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Oí todos! Whilst writing this second blog post, I have officially finished my exchange semester with PUC-Rio! I cannot believe it, I will miss the routine of seeing everyone in between classes and the amazing coffee for £1.80!
Since the last blog post, I have travelled to Ouro Preto and São Paulo, thought I had dengue in São Paulo and had to get blood work done (I'm okay now, my test was negative but I still think it was mosquito related) and attended a 'baile funk' in Rocinha, the biggest favela in Brazil.
I'll start with the baile- oh, my, god. What an experience. I still stand by what I say in terms of gringos entering favelas, especially a baile where it's a space created for the residents to congregate together, but I would rather people go to local events in the favela instead of doing tours which is unacceptable. Of course, favelas outside the touristy areas of RDJ (Zona Sul) are not accesible, by no means.
My trip to Ouro Preto was lovely, it was a solo trip and although it was pouring with rain, the view from my Airbnb was gorgeous and I didn't mind staying in. São Paulo was a different story, I was incredibly ill and only saw a little bit of the city but I did have a banging chicken soup and finally tried sushi. I know Brazil is known for fusion sushi with the largest population of Japanese people outside Japan being on Brazil. However, the sushi? I mean, it was alright. Anyway, both trips I had the pleasure of travelling by coach so I have extensive experience in simply just not sleeping on the overnight ones.
But all in good spirits, the coach ride back from São Paulo I saw the most beautiful scenery, I honestly could have cried. My dad has just been to visit and he loved it all, we didn't do any touristy things as he, and I quote, wanted a 'local' experience. So we did just that. We had a few too many caipirinhas whilst watching the sunset at Ipanema and I showed him around my neighborhood Copacabana, even down to the grocery store.
In my time off I will be going back home for Christmas for a few days which wasn't in my plans- even when abroad unexpected things come up. But more excitingly I will be travelling to Medellín by myself for 9 days and I am so excited I could cry. If 16-year-old me knew she was going to Colombia and was going to use her Spanish to get around I think she would laugh in your face.
Anyway, enjoy the pictures I have attached, some random ones of daily life in Rio and thank you for reading!! Tchau :)
