The next 9 day we are on the boat, our home. This is the longest span of time that we will ever be on the boat for which is really exciting! We have class every day but 1 which is the sea Olympics. This is the time where everyone is really falling into their group of who they are going to be good friends with for the rest of the trip Stephanie and I including. Of course we are together in the same group of friends.
My cousin Stephanie and I are roommates and we have always been friend being that we are only born 20 hours apart but as we grew older we saw less of each other. Now we are on this amazing ship in a little room together and we have become in separable! Our one friend calls us cousintry while most ask if we are apart where our other half has gone. We are having a great time together and really getting to know each other. <3
Sea Olympics - Day 7 at Sea! – Let’s go Mediterranean Sea!
Green Team – You know
The sea Olympics are a day of fun and games and unity on the boat. It’s a good time for all and a way to break up the 9 days on the boat where we have straight classes. On the 6th day at sea we have opening ceremonies. This is where we display our banner and do our teams cheer and a few speeches are given. It’s all in good fun and it’s very loud!!!!
There are games such as crab soccer, volley ball, basketball SAS (horse), tug of war car stacking trivia and many more. However, I did not sign up for any of those events, I signed up for the main event which I did not realize it was until the night before. I was in the synchronized swimming event. The entire 7th deck was cover with students watching a recording us as we were the first event to go on and perform. Our routine was with 6 people. Stephanie, Maria, Kelly, Colby, Scott and myself and we did a dance and swim to the song Wannabe by the spice girls. This was absolutely hilarious as we had only practice twice and we were only given 2 days to come up with a routine. We had a great time doing it even though the night before we were all regretting signing up for it. As soon as we did it we realized how much fun it was and we could laugh through the whole thing! We ended up getting 3rd out of 10 teams so all in all I think it was a success! And we even go barbeque for dinner which it was amazing to have ribs, burgers, and hotdogs, along with countless bowls of ice cream!
Check back for more soon as I will be in Ghana where Stephanie and I part ways for the first time………….. : /
can you find me?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Brazil- Day 4 – Rio
We started the morning off with breakfast then on to the bus quickly and went to a canopy walk and zip lining. We first went through a series of horizontal ladders which Paige and I teamed up and zoomed right though it while we did balancing acts and a little ballet on each rope or ladder.
We then went over to the zip line area. The zip line was cool and you could see out into the city. It was an amazing view. After that we went had snacks at the bottom and then went back to the hotel and ran to the beach! Stephanie and my goal is to swim in every body of water that we port at and since we swam in the black river only 400 feet away from where we went piranha fishing I think we are on our way to success. So we made our way to the beach where the sand was hot and the water was perfect.
After that we explored some local markets and stores searching for a few things that we knew we wanted coming back from these countries. We learned that people in Brazil don’t really bargain especially in the tourist district of Rio.
Now being from New Jersey and coming from a large Italian family, tomato sauce is something you learn to crave. On the ship we aren’t served this ever! So while in Rio we needed to get some pizza. So we walked along the strip of restaurants looking for good cheap food. We finally found a place that fit our budget and walked in and ordered a pizza for the 2 of us. Prepared to stuff our faces we anticipate this pizza coming to us. What comes to us but a dominoes sized pizza, but wait where’s the sauce
Me: "uhhhhhhh"
Stephanie: "Where’s the sauce?"
Me: "I feel like I’m eating cheesy bread?"
Stephanie: "I can’t eat this I’m going to be sick like what the heck?"
So the next 15 minutes of our time while our pie crust with cheese is getting cold was devoted to asking a man who speaks nothing but Portuguese to bring us a bowl of tomato sauce. The first time we ask he came back with a basket full of ketchup packets.
Me: "un bowlo? (I said making a hand motion and then pointed to the menu at tomato sauce.)"
He shakes his head ...it’s like a light bulb went off in his head! Ahhh ha! He goes away for a little and comes back with yet a second basket of ketchup packets. Stephanie and I start cracking up! Our waiter, who has been laughing this whole time especially after I cupped my hands and said bowlo hoping it may be the Spanish word for bowl, goes and gets a waitress who can speak some Spanish. We go through the whole process again and she finally understands leaves and comes back with yet a third basket of ketchup. Now Stephanie is getting frustrated and I’m trying to figure out how to explain this we any way after a long time we finally got our red sauce and dunked cheese on what was essentially pie crust into a big bowl of sauce!
Travel tip: don’t think you can get pizza equivalent of jersey pizza in brazil… you can’t! so I suggest not trying!
The plane ride home the next morning was long and exhausting. But we finally made it back and came right back to the boat where we stuffed our faces and said good bye as our boat slowly pulled away.
Coming away from this trip I know a few words in Portuguese
Obregata – thank you
Gi nada – you’re welcome
Conoodoo – straw
Descupa – sorry
Poco - little
And I wish I could remember the other ones I was taught but it’s a lot to take in!
We then went over to the zip line area. The zip line was cool and you could see out into the city. It was an amazing view. After that we went had snacks at the bottom and then went back to the hotel and ran to the beach! Stephanie and my goal is to swim in every body of water that we port at and since we swam in the black river only 400 feet away from where we went piranha fishing I think we are on our way to success. So we made our way to the beach where the sand was hot and the water was perfect.
After that we explored some local markets and stores searching for a few things that we knew we wanted coming back from these countries. We learned that people in Brazil don’t really bargain especially in the tourist district of Rio.
Now being from New Jersey and coming from a large Italian family, tomato sauce is something you learn to crave. On the ship we aren’t served this ever! So while in Rio we needed to get some pizza. So we walked along the strip of restaurants looking for good cheap food. We finally found a place that fit our budget and walked in and ordered a pizza for the 2 of us. Prepared to stuff our faces we anticipate this pizza coming to us. What comes to us but a dominoes sized pizza, but wait where’s the sauce
Me: "uhhhhhhh"
Stephanie: "Where’s the sauce?"
Me: "I feel like I’m eating cheesy bread?"
Stephanie: "I can’t eat this I’m going to be sick like what the heck?"
So the next 15 minutes of our time while our pie crust with cheese is getting cold was devoted to asking a man who speaks nothing but Portuguese to bring us a bowl of tomato sauce. The first time we ask he came back with a basket full of ketchup packets.
Me: "un bowlo? (I said making a hand motion and then pointed to the menu at tomato sauce.)"
He shakes his head ...it’s like a light bulb went off in his head! Ahhh ha! He goes away for a little and comes back with yet a second basket of ketchup packets. Stephanie and I start cracking up! Our waiter, who has been laughing this whole time especially after I cupped my hands and said bowlo hoping it may be the Spanish word for bowl, goes and gets a waitress who can speak some Spanish. We go through the whole process again and she finally understands leaves and comes back with yet a third basket of ketchup. Now Stephanie is getting frustrated and I’m trying to figure out how to explain this we any way after a long time we finally got our red sauce and dunked cheese on what was essentially pie crust into a big bowl of sauce!
Travel tip: don’t think you can get pizza equivalent of jersey pizza in brazil… you can’t! so I suggest not trying!
The plane ride home the next morning was long and exhausting. But we finally made it back and came right back to the boat where we stuffed our faces and said good bye as our boat slowly pulled away.
Coming away from this trip I know a few words in Portuguese
Obregata – thank you
Gi nada – you’re welcome
Conoodoo – straw
Descupa – sorry
Poco - little
And I wish I could remember the other ones I was taught but it’s a lot to take in!
Brazil - Day 3 – RIO
I wake up as the plane is landing and I look out the window to see that the sky is completely red!!! This is no exaggeration! The sunrise was making the entire sky red it was beautiful! Well we got off that plane in Brasilia and got immediately on to the next one to Rio.
Once we reached rio we were informed that we would not be staying at the same hotel as the other groups but it would be okay we would still have fun. So we changed in the airport and made our way on to a tour bus where we were driven to breakfast on the beach. Along the way Patricia told us all about the city!
Now when I originally thought of Rio I thought it was not going to be that nice I mean it is the second most dangerous city in the world and I was a little scared but while driving around at was absolutely beautiful!!!!!! They told us there was nothing to be afraid of but just to not walk on the beach side at night!
After breakfast by the beach we walked around the corner to where we were to meet jeeps (which looked like converted pickups) to tour the city! The jeep I was in had a tour guide with the softest voice I have ever heard, so I sat right next to her to make sure I would be able to learn something about the city. We went through a few of the districts of Rio starting in Cococabana where our hotel was to be. Cococabana is the safest of all the places with rio it is the most touristy and not as much affordable to live in however there were some places, such as in the favelas. A favela is essentially a slum. It is government property that people do not have to pay taxes on however these places are not the most desirable to live in. There is a lot of killings, crime and drugs within the favelas. It was even stated that the favelas use different color roofs to determine which kind of drugs each place sells which is quite inventive but not a place you want to go in to…so we looked from afar.
While on the jeeps we took a look at the town and scenery and proceeded first to Cocovado or Christ the redeemer. This is one place every one should go in their life. Not only is the statue amazing in itself but the view around is remarkable. Rio is an urban jungle meaning that it has extensive city though out the rainforest and from Cocovado you can see everything. This is the most amazing view I have ever seen in my life; however, I have a feeling I will be saying that a lot during this trip. This statue of Christ stands on a 20 foot platform and then is 100 feet tall after that. Christ the redeemer is amazingly huge and quite remarkable to be in the presence of.
After this we went to a few other places such as the botanical gardens, waterfalls in the rainforest and a gazebo that overlooked so much in the city it was a place where the chineese were originally supposed to plant and grow tea. We stopped our jeep tour at the botanical gardens and then were able to tour the city at a slower pace which was by bike. We rode about 10 miles to our hotel riding along the beach for a large portion of the time. We finally got to our hotel and were all so exhausted but instead of sleeping…..because you don’t sleep while at port while on semester at sea….we showered and got ready quickly and walked over to the other hotel to meet up with friends for dinner.
When we got to the golden tulip hotel we broke off and went separate direction with most of us going to a Brazilian steak house. Now I know I talk about food a lot but…. I need to emphasize how good this food really is. Man you must go here! You get all you can eat food anything your heart desires. They come around to your tables and carve meet from a spear right on to your plate. Now in Brazil they don’t serve you any old meat - these cows are massaged every day to make sure that it is the best you can have. So basically we stayed here for a long time eating anything we could get our hands on. We tried weird foods such as chicken hearts, ostrige, heart of palm, and ewww anchovies. Oh and did I mention there was all you could eat sushi as well. Everything was so good and this was the best food I have ever had!
Once we reached rio we were informed that we would not be staying at the same hotel as the other groups but it would be okay we would still have fun. So we changed in the airport and made our way on to a tour bus where we were driven to breakfast on the beach. Along the way Patricia told us all about the city!
Now when I originally thought of Rio I thought it was not going to be that nice I mean it is the second most dangerous city in the world and I was a little scared but while driving around at was absolutely beautiful!!!!!! They told us there was nothing to be afraid of but just to not walk on the beach side at night!
After breakfast by the beach we walked around the corner to where we were to meet jeeps (which looked like converted pickups) to tour the city! The jeep I was in had a tour guide with the softest voice I have ever heard, so I sat right next to her to make sure I would be able to learn something about the city. We went through a few of the districts of Rio starting in Cococabana where our hotel was to be. Cococabana is the safest of all the places with rio it is the most touristy and not as much affordable to live in however there were some places, such as in the favelas. A favela is essentially a slum. It is government property that people do not have to pay taxes on however these places are not the most desirable to live in. There is a lot of killings, crime and drugs within the favelas. It was even stated that the favelas use different color roofs to determine which kind of drugs each place sells which is quite inventive but not a place you want to go in to…so we looked from afar.
While on the jeeps we took a look at the town and scenery and proceeded first to Cocovado or Christ the redeemer. This is one place every one should go in their life. Not only is the statue amazing in itself but the view around is remarkable. Rio is an urban jungle meaning that it has extensive city though out the rainforest and from Cocovado you can see everything. This is the most amazing view I have ever seen in my life; however, I have a feeling I will be saying that a lot during this trip. This statue of Christ stands on a 20 foot platform and then is 100 feet tall after that. Christ the redeemer is amazingly huge and quite remarkable to be in the presence of.
After this we went to a few other places such as the botanical gardens, waterfalls in the rainforest and a gazebo that overlooked so much in the city it was a place where the chineese were originally supposed to plant and grow tea. We stopped our jeep tour at the botanical gardens and then were able to tour the city at a slower pace which was by bike. We rode about 10 miles to our hotel riding along the beach for a large portion of the time. We finally got to our hotel and were all so exhausted but instead of sleeping…..because you don’t sleep while at port while on semester at sea….we showered and got ready quickly and walked over to the other hotel to meet up with friends for dinner.
When we got to the golden tulip hotel we broke off and went separate direction with most of us going to a Brazilian steak house. Now I know I talk about food a lot but…. I need to emphasize how good this food really is. Man you must go here! You get all you can eat food anything your heart desires. They come around to your tables and carve meet from a spear right on to your plate. Now in Brazil they don’t serve you any old meat - these cows are massaged every day to make sure that it is the best you can have. So basically we stayed here for a long time eating anything we could get our hands on. We tried weird foods such as chicken hearts, ostrige, heart of palm, and ewww anchovies. Oh and did I mention there was all you could eat sushi as well. Everything was so good and this was the best food I have ever had!
Brazil – Day 2 – Manaus
Now let me just tell you my camera broke in Dominica! Very sad I know! Now let me also tell you we only have 2 hours to get a new camera in Manaus! Oh yeah one more fact I don’t speak Portuguese and my Spanish barely exceeds the word “Hola!” So we make our way through the port exit up the ramp and on to the streets of Manaus!
Stephanie: "I feel like everyone is staring at us"
Me: "That’s because everyone is staring at us"
When you’re the only natural blonds walking down the street in Brazil you tend to stand out! When there are 2 of you…..we’ll let’s just say you stick out. We walk through the streets of Manaus looking for any electronics store. We look like we know where we are going but really we have no clue! Finaly we see a shop for cell phones so we head there they have nothing but I say espanol o ingles? And say comprar (to buy) and then make motion as if I was taking a picture. She points me in the right direction and we see a big department store called C&A walk in and we see a little stand for cameras they have about 5 different kinds and they are way to overpriced but heck I needed a camera! So I make my way over to the woman who is guarding the case and tell her I want to buy the Sony one……in so many words. Now this is the funniest thing I have ever gone through not only was I laughing but Steph and the 4 other C&A employees that eventually came over to help in the attempt to have a conversation with using both our second languages. Well any way Carlos finally steps up and becomes the assertive one being the most helpful. We went through a bunch of other parts of the conversation apparently I asked what time it was at one point and there was another point where we were trying to talk about the trip. Something I am learning as this trip goes on is that it’s not as much about what you see but about the people you meet and converse with (or at least attempt to).
Any way we got my camera and made our way back to the ship as we had to eat and pack and hop on a bus so we could get on a plane and fly to RIO!!!!!!
Stephanie: "I feel like everyone is staring at us"
Me: "That’s because everyone is staring at us"
When you’re the only natural blonds walking down the street in Brazil you tend to stand out! When there are 2 of you…..we’ll let’s just say you stick out. We walk through the streets of Manaus looking for any electronics store. We look like we know where we are going but really we have no clue! Finaly we see a shop for cell phones so we head there they have nothing but I say espanol o ingles? And say comprar (to buy) and then make motion as if I was taking a picture. She points me in the right direction and we see a big department store called C&A walk in and we see a little stand for cameras they have about 5 different kinds and they are way to overpriced but heck I needed a camera! So I make my way over to the woman who is guarding the case and tell her I want to buy the Sony one……in so many words. Now this is the funniest thing I have ever gone through not only was I laughing but Steph and the 4 other C&A employees that eventually came over to help in the attempt to have a conversation with using both our second languages. Well any way Carlos finally steps up and becomes the assertive one being the most helpful. We went through a bunch of other parts of the conversation apparently I asked what time it was at one point and there was another point where we were trying to talk about the trip. Something I am learning as this trip goes on is that it’s not as much about what you see but about the people you meet and converse with (or at least attempt to).
Any way we got my camera and made our way back to the ship as we had to eat and pack and hop on a bus so we could get on a plane and fly to RIO!!!!!!
Brazil - Day 2 – The Amazon
We woke up at 5:30 am. It would have been a struggle if the sun hadn’t been rising over the water in such a gorgeous fashion. We were going piranha fishing! We all got on the shallow little boat again our group diving in 2 headed out to separate locations. Now when you fish for piranha, you fish with raw meat! Which unfortunately, Stephanie and I were the lucky ones who got to sit on the bench where they cut the meat. For cleaning purposes they whipped it with a rag. Let’s just say if it was unapparent that we were not in jersey any more it was perfectly clear now! Our guides told us not to count on catching anything because it didn’t always happen. No way not this time! We were all determined. So you put this meat on your line, which is a piece of string attached to a piece bamboo, throw it in the water then hit the water a few times with your stick, making a splashing sound in order to attract the fish. Well it wasn’t long until a few of us had caught some and guess what I was one of them! Mine was a red bellied piranha, which is the most aggressive kind! In total 6 were caught and flopping around at the bottom of the boat. We went back to the river boat ate breakfast hung out for a little.
We were not told that we were allowed to go swimming. There was only one thing going through my mind and it wasn’t I have to wait a hour after eating! I had just fished for piranhas in this water, is he CRAZY!!!! However, I just thought to m self…. When will I ever do this again? And ran over to the edge doing flips off the side of the boat! It was fun and pretty warm which was not expected! But it was fun even if the “black river” did make my bathing suit into a brown one! After this we headed back to Manaus all excited from everything we just did and everything that was yet to come…RIO!!!
We were not told that we were allowed to go swimming. There was only one thing going through my mind and it wasn’t I have to wait a hour after eating! I had just fished for piranhas in this water, is he CRAZY!!!! However, I just thought to m self…. When will I ever do this again? And ran over to the edge doing flips off the side of the boat! It was fun and pretty warm which was not expected! But it was fun even if the “black river” did make my bathing suit into a brown one! After this we headed back to Manaus all excited from everything we just did and everything that was yet to come…RIO!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Brazil - Day 1– The Amazon
How can I put Brazil into words! Amazing! This is one of the most amazing places I have ever been and also one of the most diverse. You can see everything here from city to rainforest to urban jungle.
The first day in Brazil we were docked in Manaus and got right off the boat and on to another. I was on boat number 2 with our guides Eddie and .....g (something). For the life i me i was not able to understand him when he said his name, but he was awesome. So after we stuffed our faces on the MV explorer in fear of not eating anything good that day we were immediately given breakfast.... And I am sorry mom, I don't know how they make that food but it was the most amazing food ever. We were given eggs, bread, fruit, chocolate bread, and plantains with cinnamon sugar on them. Any way it was delicious. If anyone gets a chance to have Brazilian fruit go for it. It is fantastic especially the guava and pineapple.
Any way continuing on from the food which if you know me was obviously my biggest concern; we went down the Rio Negro, the black river which is LEGIT BLACK. It is black from all the organic mineral deposits that sit in it. We only went down so far so that we could see where the two rivers meet. This should be one of the 7 wonders of the world. You can clearly see a distinct line were the two rivers meet yet do not mix! They won't mix because of the ph levels, density, temperature, velocity of the rivers.
Next we traveled back up stream and down a smaller part of the river were we passed floating villages. The villages are floating because of the rainy season the river will rise so high that any houses on the lower land will flood, another way the accommodate to these flooding are to build houses on stilts.
As we traveled up the stream the river got smaller and we were able to see some more wild life such as the great white crane and some river dolphins. We docked at a small port ate lunch on the boat quickly. Our lunch consisted of fruit, as always, fish stews, fried fish, salad dishes, rice and pasta. We got off the boat and went on to a local market that was clearly put there for tourists to shop around a little and then made our way up to the Lilly pads. Now these lilly pads were massive! They were a little bigger than a typical round cafe table and most had budding flowers on them. Some of the caiman were resting on them. We looked around on what could be called a risen dock. On the way back to the boat I held back a little with one of our tour guides Eddie and I was lucky I did. Eddie pointed out to me a sloth in the tree and a pair of monkeys jumping from tree to tree. I was one of the lucky ones who got to see this..... I kind think everyone was a little jealous as I would be if the tables were turned.
We then got back on the boat and traveled 5 miles up the river to the spot where we would be staying and anchoring. The first thing we did while on our journey up river was to set up our hammocks which would be our beds for the night. We were to sleep as the locals would if they were traveling. Some people napped on the boat because we were on the river so long and slow trip up the black river while I just laid out on the back of the boat soaking up the hot Brazilian, equator sun. The sun here is amongst the hottest most dangerous sun in the world, so we made sure to lather up in sun screen.....and bug spray as malaria is very prevalent here. We have also learned at this point that the malaria medication does not protect us against malaria but just makes it a more treatable form. It is just an antibiotic, it makes it so that the malaria cannot get to your liver, hide out and eventually kill you.
On the journey up it was not all just talk and sleep. The guides, nurse and some other staff of our small river boat taught us how to Fuha dance. Oh what I gathered the Fuha is much like salsa but a little crazier and a little less structured, it's a blast. We all took turns as the Brazilian music played we grabbed the hands of the staff and just started dancing! I think the other 2 boats riding along us were a little jealous as we were dancing at the tip of the boat as we road into the sunset. Now a little off topic let me add in that the sunsets in Brazil are among the most amazing in the world. I thought these colors that the sky radiated were only possible in a painting. The clouds come and go so swiftly through the setting sky it is a sight only thought to happen in a dream.
After the long journey up stream we finally anchored. We got prepared, put on bug spray and long sleeves so that we would not get a million bug bites and went on to yet another boat to go caiman hunting. Now you can only hunt caimans in the dark because their eyes will glow red so when you flash a light on them you can see them with ease. However, it is a little nerve racking being on a shallow boat so close to the water when you know there are caiman and piranhas in the surrounding water and you can hardly see the person sitting next to you. Suddenly our guide spots one! We move toward it slowing the engine eventually turning it off and without so much as a splash our guide grabbed one out of the water I didn’t even know he saw one. He was holding it showing us all fun little things about it. He then asked who wanted to hold it and the three girls in the back of the boat raised their hands, of course myself, Stephanie and Katie. None of the boys would untill we went back to the big boat and the lights were on. I cannot lie -- I held it a few more times when we were on the lit boat again…… I mean who wouldn’t it was soooo cool!!!!! This was such an awesome experience that I would have been disappointed leaving with out. (THANK YOU MOM) I was the first to hold it and the one who put it back in the water. I’ve recently been thinking about going into the caimans business!!!!!!
We ate dinner, than hung out for a little, than made our way to our hammocks where me and Stephanie laughed historically with our new friend Jared. None of us could figure out the proper way to sleep in the hammock even after being taught by the guides. We listened to a few stories of friends around the boat....mostly Becca's car accidents which are hilarious. Then finally went to bed waking up multiple times from people snoring on the boat. Haha
Over all the first day was a success! There will be more to come, brace yourself and look back soon for more!
The first day in Brazil we were docked in Manaus and got right off the boat and on to another. I was on boat number 2 with our guides Eddie and .....g (something). For the life i me i was not able to understand him when he said his name, but he was awesome. So after we stuffed our faces on the MV explorer in fear of not eating anything good that day we were immediately given breakfast.... And I am sorry mom, I don't know how they make that food but it was the most amazing food ever. We were given eggs, bread, fruit, chocolate bread, and plantains with cinnamon sugar on them. Any way it was delicious. If anyone gets a chance to have Brazilian fruit go for it. It is fantastic especially the guava and pineapple.
Any way continuing on from the food which if you know me was obviously my biggest concern; we went down the Rio Negro, the black river which is LEGIT BLACK. It is black from all the organic mineral deposits that sit in it. We only went down so far so that we could see where the two rivers meet. This should be one of the 7 wonders of the world. You can clearly see a distinct line were the two rivers meet yet do not mix! They won't mix because of the ph levels, density, temperature, velocity of the rivers.
Next we traveled back up stream and down a smaller part of the river were we passed floating villages. The villages are floating because of the rainy season the river will rise so high that any houses on the lower land will flood, another way the accommodate to these flooding are to build houses on stilts.
As we traveled up the stream the river got smaller and we were able to see some more wild life such as the great white crane and some river dolphins. We docked at a small port ate lunch on the boat quickly. Our lunch consisted of fruit, as always, fish stews, fried fish, salad dishes, rice and pasta. We got off the boat and went on to a local market that was clearly put there for tourists to shop around a little and then made our way up to the Lilly pads. Now these lilly pads were massive! They were a little bigger than a typical round cafe table and most had budding flowers on them. Some of the caiman were resting on them. We looked around on what could be called a risen dock. On the way back to the boat I held back a little with one of our tour guides Eddie and I was lucky I did. Eddie pointed out to me a sloth in the tree and a pair of monkeys jumping from tree to tree. I was one of the lucky ones who got to see this..... I kind think everyone was a little jealous as I would be if the tables were turned.
We then got back on the boat and traveled 5 miles up the river to the spot where we would be staying and anchoring. The first thing we did while on our journey up river was to set up our hammocks which would be our beds for the night. We were to sleep as the locals would if they were traveling. Some people napped on the boat because we were on the river so long and slow trip up the black river while I just laid out on the back of the boat soaking up the hot Brazilian, equator sun. The sun here is amongst the hottest most dangerous sun in the world, so we made sure to lather up in sun screen.....and bug spray as malaria is very prevalent here. We have also learned at this point that the malaria medication does not protect us against malaria but just makes it a more treatable form. It is just an antibiotic, it makes it so that the malaria cannot get to your liver, hide out and eventually kill you.
On the journey up it was not all just talk and sleep. The guides, nurse and some other staff of our small river boat taught us how to Fuha dance. Oh what I gathered the Fuha is much like salsa but a little crazier and a little less structured, it's a blast. We all took turns as the Brazilian music played we grabbed the hands of the staff and just started dancing! I think the other 2 boats riding along us were a little jealous as we were dancing at the tip of the boat as we road into the sunset. Now a little off topic let me add in that the sunsets in Brazil are among the most amazing in the world. I thought these colors that the sky radiated were only possible in a painting. The clouds come and go so swiftly through the setting sky it is a sight only thought to happen in a dream.
After the long journey up stream we finally anchored. We got prepared, put on bug spray and long sleeves so that we would not get a million bug bites and went on to yet another boat to go caiman hunting. Now you can only hunt caimans in the dark because their eyes will glow red so when you flash a light on them you can see them with ease. However, it is a little nerve racking being on a shallow boat so close to the water when you know there are caiman and piranhas in the surrounding water and you can hardly see the person sitting next to you. Suddenly our guide spots one! We move toward it slowing the engine eventually turning it off and without so much as a splash our guide grabbed one out of the water I didn’t even know he saw one. He was holding it showing us all fun little things about it. He then asked who wanted to hold it and the three girls in the back of the boat raised their hands, of course myself, Stephanie and Katie. None of the boys would untill we went back to the big boat and the lights were on. I cannot lie -- I held it a few more times when we were on the lit boat again…… I mean who wouldn’t it was soooo cool!!!!! This was such an awesome experience that I would have been disappointed leaving with out. (THANK YOU MOM) I was the first to hold it and the one who put it back in the water. I’ve recently been thinking about going into the caimans business!!!!!!
We ate dinner, than hung out for a little, than made our way to our hammocks where me and Stephanie laughed historically with our new friend Jared. None of us could figure out the proper way to sleep in the hammock even after being taught by the guides. We listened to a few stories of friends around the boat....mostly Becca's car accidents which are hilarious. Then finally went to bed waking up multiple times from people snoring on the boat. Haha
Over all the first day was a success! There will be more to come, brace yourself and look back soon for more!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
www.empowernepalgirls.org
Knowing there is something unjust happening out in the world and you haven’t done anything about it is a horrible feeling. Sometimes one can suppress these horrid feelings for some time but when it is brought to your attention so abruptly it really resonates inside. I know I will soon learn about what I am going to tell you first hand but even learning about it in our global studies was hard enough.
In my global studies class ( the biggest class i have ever had -- 300 students and 40 Life Long Learners) one of the professors came in to talk to us. He had the hardest story I have ever heard. It literally brought me and so many others to tears. The story we heard of is how this man was in Nepal. He went to explore the country and try and learn why the mortality rate in women was so much lower than men. Well he never knew it would turn into a lifelong mission. He went to a school to see the children and girls and how they were treated. When he was at this school he was talking to the principle and the principle said see that girl, and pointing to a girl of only 12, he said that is Enu and she will disappear next. This man, professor Kottler, asked what do you mean? The principle replied her dad is a drunk and left her family with nothing. She has 4 other brothers and sisters and their family cannot afford to send them all to school. Enu will be sold after this year. This 12 year old little girl will be sold into sex slavery. She will be sold to a brothel where she will be raped 15-20 times .......the first DAY! She is only 12, 12 years old!!!! So Professor Kottler said what can we do, we need to help her. The principle said it’s too much money. And Klottler said how much? The principle replied roughly 2500 rupees. Do you know how much money that is? Roughly 50 dollars! 50 dollars to save a child’s life!!!! Only 50 dollars a year and she will remain in school she will remain safe! Well Kottler reached into his pocket and did what any decent human being would do, he counted out 2500 rupees and handed it over to the principle. The principle took the money and said Enu stays in school!! The principle put the money in his pocket and Kottler walked away sobbing! The medical assistant on Kottlers team them told him that the principle had NO!!! ZERO!!!! Intention on keeping Enu in school, he would take the money and keep it for himself. This happens every day it’s normal to them! So now Kottler must tell the principle that he will be back to check on her in a year and then the next year and then the next and next continuing until she graduates. Now let me tell you it took him a week to travel to this village and now he has to do this every single year for the rest of his life. That was the beginning. Enu now has a full scholarship to the best University in Thai land. Now Kottler has formed an organization that is supporting 145 girls. He makes absolutely NO money from this and he has no office and he runs this company off of his dining room table with his wife and takes some students with him each year. He does this all out of the kindness and generosity of his heart.
After this class every one either left in silence or ran to professor Kottler to grab anything they could so they could know more about all this. Steph and I went and got the email address went back to our room. We both looked at each other and knew what the other was thinking. We both said we need to do something, we need to be a change in this world. We can make a difference! Sometime we all feel helpless but we must overcome that because we are all in the world together!!
I couldn’t help to think i could save child’s life on less than I spend on a pair of running shoes. I know no one deserves that. There has to be something out there that I can do to help! Something that we can all do to help! Well this all brought me to tears and i have trouble writing it to you all right now. If you want to know more about this please go to www.empowernepalgirls.org . this website explains what I cant please take a moment out of your day and take a look!
In my global studies class ( the biggest class i have ever had -- 300 students and 40 Life Long Learners) one of the professors came in to talk to us. He had the hardest story I have ever heard. It literally brought me and so many others to tears. The story we heard of is how this man was in Nepal. He went to explore the country and try and learn why the mortality rate in women was so much lower than men. Well he never knew it would turn into a lifelong mission. He went to a school to see the children and girls and how they were treated. When he was at this school he was talking to the principle and the principle said see that girl, and pointing to a girl of only 12, he said that is Enu and she will disappear next. This man, professor Kottler, asked what do you mean? The principle replied her dad is a drunk and left her family with nothing. She has 4 other brothers and sisters and their family cannot afford to send them all to school. Enu will be sold after this year. This 12 year old little girl will be sold into sex slavery. She will be sold to a brothel where she will be raped 15-20 times .......the first DAY! She is only 12, 12 years old!!!! So Professor Kottler said what can we do, we need to help her. The principle said it’s too much money. And Klottler said how much? The principle replied roughly 2500 rupees. Do you know how much money that is? Roughly 50 dollars! 50 dollars to save a child’s life!!!! Only 50 dollars a year and she will remain in school she will remain safe! Well Kottler reached into his pocket and did what any decent human being would do, he counted out 2500 rupees and handed it over to the principle. The principle took the money and said Enu stays in school!! The principle put the money in his pocket and Kottler walked away sobbing! The medical assistant on Kottlers team them told him that the principle had NO!!! ZERO!!!! Intention on keeping Enu in school, he would take the money and keep it for himself. This happens every day it’s normal to them! So now Kottler must tell the principle that he will be back to check on her in a year and then the next year and then the next and next continuing until she graduates. Now let me tell you it took him a week to travel to this village and now he has to do this every single year for the rest of his life. That was the beginning. Enu now has a full scholarship to the best University in Thai land. Now Kottler has formed an organization that is supporting 145 girls. He makes absolutely NO money from this and he has no office and he runs this company off of his dining room table with his wife and takes some students with him each year. He does this all out of the kindness and generosity of his heart.
After this class every one either left in silence or ran to professor Kottler to grab anything they could so they could know more about all this. Steph and I went and got the email address went back to our room. We both looked at each other and knew what the other was thinking. We both said we need to do something, we need to be a change in this world. We can make a difference! Sometime we all feel helpless but we must overcome that because we are all in the world together!!
I couldn’t help to think i could save child’s life on less than I spend on a pair of running shoes. I know no one deserves that. There has to be something out there that I can do to help! Something that we can all do to help! Well this all brought me to tears and i have trouble writing it to you all right now. If you want to know more about this please go to www.empowernepalgirls.org . this website explains what I cant please take a moment out of your day and take a look!
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