Buzios Weekend

Megan, one of my student teaching friends, and I left for Buzios Friday after school. We were not able to catch the bus until 6:15 because there were many other travelers. About four hours later we reached our destination. At first we were a little worried because surrounding the rodoviaria was deserted. Luckily our hot bus buddy, Aaron (sp?) from Chile helped us out. He took a cab with us to find a pousada. Our new friend even ended up staying in the room next door. That night we quick showered and headed out on the beach town. We walked to the main street where there was lots of live music, people, and fun. We walked around for a bit to get a sense of the area and then found a quaint bar at which to have caipirina. After a few drinks Aaron and I walked Megan back to the posudad (she was feeling under the weather) and then the two of us headed out for a night of dancing. We ended up dancing at a Mexican bar that was playing techno and hip-hop… luckily for me there were no dance lessons involved this time. We returned to our pousada around 4. The next morning we woke up and were finished eating breakfast by about 10:30 so we headed to the beach. It was so much different seeing the town by day. It was gorgeous. The main walkway is right along the shoreline. We followed this in the opposite direction of the main street and came across numerous beaches. We finally decided on one and set up camp. Here we ooed and awed at the view and laid in the sun all day. Next to us was a boat full of refreshments (see picture) where they can whip up any type of drink you desire. Also in front of us was a grill where chicken, beef, and cheese were being cooked. People came to the same beach from all directions (by foot or by water taxi!) and soon the beach was quite the place to be. Megan and I also went for a walk to beaches that were further past ours for more stunning views. We headed back around 4, took a nap, showered, and got ready to go out. After walking around the main street and plaza we did some shopping, watched traditional dancing (capoeira), a concert, and finally found a place to eat. After more window gazing and some great ice cream (passion fruit and chocolate) we decided to call it a night. One forgets how much energy the sun takes out of you. We got back to our pousada around 11:30 found a movie playing in English and went to sleep! The next morning we were up early because we had a trolley ride to catch at 9. This gave us a great overview of Buzios and its beaches and neighborhoods. We visited over 12 beaches, all with extraordinary views. We returned to our posada, checked out, Megan headed for the bus station (since she had to catch a flight from Rio) and I stayed another two hours and just sat on the beach and did some quality people watching. On my three hour bus ride back to Rio a man from Santa Teresa (a place in Rio) sat next to me and wanted to have a three-hour English lesson…. So much for my anticipated nap. Overall, it was another outstanding weekend. This is my last week of teaching at EARJ (this week I am just observing in different ES and MS classrooms and interviewing both principals) and then I head out on my travels… the fun and excitement is just about to begin!

Weekend in Paraty

So, first off on Tuesday after school I went hang-gliding with a group of friends. AMAZING! I was pretty scared at the beginning but it all happened so fast and then when I was in the air it was totally relaxing! After, we went to the Cristo Redentor statue, on the summit of Corcovado. The statue and view from the top are quite impressive!
My weekend all began with a four-hour bus ride after school on Friday. I arrived in Paraty, a colonial/beach town around 8:30 pm. When I got off the bus Nolaska (a random tour guideish guy) asked if I had a place to stay... I talked to him for about 20 minutes while I waited for my three other teaching friends to arrive. We ended up staying at the pousada he recommended. He also was going to take us and some other foreigners on a “pub tour” that night. We met two guys from Ireland, two from Brazil, and three Americans. As a group we went to the main plaza of the town. Here everyone was outside eating, drinking, and listening to music. We decided to try out a fruit bar vendor. He whipped up various concoctions and gave us samples of the local cachaca. My favorite drink of the trip ended up being a pineapple, banana, strawberry, and vodka blend. At about 1:30 am we decided to head to a bar with dancing. We danced the night away to American/European music and also some Brazilian. A cute local guy tried to get me to samba—but I think I failed miserably!! However, he did give me the thumbs up ☺ On our walk back to the posada we came across another little plaza. At 4am this small town sure was hopping! There was a small vendor that friend hamburgers, with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and bread for a mere $2.50… and boy did it hit the spot! I also ran into the cute local, who told me we were speaking the language of love since we could not speak one another’s language… haha... I must have impressed him with those dance moves! The next day we woke up around 9 and had breakfast. We met up with the guys from the previous night and went to the pier. Here we rented a big lovely boat for six hours. The boys called it the “booze cruise” boat. We went to various beaches/islands where we snorkeled, drank, jumped off the boat, had chicken fights, laughed, limboed, danced, and a whole lot more! Around 6 we headed back to the pousada, took nap, ate dinner, and hit up the fruit bar! The next morning we woke up ate, packed, did a historical tour and I caught the 11:00 bus to Rio. My friends went their own way 2 hours later. I would have stayed longer but- I actually have work to finish up before I teach- shocking huh!! It was a nice ending to my weekend because I had terrific coastal views instead of complete darkness like I did on the way there. Well this is my last week in 8th grade… I am doing pretty much all the teaching this week so I have my fingers crossed that it goes well. I guess that means I should get to the work and not my blog, huh. Darn…

Easter Weekend

Yay for a fantastic three day weekend. My friend Taimi, who is teaching in Belo Horizonte, came to Rio to visit from Weds-Monday. On Thursday night we ran around the Lagoa, showered, and walked back to the Lagoa for a meal outside. We decided on a Middle Eastern restaurant with live music. After our caipirinas (Taimi had a not so delicious pineapple one) we ate mystery meat with cheese, tomatoes, ham, and a tortilla. On Friday we woke up and went on a favela tour. Part of the reason it was interesting was because one of the two favelas we toured was the one that is directly across from my school. I learned lots about favelas and have a much better impression of what life inside is like. From the tour we were dropped off at the beach. We spend the remainder of the day lounging at the beach, playing in the waves, and purchasing cute earrings ☺ That nigh we went out for pizza and beer. Even though we looked at an English menu, we chose the house special pizza… it did have one topping that was not translated.. but we decided to give it a try. The mystery topping ended up being sardines or anchovies… can we say YUCK! So, to make things better we had chocolate ice cream! At 11:30 we headed to the Lap area to dance at Rio Scenarium. In Lapa the streets were overflowing the live music, mini-bars, vendors, and people. At Rio Scenarium we had about an hour wait to get in. Once inside there were three floors and two separate rooms. They had a live band playing samba and other Brazilian style music. We returned home around 4am—only to wake up four hours later for a boat trip. The boat took us around the coastline of the city. Our next adventure was to Santa Teresa. Here they had a celebration with lots of color, music, and dancing. It was very bohemian and like a mini-carnival. Taimi and I went to Melt that night… it was much different from the previous night. This was much more of the club scene that I am use to. The music started with hits from the 80s and then current hip-hop. We returned home at 3 am and slept into the afternoon on Sunday. My favorite pick up line of the weekend came from the beach when a group of guys said, “Hey ladies, wanna get high? Let’s get some marijuana!” Needless to say… we just kept walking. We did manage to get in a trip to the Hippie Fair and the beach on Sunday- although it was cloudy, and a run around the lagoa- which we ended in a rainstorm. Our Easter dinner included Mac & cheese and jellybeans… YUM! Today is Monday and I have two other student teaching friends that are coming to visit because they have spring break this week…. Tomorrow we are going hang-gliding after school… oh how I love this city… ☺

Another week in paradise

I just want to start by saying once again thanks for all the emails ☺ It is so nice to hear that you are enjoying the pics/comments….so I will keep updating! Things here are still going great. This is my last week with 5th graders and then I start teaching in an 8th grade social studies classroom. I am going to be sad to leave the 5th graders because I feel like I have started to really bond with some of them the last week or so. One of the girls who is student teaching in another city in Brazil is coming to visit from tomorrow to Monday. On Monday there are also two other girls who are in another city student teaching who are coming to visit until Thursday. Then, I will meet them in Parati (beach resort kind of place!) on Friday night and will return to Rio on Sunday. I am looking forward to the next few weeks! Last weekend was a very nice and relaxing one. I did not go out too much on the town (due to not feeling well) but I did hit up the beach! And… the tankini (ahem…. Uncle David) has not made an appearance since my first beach outing! I did go to Porcao, which is a buffet place. They have tons of different normal salad bar type things and then waiter after waiter after waiter come around with various meat grilled on skewers. I have never seen so much meat in my life! I liked everything that I tried…I even tried new juices! Watermelon juice and cashew juice (the fruit not the nut!). The pictures I put up are either from my walk to the beach, the beach, walk home from the beach (pink sky and moon!), or of some of my 5th graders! Enjoy…. And thanks again!