Author: Reyna Lusson

Reflecting From Snowy Columbus

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It didn’t hit me that the week was coming to an end until Vanessa sang “The Girl From Ipanema” to us on the bus ride to the airport. As I looked out the window at one final view of mountains and stars and sand, I was overwhelmed in thinking about all of the amazing experiences from the trip.

One of my favorite aspects of the trip was working to overcome the language barrier. It was a fun challenge to communicate with such little common language. Most of the locals that we encountered seemed willing and enthusiastic to talk with us and tell us about their city. I think that the largest way that I was able to overcome the language barrier was by communicating emotion; compassion, love and empathy are universal.

Everything that we did during the week was incredible, but there are a few moments that were particularly breathtaking. Walking through the favela was a reminder that the media often only covers a single angle of a situation; I had read about the drug-lords and crime, but never about the incredible sense of community that has arisen. I was awestruck by the view of the city from Sugarloaf Mountain on our first evening in Rio. It really allowed us to see how heavily dictated the architecture is by the prominent natural landscape. Experiencing the landscapes of Roberto Burle Marx gave me the sense of peace that only gardens can evoke.

Our week in Rio de Janeiro gave me an even stronger yearning to travel. Every place that I visit makes me realize just how much there is in the world that I don’t yet know about. There are so many people to meet and adventures to be had, and I’m so thankful that I was able to enjoy this one!

Dusk on Ipanema Beach


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On the last evening that we spent in Rio, I watched the sunset from a rock that juts out from Ipanema beach. Everyday, tourists and locals alike gather along that strip of beach and clap during the moment when the sun falls out of view. I love this appreciation of the ordinary. I think we should all make a point of stopping to notice small moments of peace or joy like this one. People weren’t distracted by their phones, but instead were enjoying the company of other people, or simply looking out into the ocean. Nobody seemed rushed to move on to the next part of their day, but instead were fully engaged with the present.

During this hour of quiet, I reflected on my week. I thought about how quickly people are able to adapt to new circumstances. Over seven days, I grew accustomed to being surrounded by a foreign language and unfamiliar faces; I came to expect rice and beans on every plate of food; I began to enjoy waking up not knowing what adventures the day might hold. Most of all, I slowed down my pace of life to match the speed of the city. I hope to bring this home with me and make more of an effort to take notice of the beautiful things that life has to offer.

 

 

Roberto Burle Marx landscapes

Today we had the opportunity to explore landscapes designed by Roberto Burle Marx. The first was outside the Ministry of Health and Education, and consisted of a series of landscapes on both sides of the structure. I loved the way the organic, curvy forms of the gardens contrast with the harsh angles of the building. Aimee pointed out how skillfully Marx aligns a row of Palm trees behind a row of columns. I think this is an awesome way to unite the landscape with the architecture. I attached a sketch that I did at this landscape of one of the many beautiful plants incorporated in the design.

I was even more impressed with Marx’s “parque praia,” the long park that hugs Flamenco beach. He transitions from one type of landscape to another seamlessly, making each part of the park distinct while allowing each of those parts become part of a larger, cohesive whole. I loved how he incorporated things like a skate park and amphitheater that attract people who may not otherwise visit the park. Like the landscape outside the ministry of health and education building, Marx uses gentle curves to lead you smoothly from one area to another. In addition to admiring the landscape, we got the chance to try slack lining with some friendly cariocas!

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Pre-departure

We’re at the Atlanta airport waiting for our flight to Rio, and it’s fianlly hitting me that we’re going to be in Brazil in 12 hours. It seems like we’ve been planning and preparing for so long that it hasn’t felt real until now. The taste of spring that Columbus gave us this week has made me even more ready for 90 degree weather in rio.

When I was swing dancing this week, I happen to meet a young woman named Livia from Sao Paulo who recently moved to Columbus. She told me that rio is her favorite city in the world. Upon finding out that I know so little Portuguese, she taught me some useful phrases that I’m excited to try out. Livia also told me about a dance style called forro that is very popular in Brazil. She recommended that I try it while we’re there, and showed me a video of what the dance looks like. When we get there, I want to find out if there’s somewhere in the city to dance, and hopefully get a group of people to come with me and experience this aspect of Rio’s rich culture! I’m interested to see how social dance culture differs from the United states.