Gods Wrath

When I saw Iguacu falls for the first time on Planet earth, I knew nothing about it (or that I was going to be in Brazil) or where it was, but my immediate reaction was “I am going there one day”.

It is great when you get to live out those dreams. Iguaçu is more than anything anyone can describe. It is just phenomenal. It really makes me feel like I am witnessing God’s wrath. God, in his beautiful creativity found the greatest way to take out a little of his extra fury in the falls that dump 350,000 gallons of water per second from the 275 falls that lie within two miles of the river! I loved it, there is nothing I can say. We stayed in the park on the Brazil side of the falls (they are on the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay). We got to hike and view the falls after the park closed, had a great dinner in our beautiful hotel and I even got my own room! Saturday we went on a boat ride up to the falls, and even in a few, that was a rush! We also had to take a jeep through the forest through the woods and all I kept thinking about was Jurassic Park, it really was like we were in the movie. I was waiting to see a Brontosaurus head above the tree tops. Then we went over to Argentina and walked out the catwalk to above the part of the falls called Devils Throat. It was beautiful! It is a full sensory experience. The roar of the falls, the mist covering you, the blue green and white fury of beauty, the smell, and the taste of the water as you stand jaw fallen in awe of the splendor. Like I said: indescribable. I also got to ride a helicopter up to see the falls Sunday morning! I got to sit in the front (with the glass all the way around, even at my feet) (I felt like I was on Lost…) and see a bird’s eye view of one of Go ds seven wonders (I am going to make a list)

In the photos:
1. Our first view of the falls, 2. first view of devils throat, 3. view of one of the falls during our hike, 4. sitting on the banister, not the brightest idea..., 5. devils throat first hand on the catwalk, 6. Daddy and I on the hike, 7. Yay rainbows, 8. the catwalk out to devils throat (the old pillars are from the one that collapsed into the falls about ten years ago...), 9. view from the boat ride, 10. during the Jurassic Park hike ( i know my hat is awesome), 11. my feet with the falls, pure awesomeness, 12. bring on that H2O, 13. the cute animals... eating the trash, mom loved them, 14. for Karly, this is almost as good as getting the tattoo..., 15. The wonderful hike in the park after it closed! Good job Mom!, 16. The view from the helicopter!

"I dont know what alface is..."

So my parents just left from a ten day trip, I am not even sure where to start…

I flew up to Sao Paulo and met them last Thursday. Other than the fact they made me take a six am flight… everything was great. I was very excited to see them but nervous about showing my very obvious gringo parents (sorry I still love you) around two cities I knew very little about…. But Sao Paulo was very… huge and down right exhausting, but I enjoyed it. I introduced Mom to ciaprianas, and dad to Brazilian cold beer - two staples in Brazil. We saw a beautiful church, a crazy market, live music (from a woman…), had a taste of Brazilian carne, and moms favorite coffee (thanks lonely planet).

After Sao Paulo (just one night) we were off to Foz do Iguaçu. I think it calls for its own blog. After Iguacu came Rio for two days, and then Floripa. I think I will have separate blogs for each, to many photos.

In the photos:
1. In the airport! 2. Mom and I at the great coffee place, 3-5 the really neat cathedral in Sao Paulo

Aula!!!

OI! Yes, I am still alive here in Brasil! It is as beautiful as ever! I started class four weeks ago now and they have been interesting. If you want to know how classes are, my answer is always, there in Portuguese…. As I am sure all of you know, I have a problem with daydreaming (especially in class) and I have learned that not knowing the language makes it so much easier to not focus… I should just tell you about my first week of class, it was eventful enough. Tuesday I have my recreation and leisure class at EIGHT in the morning (as much as I miss crew it was easy to get used to waking up late). Well I have to take the bus and its about an hour ride more or less, well I get to campus with ten minutes to spare, go to the list to find out what class room my class is in and learn that my class is actually on the mainland campus (about an hour and a half from where I am, and I have no idea how to get there). So with a collect call to Rodrigo, scrounging for change at the bus stops, I made it for the second half of class (class here is 3 hours once a week). I had to borrow money to make it back home, so needless to say, very interesting first day. The second day my class wasn’t till 7pm, Tourism Events, so Rodrigo was going to get his ride, my friend Gabby, to pick me up. Well at 6:30 he wasn’t there… so I had to bus and was 45 minutes late. I finally got it right on Thursday for my people management class (nao gosto) that was at 830. I was actually early, and the first one in my class till 840. Incase I haven’t mentioned, people in Brasil are ALWAYS late. Out of the 4 times I have been on time to class, my teachers haven’t, and 2 times I was late, my teachers still weren’t there. I fit right in…

In the pictures: My host family before a graduation party that was more like a wedding reception

My sweet pad

Alright so I forgot to put up my address, but better late than never, just write it exactly like this:

Aubrey Anne Groeber
Rua Joe Collaço 605
Santa Monica 88.035-200
Florianopolis - SC
Brasil


YAY everyone should write me!!!

Busses, Bikes, Brellas

So after Carnaval we had the rest of the week free. My friend Sam and a friend David went off to travel and they were planning on stopping in Curitibia last where Sam would bus to Belo Horizonti (where her and Karly were spending there semester). Karly and I talked about meeting them there on Friday, but we changed our minds (Thursday afternoon) and decided to go Thursday night after the going away pizza for Karly and Jonathan (he’s going to Porto Allegre). It was an adventure to say the least (our 3:30 bus arrival and attempt to tell the taxi where we were going). Karly and I had all Friday to ourselves, and we explored, I learned a lot about Curitibia. For example, there busses, famous for how efficient they are, only work because they NEVER stop. Don’t trust them. I also learned that I had a great sense of direction, don’t deny it Karly, but am oblivious to when I actually get to where I am going. Brazilian boys are even cuter with guitars, even if they are singing in some foreign language that I will never understand. Getting lost is fun, except when its raining…and Karly is tired… ha ha (at least it wasn’t cold or dark). The random gas station always has the snack you want and cant find anywhere else, Karly needs a new umbrella (one that doesn’t shout IM AMERICAN). Curitibia is the capital of Parana (the state right above me). People here are very very ecofriendly. We saw a group of bikers petitioning, and saying “more adrenaline, less ethanol” and it was pretty awesome. I look very Brazilian, the check out guy at the café told me, in English bc he started the conversation in English bc he could tell we weren’t Brazilian I also learned that I am a bad photographer (almost all the photos on my blog are thanks to Karly and Sam, so now the photos will not be as good) (but keep reading) You have to specify if you want the room with a/c but all rooms have heat (not sure why since I swear it is forever over 80 here)… Hotels here don’t have shampoo and conditioner, you can’t stand on the top of the tourist bus. That’s actually a funny story. We met some Americans while on this tourist bus, and at one point the top was full so they were standing, well the bus stopped and they came on the intercom and kept saying you aren’t allowed to stand on the top bc your head could get chopped off (it was an open air on top bus), so everyone stared at them as they kept standing bc they couldn’t understand it! That was Curitiba in a nutshell. I already miss Karly, Sam, and Jonathan. Classes start this week, so that should be interesting. “Hey Sam the bus comes in three minutes.” “Ok I’ll go ahead”, (in her head) “cause I’m getting juice!” We had a blast, I will miss them and those cookies Karly always bought, I don’t even know what they are called…

Sorry about the title I wanted three b’s







In the photos: Karly and I at the tons of waterfountains where I had to pee and couldnt find the bathroom... You may be wondering where sam is, she is just getting some juice... 2. Karlys disgusting candy apple at the opera house, 3. dancing at the oscar neimyer art meuseum, 4. awesomeness in the form of mirrors, 5. the view of curitibia, 6. once again enjoying the art, 7. Sam and I at the gardens, it was beautiful, 8. I really liked this so we imitated it... its the eye at the neimyer museum.

Lady Hawke

So I don’t think I have mentioned it before but in Brazil they have all the American movies and songs. Like I hear more English in clubs and on the radio than Portuguese. So I have been wondering if they have all American movies with Portuguese dub-overs. The answer to that question is YES! They have every movie. I was on the bus home and they played movies. The first was “Night of the Museum” I was like please just do subtitles in Portuguese, which they did so I was like yes! But then I realized they were speaking Spanish, so none of it was helpful. I also at the end of the movie saw where they say dub over actors and had a list of names. So they have like Dub actors who just read what the people are saying in a different language. Pretty hilarious. I decided I want that job. I have always wondered the process. Just like I wonder who does the subtitles on live tv, like news and stuff. I picture some poor guy frantically typing what they say at like 200 wpm. Anyway, back to my initial question. So the second movie they put in was titled “Lady Hawke”. Yes it was an American film, and the best part was Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer were both in it! I know you would think a movie with good actors would have a much better name, and actually be heard of. I was laughing in my seat trying to watch this film dubbed over in Portuguese. Basically it is about Michelle Pfeiffer being a Hawk by day and well Michelle Pfeiffer at night. And then some guy who is a like awesome fighter dude by day and wolf by night, so they can never be together. And Broderick is some prison jail break kid that helps them. It was as awful as my description is, and I could hardly understand it (it being in Portuguese and all) but I watched the whole thing. That is when I knew the answer was yes, they have people that dub over every American movie. EVERY movie. Now my question is if in brazil there are like famous dubber(is that what we call them?) over actors that like people love their voices and they are celebrates bc of there voices. On movie covers it says “Julie Roberts voice being played as Beatriz Henrique” and everybody freaks out and buys it. I will let you know what I find out, until then, go rent Lady Hawk and watch it for me, and explain the whole priest character, he looked important, that is if you can find it…

minha casa!

Hey yall! I thought i would put up a video of my house. I look really rough, it has been super hot and i had just had a really long day... more to come on that. I hope yall enjoy! (sorry its long, stupid keys...)