Laura’s Second Blog
Blog 2:
This week has flown by.
On Wednesday we went out for an early breakfast in Copacabana with Kevin. Who I think loved the change to get out for the day. After Breakfast we met up with Beth and went on to the Native Indian Museum.It was only a very small museum but it still held some beautiful native artworks and tools. I must admit we did cause a little bit of trouble as Kevin kept grabbing all the pieces of art. Before returning back for our evening class we went to a huge shopping Mall for lunch with Beth’s daughter Bea. We ended our afternoon with a great shop around the Mall (Which Beth says is very easy too). Although a lot of that time was spent in the music store. We did however have a slight panic when we managed too lose Kevin.
Hang Gliding:
We finally went Hang gliding the other Friday. I wasn’t thinking of doing the jump until I got there. (Good job I had just gotten some money out before we went!!!!) I must admit I am not very good with heights, but Joe and Beth managed to talk me into flying. I thank you both very much because it was fantastic! We started our flights with a rather fun buggy ride up a very steep hill called `Pedra Bonita` and the view from there was amazing. After a little wait Joe set off, and I followed shortly behind. Both landing not long after one another on `Sao Conrado` beach. The flight was amazing and so peaceful, even running of the edge off the cliff wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. Although Beth and I thought the cute flight instructors helped a bit!!!
Joe has already gone and left for the North!!!! But it will not be long before he is back. Good Luck Joe,( if you manage to see the blog). You must keep writing, and do please take lots and lots of pictures. I hope the Bus journey isn’t too bad! And you are very good with your Portuguese so I bet you will do absolutely fine.
A few Pictures for one and all:
April 18th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Hey Laura!
Thanks for keeping our blog hunger satisfied while Joe is off in the North East
Glad to hear that Kevin is still gracing you with his presence on outings in Rio. Although it sounds like the Native Indian Museum will have been pleased to see the back of him!
Well done for braving the hand gliding leap! It must’ve been an incredible experience. It sounds as though the incessant salesmanship of the (cute) instructors that became slightly annoying to Joe, was not an issue for you… I can’t think why!
I must also take this chance to applaud you on your superb photography over the past few months. The facebook albums have been great for seeing what you guys have been up to (often before its even published on the blog!).
I hope you will be continuing the Frisbee classes in Joe’s absence?!
Hope you continue to have a great time!
All the best,
John
April 18th, 2009 at 02:37 pm
FANTASTIC
What more can anyone say. It’s great to hear all about your adventures. The hang gliding looks incredible but despite all your descriptions or perhaps because of them there is no way you would ever get me up to the platform.
The photos are fab try to get more on facebook to keep us all in the picture (doooooh).
i trust Joe has a good trip to the North of the country try to get some of his tales and pics on facebook as well. it would be great to see the different countryside and cultures
take care all of you
and lots of love to you Laura
Dad
April 18th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Well done Laura absolutely brilliant blog and I am so glad you and Beth had similar ‘instructor thoughts’ to myself! You do realise..that you have just done the best bit of promotion work possible for Volunteer In Brazil..by those photos..as I guess Joe Howson’s phone and e-mail will be blocked now, by ‘tons of ‘willing’ and of course very able ‘female’ volunteers’!!! We are now waiting for the pic of Beth or Bea in the sky….to complete the ‘terrific trio’?! Were there any female instructors? Only I heard today that Johninho and Jake are queing at the Passport Office?!!
Please blog again very very soon?!
Love Rose
April 19th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi Laura,
Fantastic - great that Beth & Joe talked you into hanging around in the sky and even greater that you put your fear of heights on hold to experience and see what must have been a wonderful panorama of Rio. I have spoken to Joe in Cristino and he is doing fine. The journey went well, he arrived in Cristino at 6:30am the day after he left Rio which was really good going. By lunch time of his first day he was out vising schools in the bush. Totinha (our coordinator in Cristino Castro) is really happy to have Joe staying with her and Miguel (Coordinator of the Development for All Programme) has already got Joe planting fruit trees at the Boa Esperance project.
Keep up the blog Laura and have a wonderful time in Vitoria
Kind regards,
Joe
April 19th, 2009 at 03:27 pm
Hi Laura!
Brilliant blog once again, keep it up! Do you have to take over all the teaching now that Joe’s away? I’m sure you’ll be fine! Are you dreaming in Portuguese yet?
Jake
P.S. Me and John have just booked flights.
April 21st, 2009 at 09:53 pm
Hey guys!
Great blog Laura! I want more…what’s going on, what have I been missing?? There’s a gap in the market on Rio blogs! It’s rather fun being a commenter for a change!
Just got a brief time of Internet access here so without rambling, just want to let you know I’m safe and well, and having a great experience. In general, the people are incredibly friendly, the food’s good, and I’m enjoying the challenge of language and the oppurtunity to see a culture that is almost as different from Rio as it is from Preston. Though of course, I’m missing everyone in both those places!
Journey was a success in the end…although I almost missed my stop in Christino as it came up two and a half hours earlier than orignally stated. And also…no kidding, I actually MET Lenine (and spoke to him in Portuguese no less) whilst waiting for my flight from Rio to Brasilia (he was waiting to go to Recife). I have a picture to prove it that I will post later (the connection is slow here)! I told Beth on the phone but I don’t think she believes me. Now…I’m just concentrating on getting stuck into things here now…I’ve already been visiting schools, meeting everyone in the town, and, yes - taking lots of photos! And…I will do a gigantic blog on my return to England, though hopefully I’ll have another chance for an update before then.
Tchau for now, love you all! And Boa Sorte with the rest of your work in Rio Laura - I’m looking forward to seeing you and Beth again on my journey back!
Joe
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 am
Hello One and all,
Thank you for all your comments. I thought I would answer some of the questions whilst I have a chance. Seeing as all the computers at the convent are not working. As soon as I can I will do another Blog.
As for the frisbee, I did try, and I must admitt I didn´t do too badly. But I am nowhere near the sort off standard that Joe and you (John) are at to be able too teach. But as I tried the frisbee, I will get Joe too try out riding one of our horses at home!!! That will be fun!!!LOL!!
I don´t think we will be getting Bea and Beth in the air any time soon. And sadly for Joe their were no female instructors, But I think he still enjoyed himself.
I am currently doing all of the teaching, but as it is a holiday this week I haven´t been doing much in the classroom. As for my Portuguese it is not great. But I do manage ok, yes sometimes with the help of Beth, Bea or Joe.
Joe you will have to start sending some pictures, I want to see some!!! I am glad all is going well Joe and that you are safe!! Did you really meet Lenine!!!! We will have to have proof!!
I will write again soon
Love to all at home
Laura xxx