Category: Tour

Foz Iguazu

Brazil, Bus trip, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Places, Tour, Waterfalls

After spending almost 90 hours in a bus throughout January and now getting the opportunity to spend another 30 hours seemed easy. Our district was invited to be a part of the meeting with John F. Germ also known as the Rotarian international president this year. The meet invited over 8 different districts but we were the only one’s to bring INBOUNDERS. The meeting took place in the town of Falls Iguazu which was named after the famous waterfalls that cross Argentina, Paraguay, and Brasil. Foz Iguazu is 13 hours from my district so we drove all night. Arriving so early in the morning we spent our spare time getting drenched by the waterfalls.

After 2 hours at the falls, we gathered for lunch and then headed to the big conference with the International President. Our director reserved seats for us to sit right in the front row so our blazers would stand out to the staff. Meeting some of the staff gave them the idea to allow me and the two other girls from the US to sing the nation anthem to welcome President. My heart just about dropped when they asked us to sing without background music to follow along to. To be honest, I have never sung the whole anthem let alone now I have to do it in front of over 200 people I got a little nervous. But then I started thinking to myself I will never see these people again so what do I have to loose.

Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai

Brazil, Carnaval, Cool People, Exchange Students, Friends, Places, RIO, Tour, Travel

Our first day in Rio de Janiero! We visited Sambadrome Marques de Sapucai (the famous main street) where it all goes down the real deal. The big parade that last 5 long days of all kinds of different floats and people all dressed up. We were even lucky enough to get to try on all the traditional Brazilian costumes… Of course, we look like models, but in reality, we struggled to keep those big headsets up and to carry those big shoulders sets. They were just getting started decorating for Carnaval coming up at the end of this month and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when its all done. I wish I could make it, but I’ll just have to come back again in the future!

Paradise – Paraiso Bahiano

Beach, Brazil, Cool People, Family, Friends, Places, Stories, Tour, Travel

Itacare has the most amazing beach on our trip!  Along with the crystal blue water, very green hills, bright red and pink flowers and huge palm trees, we scored with a spot with lounge chairs and shade made from leaves threaded together at Paraiso Bahiano.

That day there was not a cloud in the sky.  The sun shined all day long and kept heating up the sand causing us to sprint on our tippy toes just to get to the ocean. The boys attempted at making a sandcastle, but it was washed away by the high tide. Meanwhile, all the girls walked down the beach to have a photoshoot. If you stand in the right spot you could see hot rocks, crashing waves, the sky, and the palm trees all in one picture. This place had everything, I am coming back again soon!

Make a Wish!

Chruch, Cool People, Exchange Students, Family, Places, Salvador, Tour, Travel, Uncategorized

In Salvador, they are famous for sharing good vibes. This town reminded me of my neighborhood back in the US… every building is a different color. Salvador has a lot to offer, one day we spent getting a city tour about all the history and the next day we were riding a boat out to an island. Salvador is full of very friendly locals. With every purchase, you get a bracelet to tie around your wrist for someone, you are traveling with.

There’s is a place in this city that is covering in these bracelets and it’s on a fence right in front of a Catholic church. There they sell these bracelets in a bunches of 10-20  for very cheap.  The idea is that you purchase enough bracelets to add a few to the fence and share amongst your friends. These bracelets aren’t anything high quality, but they all have personal meaning. You cannot tie the bracelet on yourself.  A friend ties the bracelet on your wrist and with each knot, you make 3 wishes.  When the bracelet eventually falls off those wishes come true!!

Buggy Rides

Brazil, Cool People, Exchange Students, Exchange year, Sandunes, Tour, Travel

Day 3 of my Northeast trip we went jeeping in the sand dunes. We started our month off at the highest point in Brazil also known as Jericoacoara! I’ve never been jeeping in the sand dunes before and today I experienced it with people from all over the world.

Buggies

This past month I traveled along the coast with 56 different exchange students from three different districts. The moment we realized we would be traveling together, we started to get to know each other. I remember that first morning at the airport around 6:15 am like it was yesterday. This month I traveled to 8 different cities and probably 14 different beaches. Out of all those places, my top 5 favorites are Jericoacoara, Pipa, Recife, Salvador, and Itacare.

This month I traveled to 8 different cities and probably 14 different beaches. My top 5 favorites,  Jericoacoara, Pipa, Recife, Salvador, and Itacare.

Jericoacoara is literally a town built in the sand dunes. We spent 3 days in this up and coming beach community. Many visitors and a lot of new construction. Beautiful modern hotels are being built with views of the beach, forest, and desert all from one location.

The locals were very nice and the food was delicious. A little on the expensive side, but it’s understandable because we were out in the middle of nowhere.

I enjoyed the place we stayed at. It felt like a huge housing complex with a bunch of rooms surrounding by hammocks hung up by a pool and a lounging area for card games or just talking.

We filled one entire side of the hotel so it was like we were the only ones there.  There I roomed with 4 other girls, we had the biggest room out of the whole place.

Jeeping was my favorite thing to do in Jericoacoara because it was new and exciting and a fun get away from any service and society.

Botanic Gardens

Brazil, City, Cool People, Garden, Tour

Today was my first time visiting a touristic attraction in Curitiba. When you look Curitiba up on the internet this garden is the first image that pops up… This garden is also basically like a public park. A lot of people were there today for all sorts of different reasons, some working out, others spending time with their families, walking their dogs, playing Pokemon Go (the new game app), and couples on a date. What a great spot for someone like me to just stand back and people watch. My host sister let me embrace my inner tourist side and took those cheesy photos infant of the greenhouse and skyline. They call me “a small town girl living in a big city.”

My sister brought cookies, cereal bars and water so we sat in the middle of everything to have a little picnic and people watch. Today was the first day the sun was out and it was sort of warm so we took the advantage to tour the city. This cities population is close to 2 million people so taking the public transportation is way different. You have to pay to get on, the bus stops are like see through tubes and their busses have three different connected together. These busses get their own street in the middle so they don’t crowd the main streets and the flow of traffic between all the other cars. The sidewalks are uneven so it’s painful to walk everywhere and only some people are brave enough to ride their bikes. The City is a great place to people watch and observe through a tourist and local!