Camera Problems

Okay.  My camera has officially died.  I, however, do have Bridget´s camera, so I will be taking pictures.  I just won´t be able to place them on the blog until I return to the US.  To purchase a new camera in Brazil is crazy.  Electronics are very expensive here.  So, sorry, but these things happen.

COL 101 - CCP Brasil!

Boa tarde amigos!

I moved into the volunteer house in Santa Teresa last week.  I am living with 20 volunteers from different countries, all working on different volunteer projects.  I started teaching English last week in Vila Kennedy, a favela about an hour ride by bus on the outskirts of Rio.  There are no supplies.  There are no books.  There is nothing.  So, I went shopping.

This past week, we reviewed what the classes know, in terms of English.  I will create my lesson plans for this week, this weekend.  I will give them what I can, but this program could use greater structure in terms of how they use volunteers and how they prepare them.  Most of the volunteers are 18 to 22 and have no experience.  They need material and direction.

Luckily, for me, I have my years at CCP.  Two days into teaching and it felt like I was going to work at a new Regional Center.  The second day, the previous teacher called out sick.  No problem!  CCP - South, south, south campus - RIO!

I am up each day at 7:00, on the bus by 8:30, back at 4:30 and off to my Portuguese class from 6 - 8 each night.  Glad, I got my traveling in before I started.  This is a great experience.  Similarities and differences and great people are what I keep finding.

I will get pictures to you in the future.

Tchau!  Ate Logo!  Valeu!

IGUAÇU - ARGENTINA

Hello all.  Here is the view from the Argentinian side.  It is up close and ferocious.  Enjoy!  Today I move to the volunteer headquarters for my 3 weeks of teaching English in the favelas.  Undoubtedly, my experience will change, as has been the nature of this trip.  Tchau!

                                                       But first a tower for Bridget!

                                                       Did someone leave the water on?

                                                                                  Nice, huh?

                                                                            Go Phillies!  Americano?!

                                              The super expensive luxury hotel at the falls!!  I didn´t stay here.

Yes!! That´s more like it.  Strangely, I was the only American at the El Shaddai, but, by the end, they loved the gringo!

                                  Can´t seem to help but take the rainbow shots!  Bom Dia!

Rafting Iguaçu!!

Here I am with Tatya.  She was the only other English speaker on our raft.  Take a look at these rapids.

                                                                          Watch out!!

                                This is the ladder that I had to climb down to get to the rafting area.

                                                                 Whimps in a motorized boat.

                                                                      That´s a boat!

That´s it for the rafting.  Sorry it isn´t more exciting, but you can´t take pictures when you are paddling for your life.  Next, the view from Argentina!!!

Iguaçu Falls! - Brazilian side

Warning!!!!  If you want to save your money, do not look at these pictures!!!!  If you do look at these pictures, you will want to come to Brazil, even more than you did before.  I  am not responsible!!!!  These are the falls from the Brazilian side.  275 total individual falls.  The rains have been incredible recently, so the rivers are high and the falls are mighty.

 

 

 

 

Sofia from Espana.  She flew from Rio to Iguaçu for the day.  Flew back the same day.  She said she had to see the falls before going back to Spain. 

 

 

 

I was at a waterfall this big!  No, It was bigger!

 

Stay tuned for two more installments from Iguaçu - Rafting and Argentina!

 

                   I lost my paddle once in the Grand Canyon.  That can´t happen here.

 

More from Bridget´s visit

                                                             Does anything else need to be said?

So, I wear my Phillies cap and Bridget wears her Phils shirt.  We rarely run into anyone who knows or cares.  Except for the two girls from Yardley.  Funny.

Bridget and Jesus.  Notice which one has the open arms.

A cool shot from a park that had some really great views of Cristo Rendento.

                                               Bridget doing her best Rapunzel imitation.

                                                             Lily pads at the park.

                                    This is supposed to be the Versaille of Brazil.  Fechado!  Blah.

                               Arcos do Lapa.  This is strangely the hot, happening spot in Rio.  Lapa!

                                                           Apparently, Brazil loves my Dad!

Back on Ilha Grande, we visited Lazerto prison.  A now defunct prison that existed on the island.  I think `Lost`could have been filmed here.

                               We also considered taking a three hour tour...red shirt, Gilligan, yeah.

                                                             This is a fruit, not a tumor.

                                                                             Our veranda.

                                                                        Our first floor.

                                                                               Cafe de manha.

And, us at the park.  We had a great week!  Sadly, Bridget goes home today.  Let me go hop in the pool with her, before she has to take off.  Tchau!