Last night I came across a website called iamexpat.nl on which I read an article by a professional writer living in the Hague and writing non-fiction in English who argues that living abroad is already an interesting enough subject for anyone who wants to write. So, one need not begin with a whole book right away, but keeping a blog, writing for online sources and so on, is already a good start. She also recommends aspiring writers to just spend 10 minutes a day writing something - even anything that comes into their head - which will help train them to get into the writing mode. So, I thought that's a good idea, and though maybe every day may not work, at least right away, I will try to write little snippets as often as I can (maybe not every time here though). If you have to read all that goes through my head, or anyone else's, so often, I think you will get crazy! One's own thoughts are already enough aren't they?
As this blog was originally set up for Maschmallow's Adventures in Brazil, and I still have much to write about it, I will start with some thoughts on this subject, connected by the first theme: today, Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro, as I have written before, is lovingly called the cidade maravilhosa, the 'wonderful city' by the cariocas themselves. Some of you may remember seeing my first entry on Rio, a few months and entries ago, from my first trip there (it's the entry with all the pictures of Rio.. hard to miss). It's strange to think of it now, my first trip to Rio, and I have to say, it is one heck of a city. Random thought occurred to me earlier, you know how people compare Buenos Aires to Paris? I've been trying to think which European city one could compare Rio with, and I still haven't found the answer.
That said, Rio is a beautiful place. Well, maybe not on the first impression as you leave the rodoviaria (bus station) and ride on the bus through the down-trodden areas in the zona norte... but even there, the city seems to have a specific power over the (first-time) visitor. As you make your way from the zona norte through the centro to the zona sul, it's like you enter a different world. Do you see this picture? That's Ipanema, from my first visit there. Some of you already know, I loved Ipanema, it's hands down the most beautiful beach I've ever seen, and just people watching there is very entertaining. Next to Ipanema is Copacabana, which used to be the beach in the past, but is now considered to have lost much of its former flair. Nevertheless, Copacabana is extremely interesting to hang out, as it's full of options for things to do (and generally cheaper than in Ipanema, actually).I've done an array of tourist things in Rio. I've gone up to the Corcovado to see the Christ statue twice, and I have to admit, it was one of the most amazing sights I've come across in Brazil. I've been to the Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf mountain), been to Lapa several times, and once during the day, I went to Niteroi, the neighbouring island, I've been to the centre, Botafogo, lay on the beach in both Ipanema and Copacabana... and I've even been in a favela, Rocinha, which may be pretty much the biggest favela in South America.
Actually, among my first encounters with Brazil was when I followed an introduction course in anthropology back at university, and we read an anthropologist's book about life and gender issues in a Rio favela based on her own observations there (not Rocinha though). Never did I think back then that one day I'd visit a favela, not because I wouldn't want to, but because it didn't even occur to me to think of it... so imagine that. During this course was also when I saw Brazilian movies for the first time, the famous (and slightly infamous) Cidade de Deus (City of God, of course) and Bus 174. Equipped with that knowledge from my studies, I went into the favela (or rather, zoomed up on the back of a motorbike) with a tour group, to have a peek at what life is actually like there. But perhaps I should leave the discussion of Brazilian social and economic realities for later. Let's just say it was a worthy trip to make.
Rio offers many great views and tourist attractions, but what's also great is just finding yourself somewhere random in the city center (in daylight, preferably though!), to just take in the daily life around. After our trip to the Corcovado, we were dropped off somewhere in the center because I wanted to go check out this small pretty colonial church (the most beautiful in Rio, according to the guide book), and the driver dropped us an almost 10 minute walk away from there. So while we made our way to the church, we enjoyed just encountering a new neighbourhood in the city. Check it out. Isn't it pretty cool?
Then again, I've always been the type who just likes hanging around a place, walking, stopping, continuing, seeing old and new things around, taking in the life. Perhaps people are different in that respect though... and in a city as big and culturally rich as Rio, the amount of things to do is pretty unending. It is a city some don't like, too, I've heard... and some love. The city is indeed very complicated, quite controversial and sometimes challenging... but it's an experience in every way.
So, this was not 10 minutes... I'm gonna try to time myself! Kidding... nothing wrong with writing for an aspiring writer... but I think I will leave it at this just now. Hope you enjoyed my wonderings ;)
Beijos!
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