 17 horses (and maybe some other anilmals I haven't found yet). I am in paradise right now. Today I woke up and got to wash the horses- it was so exciting- and tomorrow Ursula is giving me a riding lessons in the morning. Her aunt is a famous vaulting instructor (who will be at the international vaulting competition in September) and the Colombian government actually sends cavalry to come and train at their arena.
Her parents have been so hospitable. I wish I knew Spanish to let them know how happy I am to be here and how much I appreciate them letting me stay (Even though her mom speaks English and German in addition to Spanish). This morning they made Sancocho- a traditional Colombian dish of potatos,plantains, yuca, carrots, corn, avocados, chicken and beef that is stewed for hours... the whole morning the house was filled with the amazing aromas!  We ate so well and finished it off with Amaretto and Cointreau.

Medellin from the metrocable

Downtown

After the meal we set out to the city to ride the Metro- one of the most respected parts of the city. Since is was built 20 years ago, it has been maintained and never has graffiti. The metrocables was the craziest part of the day- the cable cars take you across the city up the steep mountainside passes some of the most dangerous parts of the city. The Metro round trip cost 1200 Colomian pesos ($1 = 1,800 Colombian Pesos) and that ticket takes you anywhere in the city, which makes it affordable for anyone to use it- unlike the BART in San Francisco that can cost an arm and a leg if you take it everyday. That public transportation made it extremely easier for members of the communities way up in the mountain side to have easier access to the city (a 20minute commute instead of 2+ hours by bus). Plus, it is the only city that uses this system as Public Transportation so far- how cool is that? Since the construction of the Metrocables there have also been many more schools that have opened and community projects that have commenced, in an area that has been know to have a high prevalence of gang violence. It was so interesting to learn what effects city planning can have on a community and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Tomorrow is my horseback riding lesson at 8am then after that we are off on a road trip to see other parts of the country. I am so excited to be on the first leg of my journey and with such great people. Life is good. Nos Vemos!

Medellin at sunset

Medellin at Night

Crazy plants in her garden

Ursula's cousin vaulting

My first night with Ursula, Anthony and her friends

The stables at night
More pictures can be viewed at

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=243147&id=661273687&l=424d720dc9

On the way out again

A little less than a month after returning from India I am heading out again for a new adventure: South America.  I will be studying Portuguese and learning how the Black Atlantic shaped this part of the world by dancing samba, playing capoiera and gaining an understanding of candomble. For the most part I will be in Bahia, Brazil for a study abroad program and living with a host family, but for now I am kicking off this trip with a visit to Medellin, Colombia to visit my friend Ursula who I studied (and was attached by the hip) with at UC Berkeley. She always invited me to see where she grew up but never thought I would have the opportunity... until now!

Leaving was a bit of a struggle... I had to deal with my passport getting stuck in San Francisco and going to the airport to make up some story to avoid a change flight fee. But, two days later I am in transit and sitting in Miami awaiting for my 4 month departure. I am so excited to see how this trip with change my character.... So far I have loved and felt extremely comfortable traveling through south and southeast Asia. Now is my chance to give South America a try. I've been dreaming of Brazil for so long now and ready to put my few reservations aside to experience life in a new way. I am looking forward to horseback riding in Colombia, celebrating my 25th birthday with friends in Rio, hiking to Macchu Picchu, and dancing salsa whenever I hear a beat.

Michael and Rebecca's Wedding

Boat trips on Lake Erie with my Family

Leaving Cleveland was harder than ever this time. I spent 3 amazing weeks enjoying the summertime at a slower pace than my usual trips home. I got to spend time with everyone individually, see my sister get happily married to a great guy, go on a crazy canoe trip with my dad, and become a local at a few spots in the city with some great friends. This trip made me feel more than ever that my life will turn out to be similar to the Alchemist- the more I see of the world, the more I will realize that what I have been searching for was right in front of me the whole time. That doesn't mean in anyway that I would exchange these experiences I have had so far... I still have some soul searching to do! The next 4 months are awaiting me right now. I am ready for this trip, although it is getting harder and harder to say goodbye to people, it is getting easier to prepare for an international adventure.

Enjoying summer with Gia

Leaving India

This is a 5 minute overview of just part of the work I did this summer...
  I've spent 6 out of the last 14 months in India. My 8 weeks Mumbai  for this trip has come to an end. I found it hard to post during this trip for a few reasons. One, because our group was working so hard everyday. Two, we balanced the hard work with a healthy dose of social life in the Bollywood world. Three, because things just became so normalized that I honestly forgot I wasn't Indian some days.

Our partner NGO, PSI

I'd wake up, walk down the street, dodge some traffic (be it people,cars, buses, or cows)   grab some chai for 4 rupees from my favorite chai stand while reading the Times of India and holding an umbrella to hide from the monsoon, eating a Samosa Pav in my other hand (yes, that adds up to four hands but if Vishnu can do it, so can I). I'd walk down J.B. Nager (the neighborhood I lived in for 2 years) and wave to all the shopkeepers and ask them how their day was going before jetting off in a rickshaw to the train station to attend meetings with lawyers, college professors, teachers, doctors, college students, and kids. Everyday was a good 12-14 hour day but never was I ready to call it an end before that.
I loved working with Haath Mein Sehat- through this group I have learned the skills I need for the future, especially in the Peace Corps next year. I can't say that this will be my last trip to India because I love this city, this country, and this culture too much to move on. Bombay has a place in my heart now, another place I will call home and have to make visits to in the future (especially since I have a 10 year visa!)

Working on a school installation at Muktangan

I feel so fortunate to have experienced what I have this summer with such an amazing group of dedicated and passionate activists that were my room mates... will I ever be so lucky to work with such a great crew of people? I hope so because the happiness I encountered this summer shouldn't be a once in a lifetime deal- but rather a lifestyle.
I am excited for the future of HMS to partner with Tata, Teach for India, new NGO's and for the work I poured my heart and soul into to be carried out in the future.Although I have left India, I have not left the project. I still have so many ideas and energies I want to put forth. I am proud of what I've done so far and really impressed with everyone's dedication to the project as well. 

Awesome street food at Juhu Beach

1st grader in the 3 week program

Ganesh Shrine at train station

Crawford Market

Behrampada

Bandra-Worli Sea Link

This is an end to India for now... but not goodbye. I will miss the constant warmth, the coziness of no personal space, the rich aromas, the meaningful life lessons, new perspectives of where I place my values, the constant new conversations with new friends on marine drive, the friendly head bobbles on the trains, the hard bargaining, the chaat....ughhh... everything! Now I will be enjoying time with my family in Cleveland before heading off to South America in 3 weeks for a brand new set of stories, people and places to call home.