Oi Amigos!
I wanted to take some time to update you on what I have been up to down here in South America. I am currently living in Rio de Janeiro Brasil to participate in a "study" abroad program at a local university within the city. Living in Rio has been a one of a kind experience, because the city in unique in the kind of opportunities for recreation it provides. Rio is home to the world's largest urban forest, and is constructed in the valleys between the mountains that rise like towers out of the various neighborhoods. This means that there is endless opportunity for world class rock climbing and hiking right out of my back door. For example one of my favorite peaks, Pedra da Gavea, is pictured below.
It is a unique challenge living in a foreign country, especially one in which you have no prior experience speaking the language. It makes everyday tasks just that much more difficult. However, I have learned that to live outside your comfort zone you have to act and speak sem vergonhas, or without shame. Every time I speak, it seems I make some sort of mistake, and of course they always involve me saying some sort of curse word accidently. If I have learned anything abroad, it is that fear of failure is worse than failure itself.
My first month here was spent enrolled in a language course, and at the beginning of February I had the opportunity to travel for ten days through Northern Brasil. My friends and I spent the first half of the vacation in Chapada Diamantina, exploring mountains and waterfalls located next to sleepy Brasilian villages.
After returning our car to Salvador, we spent our next three days on the seemingly abandoned island of Boipeba, kayaking and exploring the jungle.
I have also had the chance to climb quite a bit even while school is going on. It is the first time in my life that I have taken public transport to and from the base of a crag, and it is a little bizarre to multi pitch next to the city. The rock here is excellent, even if sometimes the protection (bolts) are not. The Brasilian climbing community has been very welcoming, and have shown me some of the best spots to climb in the city. Yesterday I was able to go multipitching at a hidden crag called ropa souja, which rises up to overlook the Favela Rocinha, one of the largest slums in the world.
Finally, my only other update is I am finally 21! I celebrated my birthday with 21 activities attempted in 35 straight hours. I capped off the marathon by hiking up Pedra da Gavea at night to catch the nascer do sol (sunrise). We may have had to jump two gates, and sweet talk one guard to let us in to the park at 3 in the morning were we able to make it to the top, but it was completely worth it!
Carnival starts in two weeks here in RIo, and the city is already gearing up by having practice blocos (street parties), just to make sure everyone remembers how to party. So for now, I will continue to live the carioca lifestyle here in South America!
Abraços,
Blackhawk