Author: Chloe Criswell

Next Flight back to Rio

hanging flags  Now that we’ve gotten back into the swing of things, with classes and studying and stress, its almost soothing (or maybe thats depression I don’t know for sure) to reminisce on the memories of Rio de Janeiro. This post circles back to my pre-departure post about the other flags seen in the airport. These flags pictured here were hanging from the ceiling at the train station at Corcovado mountain. These flags really spoke to me in a bigger way than the previous. Each flag has a different patten from the next, different colors, shapes, and story. Some share the same meaning, while others drastically different. And yet, with so much difference between them, they are all assembled beautifully together, assembled as separate entities all apart of one bigger picture. In Brazil, we experienced a culture different than our own, and that was only one country! Each flag can serve as a symbol of a different culture. This merely scratches the surface on the sheer vast amount of different cultures in this world to be experienced.  There are so many more, with differences and similarities to others at all ends of the spectrum! I think one should strive to experience all of these cultures and develop a wider global awareness.

Finally, this picture remains one of my favorites from Rio. I am not the artist behind this awesome picture, COMPLETE PHOTO CREDIT TO ASHTON. Still, this picture resonates as such a cool and modernistic representation of the city in its entirety. The text pictured here (if you can’t see because it is cut off) has a heart and then Rio, in a very simple, modern font. Very evidently so, the “R” is damaged, which i think is such a strong parallel to city. The city of Rio is largely a modernistic and evolving one. There may be its rough patches, such as poverty, crime and violence as a whole, despite that it maintains its beautiful image as “Cidade Maravilhosa”.heart rio

 

parrot sketch Finally, one of my sketches. (No judgement I’m not an architecture student) This is from the botanical gardens, a wonderful experience. This is a sketch of one of the birds i briefly saw. I had been waiting for the majority of the trip to see some beautiful birds and upon visiting the botanical gardens, I was sure I would finally find them. Upon getting there, I saw a whole lot of beautiful vegetation and structures, but not a whole lot of beautiful birds. I spent the entirety of the visit looking to the sky hoping for a glimpse of the precious *golem voice*. Finally in a split second, it was there! A beautiful green bird, conure was my assumption. I stumbled to get out my phone to take a picture, and just like that, it was gone. At first i was disappointed, but that really is the nature of birds. They are fleeting, never in one place for too long, one moment they’re there, the next they’re gone. I think that accurately portrays society, always in a state of change, never placid. One could view this as sad, as sometimes things do not return to the original state, or one could view it as beautiful, and appreciate the fleeting moments as they come.

Cristo Redentor

christ  This was taken at the Christ the Redeemer monument on Corvocado Mountain. The picture is actually Ashton’s because all of my photos were too cloudy. Upon arriving at the monument and finding out the fog was covering eighty percent of the statue, i was pretty disappointed. However, despite the lack of visibility, the visit to the statue was very moving. The size was incredible as well as the height above the ground. Looking around and down at the city (which we couldn’t see) felt like we were in some other world, above the clouds almost (the fog helped with that). It really is intriguing to me how in pretty much any part of the city of Rio de Janeiro, you can look around and somewhere, on a clear day, see the Christ the Redeemer statue.  The statue has its arms open, engulfing the city and all of its people, as if he is always watching over them. On the backside of the statue there is a small chapel actually inside the Christ the Redeemer for worship. It really illustrates the strong presence of the catholic religion in Rio de Janeiro. Even though the fog may have diminished our visibility the visit to Christ the Redeemer was an overall eye opening experience.

Second Row Spectators

IMG_3091 This is a panoramic i took at the game on Wednesday of Maracana Stadium. The stadium was absolutely massive. Seating seventy eight thousand, it almost compares to the capacity of the Ohio Stadium. The energy inside the stadium was just amazing. The match was the first phase of the Brazil Cup, between Flamengo and Brasil RS. Both teams’ colors were red and black, and as easily guessed, just about every single person was dressed accordingly. Upon finding our seats (second row!! 🙂 ) we noticed the extremely spirited and loud section of people behind and to the right of us. I like to think of this section as an equivalent of Block “O” on a game day for the buckeyes. All sporting the teams colors, waving flags, blowing horns and even complete with a band, these people were ready for the game to say the least. At first we assumed they were the home (Flamengo) teams fan section but upon hearing boo’s with the entrance of the team, quickly learned they were on the opposing side. The game had a slow start, with a score of zero-zero for the first half. Flamengo delivered in the second half, scoring two goals and winning the game. To our surprise and much astonishment, throughout the entire game, even upon their opposing team scoring (twice) the fan section for the Brasil RS consistently cheered and sung and chanted. After the game was over, the fans still cheered on their loosing team. This truly was a display of not only good sportsmanship but the importance role football plays in these peoples lives. It is part of the lifestyle, cheering on your team, win or loose, no matter the outcome. This experience was eye opening and much admired.

o-H-I-O

IMG_2896  Despite my far inferior “O” i am very excited to have taken the iconic Ohio State O-H-I-O (or should i say o-H-I-O) picture. I feel very proud to represent this university in our travels abroad to Brazil, especially with the newly opened Gateway in Sao Paolo. They say you can travel anywhere in the world and yell “OH” and hear an “IO” in return.While we didn’t yell OH into a crowd, we still are spreading the buckeye spirit to the beaches of Brazil (Ipanema beach specifically). I prefer Ipanema beach to Copacabana beach. Copacabana is a major hotspot for tourists, and while that may mean nice hotels and possible fellow english speakers, it merely scratches the surface when it comes to immersing oneself in the culture. Next door however at Ipanema however, is where many more locals can be found. The feel is much more authentic, much more “carioca” than at Copacabana. The beach goers are surfing, laying out and enjoying the heat. Plus, if you get there early enough, the vendors have yet to arrive and you can have a leisurely morning free of the constant pressures to buy “shrimp” or a beach wrap. It is interesting to see, two beaches so close in proximity, literally next to each other, with such differing dynamics.

Wavin’ Flag

flags These are some cool flags i came across while exploring the airport. ( There were more…I would have liked to capture all of them however panorama only let me get these….) I have always loved exploring the different flags from each country and what they stand for. Especially in an international airport, a central hub of transportation where people come from all over headed to various places around the world. Pictured here, sixth over from the rightmost flag, is the Brazilian flag. Headed to Rio de Janeiro, i am very excited and anticipate seeing this iconic flag all over. A flag is such a strong representation of the culture and values of a country and as we begin our journey and prepare to enter a new one, i think it is important to be cognizant of the possibly differing values and most certainly different culture we will encounter. These various differences in lifestyles, cultures, and values can be compared to the differences we see in flags, each having its own unique pattern, color, and meaning associated with it. The concept of these flags and the many things they stand for is intriguing to me and i think is something to be admired.

Next stop…Rio de Janeiro!!