Back in Rio

I recently returned to Rio de Janeiro for the third time in just over two years. Each year in october I have been making this trip for a much needed meeting with family. Rio really is a wonderful city, the sun shining, long white sandy beaches filled with bronzed people, the pavements of black and white tiles have the appearence of waves and are walked or ran day and night by those in search of the perfect body. Buildings surround the beaches both old and new, a real mixture of architectural styles. At one end of Rio a large lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas) where people sail, at the other end the Sambodrome, home of Samba music and Carnaval, and in the north the Maracana Stadium, home of Brazilian football. Sticking out in the water and overlooking Botofogo bay is Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar), two giant rocks, the largest being 396 metres tall, both of which are connected by cables that transport cable cars filled with tourists. The city is nestled into hills filled with slums, houses built on top of houses in a very precarious manner, dirt tracks and steep steps the only access. These hills are green forming the urban forest of Rio (Floresta da Tijuca), the largest urban forest in the world, it was replanted by six slaves in 1861 after the original forest was destroyed to make way for coffee plantations. The forest is immense and in the middle of it all, on top of the highest hill, there he stands, head bowed looking down over the city, arms wide open, Christ the Reedemer.

Coming Home

I have made the decision to return to England, actually I made the decision in May but I guess it is only now sinking in that I will be leaving. I will be leaving in July/August of next year, 2010, after spending 3 years here in Brazil. When I first made the decision I was worried I had made a mistake, I enjoy my life here, experiencing a different culture and language, work is such a pleasure and I have learnt so much, I really will be leaving a different person. I thought I had made the wrong decision but now 5 months on I know I have not.

My brother has just been to visit, and him being here once again reminded me how much I miss my family and friends. I spend 11 long months here, if I am lucky I receive 1 or 2 guests a year but it is not possible for everybody to make the trip. I can count on my two hands how many days I have spent with my sister and best friend in the last 2 years. It is time to go home, at least for a while, to spend time with the people who are very important in my life, I have learnt this in my 2 years here.

I have made the right decision, but boarding the plane to Rio to spend some much needed holiday with my brother, I could not help but wonder how I will feel when I board that last plane home.

Not sad, just lonely

We all have our own limit and I think I have reached mine. It has been 8 long months without stepping foot on English soil and 5 months without any physical contact with family and friends. My companion here in Brazil is my little Brazilian dog, who has been with me almost from day one. He is not a person, just a rather odd, 4-legged ball of fluff, but without a doubt he keeps me sane, he gets me through the year. Preparing for a meeting with my brother in Rio I sent the ball of fluff to the kennels, it was only as I re-entered a rather empty flat that I realised how important my companion is. Without him I am not sad, just lonely.

Connected

It has been a long time since I last put a post on my blog, actually the last time was 9 months ago and I was in England. Since I got back to Brazil in February access to the internet has not been easy, an internet cafe was my only option until now. I finally have internet at home, I am connected once again! It has come at the right time as after 8 months of not being with friends and family the internet is helping me get through the next 3 months till I go home. The internet is important for most, but for those that live far away from the people close to them, it is a necessity.