Author: Yutong Wu

The Green of Rio

My favorite moment of our one short week trip in Rio de Janeiro, would be time we visiting gardens or the designed landscape relating to the famous buildings. In all, Rio is so different with Columbus, including culture, foods, people, language, buildings, etc; and also without doubt, the plants, trees, flowers in nature, which grow in South America.  Architects and Landscape architects have taken the advantage of characteristics of their local environment, and their designed landscape look so distinguishing with those I used to be familiar with. My first experience of the Brazilian garden, is the sitio of Roberto Burle Marx. Things are all new to me there; so many trees and plants I have never seen, and only if you are really in there, you can understand its scale; all the trees and flowers are in large scale! even the mosquito btw: ) I really enjoy the time spending in the sitio; all the things look green, but not the same green actually. The plants had been selected carefully, and they always being placed in a pattern of depth of color; in the middle is a large tree with dark green leaves and surrounded by other smaller lighter green plants, or in the opposite order; and layer by layer the change slowly going on; giving people a feeling of dynamic change even only in the color of green.

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I have the same feeling when we visited the botanical garden, and the small garden in front of the Ministry of Education and Health, below is a sketch I draw for it. How the Brazilian landscape architects deal with the harmony of botanical plants in their garden impress me a lot in this trip.

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Unforgettable Memories

It is still hard to believe the trip in Rio has ended. For these days coming back to Columbus I always have a feeling that we are still in Rio and when I woke up it seems the sunshine is behind the window and the sound of waves…but going home is good as well! At least I can eat my favorite foods! I will miss the fresh fruit juice but honestly, most Brazilian food are not my cup of tea. However having a experience of traditional food like Feijoada is still awesome. It is a really marvelous feeling that when you come back, you feel accomplished; and after a rest of few days you rethinking about your trip, lots of memories have been reminded and you become surprised we have been experiencing so much. 

We`ve really experienced so much indeed. All the photos I collected in my computer, all the sketches I finished and being added, making me hard to forget this wonderful trip. And this is one of most impressive parts of what I have learned in the one week: the power of experience. Many things If you personally experienced you will get a better understanding,  and understanding of your own. That is what you cannot get only from looking the Internet page or pictures from books. Like the architectures and gardens we visited during this trip, only when you are really there, inside or in front of it, you understand its scale and the relation with the surroundings; for example, the cathedral we visited in the middle of downtown, surrounded by a bunch of modern buildings, making a strong comparison with its traditional and religious appearance. And like the Sitio and Botanical garden, you will never get to know how many types of botanical plants are in there, but when you are in there, you get a sense of what the botanical gardens looks like and their difference with our conventional garden.

Before this trip I wrote in my pre-post that I hope this trip will be an unforgettable, precious memory, and I`m really glad to give a conclusion now that it has been realized.

Brazilian Markets

I would say one of the most interesting parts of this trip is the two markets we visited. Let`s talk about the Hippie Fair first. It is not a very big market, but there are so many funny and cultural items. We visited on our second day in Rio, as being a tourist who still did not know much about Brazil at that time, I`d say it completely increase my understanding of Brazilian culture; how is Brazilian folk market looks like and how the local people behave in there as part of their daily life. Especially we learned how to bargain with the traders. Actually it is not strange with me because in China we often do the same thing; but also feeling interesting that you found it also works in Brazil, which is almost the opposite side of earth with your hometown. And I found it is challenging! It is not easy at all, especially when you barely know Portuguese and trying to convince them in your body language. But it`s funny at all.

  Speaking of there, The majority of people cannot speak English is part of my most impressive experience in Brazil. I`m really curious why they do not more positively promote the education of English. Because in my opinion being a famous traveling country which tourism is a large part to support its economy, promoting English will give more convenience and advance for sure. But that`s only a small question of my own, in all people are really nice there, you can always meet local people who can speak English help you to communicate with the trader, the restaurant etc.   People only speak Portuguese are fine as well without doubt.

  I really love those real handmade art pieces by the traders their own in Hippie Fair. Every one of them is different by the handmade, that making them unique. They do not like usual souvenir from the factory line which makes me boring. I really like the drawing map I bought from a really nice granny and the small house model from a old mister. 

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  For the last day we visit another market, and that is a really meaningful experience as well. It tends to be even more local, as Venesa said we might be the only foreigners in there. And that is true. There is even more funny things. I love the small trolley with poetry. That`s new to me. All the poetries looks interesting and I wish I could read it. And Lulu tried the braid thing, it is so cool I wish I did it but there was not enough time. The market experience really broaden my understanding of Brazilian folk life.

Football Game&Maracana

I’m a big fan of football game so when I heard we could have a chance to watch a local game at Wednesday night, I definitely said I’m not gonna miss it. The game is between Flamengo FC & G.E Brasil at the Maracana Stadium. This is a very good chance not only it is the “first fase” of the Brazil Cup, it’s also chance we see the Maracana Stadium at night and on a game.

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I have learned about the craziness and enthusiasm of the fans, but when I was really with them still I’m overwhelmed by the atmosphere! The song and beats are never stopped, even before and after the game. And I`d say it really boost the morale.  Since the Flamengo is the home team, the stadium is full of red and black. We were sitting at the very first one and two rows , and this is also my first experience to watch a game in such a close distance. Since I support the Flamengo, when they wins I stood and clapped with the fans, feeling excited as same as they did.

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  And at the last day we are very luck to have a guide trip in Maracana in the daytime. That is really good for me cause I have gotten the views of this famous stadium in different times and conditions. And thanks to the guide I have gained a better understanding of this stadium. I noticed the mix of yellow and blue seats, like the two colors are slowly melted together. The guide told us the yellow and blue, with color of grassland green, represent the idea of this country and flag. How interesting to learn that! The experience in Maracana is really amazing.

Pre-departure

It is still unbelievable we are going to Rio in about only sixteen hours more…yesterday at this moment I were struggling with packing my baggage. We will go to such a far place and it`s always hard time for me to deciding what I want to pick/leave. Now I`m sitting at the airport in Atlanta. Can `t wait to say hello to Rio! As these days in Columbus the weather is finally getting warm which makes me very happy all after a long and tough winter, I believe in Rio I will definitely get much more pleasure. Isn`t exciting? I have never been to South America and I hope this would be a unforgettable and precious memory in my later life. I will experience the different culture as much as I can, through my eyes and my sketchbook. And when I get back to Columbus I will have a bunch of stories and events that I want to talk to my friends; every time when I`m thinking about this, my excitement get much and much higher…! I just can`t wait learning some Brazilian folk songs and eating lots of delicious South American food. Hopefully everybody can get the great experience and we will make the best program: )