Behold. The top of Rio de Janeiro. Pedra da Gávea. Taller than Cristo Redentor (Giant Stone Jesus) and Pão de Açúcar, it offers arguably the best views in all of Rio. However, getting to the top is no easy task, and the hike requires endurance, a bit of climbing and a spot of chest hair (easily
Brazil Beachwear: The Sunga
Before arriving in Rio de Janeiro I was convinced that I would never find myself wearing anything smaller than a pair of board shorts whilst at the beach. Nothing you could have said would have changed that fact; but Brazil proved a formidable catalyst for change in the bathing suit
The Empregada Room: Cheap Rent In Rio de Janiero
From what I have seen thus far every most homes/apartments in Rio de Janeiro are equipped with what can only be described as slave quarters. The room in question measures somewhere between a refrigerator and a walk-in closet accompanied by an attached bathroom (essentially a shower stall with a
A Day In The Life Of A PUC-Rio Student
Brazil is different. Rio is different. PUC-Rio is really different. Let me explain. The following is an account of my typical Tuesday and Thursday morning class between the hours of 09:00 and 11:00. A TYPICAL DAY 9:00 - Class officially begins according to the PUC-Rio schedule of
Feliz Páscoa! Easter And Zombie Jesus In Brazil
Apparently today is Easter (or Páscoa if you are in Brazil). I did not see any egg hunts going on, and I did not see any large rabbits rampaging through the streets scaring the daylights out of children. So it was not truly Easter I suppose, but it appeared that people were having a good time
Hiking Corcovado To Cristo Redentor (Giant Stone Jesus)
LOOK! Up there on the cliff! It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's Superman! Well, actually it's not Superman, it's Giant Stone Jesus - sorry to disappoint you. Although now that I am thinking about the two of them, Giant Stone Jesus vs. Superman in a battle to the death would certainly be
Power Outlets In Brazil: What You Need To Know
I haven't spoken to anyone else down here about this yet, but prior to my departure I had a difficult time determining what sort of adapter and/or voltage converter (if any) I would need to bring with me in order to accommodate my electronics in Brazil. It was frustrating not being able to 100%
The Refugee Camp: Kicked Out Of My Brazilian Apartment
Recently a long and complicated string of unfortunate events took place in this Brazilian life of mine, and so I have constructed this visual approximation to help with everyone's understanding: Don't understand? I got kicked out of my apartment (because the owner loves his girlfriend more
Açaí: Delicious Purple Goodness From Brazil
Pictured above we have a delicious and savory bowl of açaí. And I know that many of you may think that you've had açaí before, but let me assure you that this wonderful and mysterious product of the Amazon is done no justice by the "flavored" products found in the US (juices, teas, vodkas, Jamba