Day 4: January 5, 2014
We arrived in Rio de Janeiro to the realization that an unfortunate misplacement had occurred that inhibited the group from further activities until it was resolved. The day was spent instead spent at the hotel’s rooftop pool. The scenery was breathtaking. Being amongst the surrounding mountains was a surreal experience. Rio is the second largest city second largest city in Brazil, and the sixth most populous in the Americas. Our hotel was located in Copacabana Beach, which is located in the South Zone of the city. One highlight of this day was the amazing pineapple and guava smoothie that accompanied my equally delicious ham and cheese, from the food shop not too far from our hotel. At night you could see the favelas perched in the mountain side at a distance, glowing a strange light blue neon color.
Day 5: January 6, 2014
We visited the most well known landmark and figure of Rio, Christ the Redeemer. It was one of my least favorite places we visited because of the shear volume of people that were there. I was disappointed. I imagined it to be symbol or holy ground for those who visited it, but it came off as more of an attraction. The monument sits atop Corcovado, and stands at a height of 120 feet consisting of concrete and soapstone. Construction began in 1922 and was finished 9 years later at a cost of about $250,000 dollars. We were first bused to one vantage point, then to the steps leading up to the being right underneath the statue. The views from the statue allowed 360-degree views of the city below. We had the intention of hiking down but were unable to find a trail, later finding out only crazy Europeans were keen on taking it. Dinner later that night was a great affair. The group was just in good spirits and enjoying themselves on the trip. We ate the most amazing meal of chicken and pineapples, which is called frango com abacaxi in Portuguese. Our waiter named Sergio was a good time all around and taught us how to pronounce things here and there. He told us he lived in one of the largest favelas in Rio and actually offered to show us around because our other guide had fell threw. Unfortunately this did not come to fruition, however it was still one of the more memorable moments of the trip.
Day 6: January 7, 2014
In the morning, Jessica, Cristina, Dan, Carly, Harley and I went to Copacabana Beach before our meeting with Chevron that afternoon. Somehow, one of Harley’s flip-flops disappeared while we all were sunbathing and it still remains a mystery to where it could have exactly gone. I had always seen the beach in pictures, but nothing can compare to seeing it in person. We returned to the hotel and readied ourselves for the meeting. It took place in Centro Brazil, which required us to take the subway for the first time. The experience was comparable to that of the Metro in Washington, D.C. The meeting covered many topics on the extraction of oil from the pre-salt layer of the coast of Brazil. There is no other natural inclement weather in Brazil except for rain, and the south-facing coastline is susceptible to summer storms. Developing an oil field consists of intense exploration by sound waves shot off by an air gun. When is comes back it determines the composition of the seabed underneath. They also covered the ecology of Brazil, describing each of the biomes within the country and the risks to these biomes that included, water shortages, loss of biodiversity, climate changes, and erosion due to deforestation. The geologist also gave me an explanation to the structures that could be seen in the mountain sides from our hotel roof. They were constructed to combat possible landslides that could greatly endanger the city. I wish I had been more comfortable asking questions concerning the company’s thoughts of renewable energy. Later that night, Carly and Renee gave a presentation on recreation of Rio. We then got prepared for our journey to Curitiba.
Day 13: January 14, 2014
Staying in Centro, Rio de Janeiro introduced the group to a different side of the city. It was weird to have somewhat of a familiar feeling to the city however, as we made our way to Tijuca National Park. Known as the largest urban forest, this land was once cultivated for coffee and sugar. It is a tremendous example of manmade reclamation and is a part of the Atlantic Rainforest. I thought it would be a pretty easy hike, yet heat and humidity was definitely a factor I had not considered. Walking on the trails, Id previously imagined we would come across some wildlife but this was not at all true. We did however come across an example of a landslide due to the removal of vegetation that had previously held the earth in place. A tree bearing large yellow spikey fruit was a curious sight, which later we found to be Jackfruit. This widely popular fruit in Brazil is native to South and Southeast Asia, but origins can be traced to Southwestern India. It is called Jaca in Portuguese. The group took one of the best photos of the trip in Tijuca. I myself had the great idea to climb the tree (the picture is located on the about page). Unable to fit anymore into our schedule we spent the rest of the day by the pool, discussing the events of the trip and readying ourselves for the long flight home. Time seemed to go by fairly slowly in the beginning but before we knew it we were on our final day. The trip taught me many things. It allowed me to open myself to new experiences and meet lots of new people. I am glad to say I was a part of it.
We arrived in Rio de Janeiro to the realization that an unfortunate misplacement had occurred that inhibited the group from further activities until it was resolved. The day was spent instead spent at the hotel’s rooftop pool. The scenery was breathtaking. Being amongst the surrounding mountains was a surreal experience. Rio is the second largest city second largest city in Brazil, and the sixth most populous in the Americas. Our hotel was located in Copacabana Beach, which is located in the South Zone of the city. One highlight of this day was the amazing pineapple and guava smoothie that accompanied my equally delicious ham and cheese, from the food shop not too far from our hotel. At night you could see the favelas perched in the mountain side at a distance, glowing a strange light blue neon color.
Day 5: January 6, 2014
We visited the most well known landmark and figure of Rio, Christ the Redeemer. It was one of my least favorite places we visited because of the shear volume of people that were there. I was disappointed. I imagined it to be symbol or holy ground for those who visited it, but it came off as more of an attraction. The monument sits atop Corcovado, and stands at a height of 120 feet consisting of concrete and soapstone. Construction began in 1922 and was finished 9 years later at a cost of about $250,000 dollars. We were first bused to one vantage point, then to the steps leading up to the being right underneath the statue. The views from the statue allowed 360-degree views of the city below. We had the intention of hiking down but were unable to find a trail, later finding out only crazy Europeans were keen on taking it. Dinner later that night was a great affair. The group was just in good spirits and enjoying themselves on the trip. We ate the most amazing meal of chicken and pineapples, which is called frango com abacaxi in Portuguese. Our waiter named Sergio was a good time all around and taught us how to pronounce things here and there. He told us he lived in one of the largest favelas in Rio and actually offered to show us around because our other guide had fell threw. Unfortunately this did not come to fruition, however it was still one of the more memorable moments of the trip.
Day 6: January 7, 2014
In the morning, Jessica, Cristina, Dan, Carly, Harley and I went to Copacabana Beach before our meeting with Chevron that afternoon. Somehow, one of Harley’s flip-flops disappeared while we all were sunbathing and it still remains a mystery to where it could have exactly gone. I had always seen the beach in pictures, but nothing can compare to seeing it in person. We returned to the hotel and readied ourselves for the meeting. It took place in Centro Brazil, which required us to take the subway for the first time. The experience was comparable to that of the Metro in Washington, D.C. The meeting covered many topics on the extraction of oil from the pre-salt layer of the coast of Brazil. There is no other natural inclement weather in Brazil except for rain, and the south-facing coastline is susceptible to summer storms. Developing an oil field consists of intense exploration by sound waves shot off by an air gun. When is comes back it determines the composition of the seabed underneath. They also covered the ecology of Brazil, describing each of the biomes within the country and the risks to these biomes that included, water shortages, loss of biodiversity, climate changes, and erosion due to deforestation. The geologist also gave me an explanation to the structures that could be seen in the mountain sides from our hotel roof. They were constructed to combat possible landslides that could greatly endanger the city. I wish I had been more comfortable asking questions concerning the company’s thoughts of renewable energy. Later that night, Carly and Renee gave a presentation on recreation of Rio. We then got prepared for our journey to Curitiba.
Day 13: January 14, 2014
Staying in Centro, Rio de Janeiro introduced the group to a different side of the city. It was weird to have somewhat of a familiar feeling to the city however, as we made our way to Tijuca National Park. Known as the largest urban forest, this land was once cultivated for coffee and sugar. It is a tremendous example of manmade reclamation and is a part of the Atlantic Rainforest. I thought it would be a pretty easy hike, yet heat and humidity was definitely a factor I had not considered. Walking on the trails, Id previously imagined we would come across some wildlife but this was not at all true. We did however come across an example of a landslide due to the removal of vegetation that had previously held the earth in place. A tree bearing large yellow spikey fruit was a curious sight, which later we found to be Jackfruit. This widely popular fruit in Brazil is native to South and Southeast Asia, but origins can be traced to Southwestern India. It is called Jaca in Portuguese. The group took one of the best photos of the trip in Tijuca. I myself had the great idea to climb the tree (the picture is located on the about page). Unable to fit anymore into our schedule we spent the rest of the day by the pool, discussing the events of the trip and readying ourselves for the long flight home. Time seemed to go by fairly slowly in the beginning but before we knew it we were on our final day. The trip taught me many things. It allowed me to open myself to new experiences and meet lots of new people. I am glad to say I was a part of it.