Let me fill everyone in on the month of February.
Language. My routine with school continues, and I am beginning to miss fewer words at the dinner table. Most people here are to work with you if you are willing to try. My time here and experiences in Spanish-speaking countries have taught me that learning a foreign language is a very painful, time-consuming process that can only trudged through with a healthy sense of humor and patience. I have also learned that it is well worth it.
Culture and Carnaval. Brazil is a country rich with identity and flavor. This month was Carnaval. For one week, the whole city stops. The poor, the rich, the middle class, all forget their work, and revel in a jubilee of Samba and parades. The face of poverty and inequality is very real in Rio, but for one week, everyone forgets his/her cares and enjoys friends. Rio is alive at every hour. The neighborhoods have continual block parties led by local bands. Note to everyone reading this; I was surprised to find that Carnaval is not the debaucherous Spring Break Mardi Gras experience we have been told. My description would be one of light-hearted fun, dancing, singing, sharing time with friends. As classes were out, I spent Carnaval between the Sambadrome, Blocos(block-parties), and, weather permitting, the beach. The night of the Sambadrome, a group of classmates and I went to watch all of the different Samba Schools compete for the glory of Best Samba School. Twelve A-level schools and two B-level schools prepare dances, choreography, floats, and costumes for months all in preparation of an hour and a half parade down a stadium built specifically for the Parade. Despite heavy rain, it was a night to remember. I was sad when it ended, but alas, it was time to return to real life.
Real-life . Since the calendar and citizens of Rio divide the year into B.C. (Before Carnaval) and A.C.(After Carnaval), in some ways, I was happy to see Carnaval leave and the real Rio return. Some things that might be interesting for the reader. Rio is not a poor city. It is a city of major extremes. Barefoot boys beg on streets next to Gucci stores and secure high rises. The division of wealth, education, and opportunity is staggering.
As for violence, as you are all wondering, yes, it does exist. There are places to go and not go. There is a criminal underbelly funded by the drug trade that exists simultaneously with a healthy vibrant tourist industry. So, the criminal element. Most of the real violence you see in the movies is between highly organized gangs of one Favela(poor squatter's neighborhoods) and Police, or other rival gangs. Because of the danger of entering the Favelas, Police often go in shooting first and asking questions later. The drug lords make their money through cocaine and from what I gather, are quite wealthy, organized, and well-armed. Only problem is, most never are allowed to leave their Favela for fear of being killed. Most drug lords die young, usually in their early twenties. As for crime in the Favela, it doesn't exist, because the penalty for robbing or crime between residents is quite quite harsh. I say this all to educate, not scare. Let the reader know that not all Favelas are dangerous, and what crime that exists outside of the Favelas is largely petty theft.
Rotary. I was able to go to a meeting with one of the local clubs, where I was invited to take a visit to a community center funded by Rotary funds. The center is in, yes, you guessed it, a Favela. In March, a group of Rotarians and I will go to the center to see the educational, after school programs. I am excited to get involved. Rotary is doing a lot of community work here in health and educational programs. Last weekend, I attended the Rotary Awards dinner for the Rio de Janeiro District(4750). In addition to meeting local Rotarians and eating well, I was able to hear about all of the projects that were funded and executed by Rotarians. There are a lot of good business men and women here giving of themselves to create a better Rio.
If you have made it this far in the blog, I applaud you. I leave you with the below pictures.
