It has been already 3 days since I landed in Rio de Jainero. I got the most warm welcome from Vitoria’s family, which picked me up at the airport. Same experience was later with Fagner’s family, my new family. I am glad that AIESEC, the organization through which I undergo this exprience, do this reception. I would be totally lost in such a big city as Rio.
At the airport I got the usual travelers tips about pickpocketing and we went to the BRT, as I understood the backbone of the Rio transportation. There should be also subway (metro) but I haven’t used it yet. The BRT are in general buses with reserved lines going through the most important areas and neighbourhoods in the city. The BRT has many connecting buses form other parts of Rio. All use the same fee 3,8 Brazil Reais (cca 1,1 USD), that seems as quite fair price to me considering the fact you can go through the whole city.
On the airport in Vienna and Lisabon
But back to my pickup. From GIG Airport we went to region Barra da Tijuca. To me it looked like pretty good neighbourhood. I had chance to glimpse over the Olympic Venue there, where I will be working during Olympics. I got invited for the dinner. We had a “cheese bread” and tasty soup made from corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peas and macaroni. After my long travel together with refreshing shower it was the best I could wish for at the moment. Later we went trough pictures of Rio with Vitoria mother. I immidiately decided I must visit all of those places Christo Redentor, beaches, mountains, markets, it will be amazing.
Picture of the airplane wing, must have of every travllers blog, down is Brasil, north from Rio
After the dinner we left for my final destination – my place of stay for next 2 months, my new family and new home. I was full of expectations, also a bit scared but mostly excited and also little tired. Late in night we arrived to the part of Rio called Vargem Pequena. We were expected and I got maybe even more pleasant welcome! My new family got together even in such late hour and I was presented with amazing chocolate cake. I wasn’t sure but my senses were telling me that this will be wonderful place to stay. We roamed around the wonderful house, talked a little bit and then went for deserved sleep.
Day 2
Next day wake up bit late. I went to the house terrace and saw the wonderful surroundings the house was located in. Palm trees everywhere. For me palm trees represent something exotic, holiday, summer, sun … unknown places. It was the best view I could wish for in the morning. Later I was told that behind our house starts a preserved park, I know its incorrect but from that moment I will always say that behind my house in Rio starts the rainforest. I had a breakfast and we get to know each other more. The first I met was Lorenzo. The youngest member of my new family. He was just all over the place, so energetic and happy. We started immidiately to exchange our culture differences and talk about important stuff. We understood each other perfectly no matter the language and age difference. Later we focus our energy to blue ball and swing and had wonderful time. It’s worth mentioning Lorenzo is 2 years old.
Later I started my Portuguese course with my new mother. I already can describe some of my body parts and most importantly say “no intendo” which means I don’t understand. It was wonderful morning. After lunch I packed my bag and most importantly my BRT card and headed with help of the mother and her sister to the closest bus station. My destination was university campus on Fundao Island. Yes there is university on island in Rio and it is just huge.
Typical street in Rio de Janeiro
The reason of my travel there was that I was so lucky to get invitation for the students party. The topic was “festa junina”. From the information I got it was supposed to be some farm celebration of harvest, or something like that. I met university students there and from the small talks I tried to make picture what it is like to be a student in Rio, what goodies and challgenges it brings. In the evening I headed home. This trip should become the biggest challenge so far. With the help of my new friends Vitoria, Julia and Julia, we arrived to Curicica station, where are paths divided. During the travel here, we talked how I should find the right bus to get home (find the group of people which looks like waiting for a bus and join them) and how to stop it (use button until you hear sound, if bus is not stopping, start shouting “moto parae” which should mean something like driver stop here). It went well I found the proper station and I was heading home, to my house under the rain forest.
Day 3
The next day we went shopping to the place near Tarqua BRT station. The place was quite busy with market on the streets and plenty of shops. Its typical here mostly for the weekend as most of the people work during the week.
Oranges you buy here are not perfect as those we buy in our supermarkets in Europe, they are just normal, how they should be, same with bananas, think about it
You can also buy fruits and vegetables you hardly get in Europe
After the shopping we continued with the trip to the Rio beaches. It was an amazing experience as we drove throught different neighborhoods and finally arrived to the sea. On the way back we stopped to see the different parts of the park and then shop something for late lunch.
Its not much to say more just enjoy the following pictures.
Ficus – typical decoration in Czech living room, here in nature
Told you almost like proper rain forest
The experience just started. Stay tuned for more. In the next posts you may found some hot pictures from Olympic Park and as I will start visiting my community you may also expect pictures from there.
