the earth ink

Brasil may be on the world scene as the site of World Cup Finals, but the country is, of course, more than futbol. My ten day trip started and ended in São Paulo, but sandwiched in the middle, I spent three nights in the marvelous little town of Parati in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A six hour bus ride from the City, this colorful colonial town lays right up against the Pacific Ocean in a bay. From an afternoon boat trip that romantically included a live guitar solo performance of Antonio Carlos Jobim's  Girl from Impanema  among other Brasilian music, I snapped this not particularly well-focused photo. But I love this scene for the context of Parati against the hills beyond. I stayed at the Misti Chill Pousada with two new friends that I made on the busride from São Paulo. They generously offered their friendship and company on the boat trip—as well as bicycling to a waterfall that we slid down and wandering through the beautiful and historic old town. The colonial town...

Though Brasil is surrounded by Spanish speaking countries in South America, it seems that some people are always surprised that Brasilians speak Portuguese. Though Spanish can go a long way toward reading Portuguese, speaking it is a little more difficult. Each morning when I left my hotel, I asked the desk attendant for a new phrase that I could use during that day to order food, ask a price, or get directions. It became a challenge game between myself and the hotel staff and a fantastic way to show respect toward and engage with the people of São Paulo. My experience in Brasil was vibrant and colorful. Women really do wear stilettos and look like fashionistas walking down Avenida Paulista. Fresh squeezed juice stands dot the street corners with beverages that rivaled my morning coffee! I waited for a friend of mine to introduce me to Metro Station, Sé. We got off the train and explored the Catedral Metropolitana de São Paulo's tall spires. We walked inside to see the gothic a...