March 14, 2008

• Thought on traveling

  "screwy us system makes slave to employer for doctor rights :/" JR

  In our travels, we're not running into that many Americans. They say it's because the US is so big, that Americans are content traveling within their borders. Comfortable without needing to learn another language, and content with believing that nobody has it better than Uncle Sam.

  Here in Sao Paolo, JC and I are feeling quite at home. People are super friendly and keep trying to talk to us, and all we can say is "Nao fala portuguese" Yes, we suppose there's crime around... and a few of our hostel mates have been pick-pocketed. But if you have your head on you at all times, protecting yourself and your belongings becomes effortless.

  There's a big Asian population, and because we're staying in it, no one spots us as tourists. We also use the tourist card when it's convenient... like stealing wifi from this hotel lobby. Man, they charge $285R a night! That's $180/night. We're taking some time off of the Hostel Route and are staying at this family run hotel, for just $80R, $40US a night.

  All was fun, and everything was nice and relaxing, until I got a small reminder of reality... a friend informed me of a job opportunity. Immediately, I started to think about whether or not to cut the trip short... the economy, healthcare, and getting my feet planted before I start a family...

  Taking a few hours to think about it, I had to remind myself that jobs will come and go, what I'm doing is setting me up with a lifetime of memories. All in due time... and a job shouldn't outweigh the other aspects of my life. Speaking as a young professional, I think that if we all gave up on some of the commercialism, we'd be able to gain life experiences that will last a lifetime.

  I sort of feel that Americans are suckered into spending their money on a lot of stuff we don't need. And being slaves to our employers for fear of not having health insurance. That, plus the expanse of the country, leaves Americans taking shorter trips that don't really change their perspective on the world.

  Little things that are cool:
  - Priority lines for elderly, pregnant women, and families with small children
  - Priority seating for the same
  - All the stores that are committed to fixing things that are broken
  - Public spaces (The real estate barons would eat up any open spaces!)
  - Beauty in architecture (NY is so utilitarian)
  - How trains are so much nicer outside NY
  - How people are super nice and helpful

  In traveling, it's reinforcing my belief that money isn't everything. It's health, and our ability to live life... however that may be accomplished.

  Pictures from the futbol game:
  

  Pictures from the favela:
  Slum Visits: Tourism or Voyeurism?

  On our particular trip, we had a reporter join us.  I was interviewed, and it's supposed to have aired on wednesday at 7:00 on Brazilian cable TV. The story was based around the new thing that Tourists are doing in Rio. The NY Times was there a few days before us, and printed this story linked above. The president of Brazil was there on Friday. For a place that's supposedly unsafe, a lot of people are going to visit..

  200,000 people live in Rocinha Favela (favela translates to slum)
  

  To start, we had to take motorcycles to the top of the hill. That was a thrill ride as we weaved through traffic and came within a hairs width of trucks, pedestrians and other motorcyclists. See the reporter interviewing one of the motorcylclists taking us on our tour.
  
  
  The electricity is tapped. There are no taxes or utility bills to pay since the government does not provide that infrastructure.
  
  On top of the houses are vats that collect water.
  

  We bought a painting from an artist
  
  ... and the most delicious sweetbreads. Lenny Kravitz was there weeks before, and had a bun named after him.
  

  Cute girls.
  

  Our tour was great, in that the $ goes to funding a daycare center. They also  encourage the children to make handicrafts to sell instead of panhandling. We learned a lot about the history of the dwelling and were provided with contact information to send donations. Because we walked throgh the streets, and interacted with the people, I didn't feel like we were ogling, instead, we were just interacting with people... and reinforcing our social obligation to lighten the hardships of others.
  

  • 9:36 pm
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