Ouro Preto! - My final entry from Brasil!!!!!

After the completion of my volunteer experience, I needed to get out of the city, so I took a trip to Ouro Preto (Thank you, Cindy Giddle).  It is an amazing town, that is different from the rest of Brasil.  It is a perfect transition, as I start to plan the European leg of my tour.  It is Europe in Brasil.  Take a look.

This is the Paco Municipal, which includes the Museu da Inconfidencia. This museum is on par with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in terms of the quality of the collection.

A portion of the Praca Tiradentes.  Ouro Preto is most famous as the birthplace of the Inconfidencia Mineira (the Mineria Betrayal).  This was the first attempt to free Brazil from the Portuguese.  Twelve prominent citizens led by Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier (a dentist, known to everyone as Tiradentes - "teeth puller") began to organize a rebellion.  They were betrayed and sentenced to death, however, a royal reprieve was arranged for exile.  Unfortunately, Tiradentes, as the leader was the first scheduled to be executed and was killed before the order reached Ouro Preto.  He was hanged where the central monument bearing his name now stands.

                                     One of the 13 amazing Igrejas in Ouro Preto.

This is Kristy from Vancouver.  The only other English speaker in Ouro Preto.  This means that she was subject to my running commentary on everything.  Sorry Kristy.

I sat outside this church one evening and listened to chanting in Portuguese.  It was a beautiful, surreal experience.

                              Strangely, this restaurant had very few English speaking customers.

                         This is a Mining College, that is now a part of the University system of Brasil.

Ouro Preto, Black Gold.  Yes, Gold was found in them thar hills, hence the name.  It is funny that you must travel through Ouro Branco (white gold) to get to Ouro Preto.

The Train from Ouro Preto to Mariana, another very similar town in this region.

A view of waterfalls from the train.

The landscape.

The edge of Mariana.

Guess what they got here?!  Mais Igrejas!

I should be well prepared for Europe.  I have no inside pictures of the churches, as they were not allowed.

                                               A view of Mariana from the hilltop.

                                                  A favela at the edge of Mariana.

Ohh, I almost forgot to put this one in.  I never get to say this, but, for Mom and Dad, this is a shot of the United Methodist Church in the Vila Kennedy favela where I worked.  I passed it everyday, grateful to have lived in Centrailia, PA, fire and all.

After Ouro Preto, I came back to Rio and hung out in Ipanema for a few days with a great group of people. I made it to a Botafogo futebol match, they won 3-1.  And, I had one more mountain to climb.  No, scratch that, to jump off of.

Strap on the glider and run off the deck.  Awesome!  Don't worry, I was strapped in with a pro who did all the work.  Very, very cool!!!  Flew over Rio and landed on the beach!

This trip has been amazing.  It has been a collection of wonderful people, amazing places, and beautiful sights.  I encourage you all to take a trip to Brasil.  It is well worth the effort.  Eu amo Brasil!!!!  Tchau for now.  Next up Jon Brown's European Vacation.