Trivia Time

In the advent of finding a relatively fast internet connection, I have chosen to go upload happy on the pictures, as Buenos Aires will be perhaps the most modern site we'll visit before traversing the Andes.

Where was the first world cup held?
Montevideo, Uruguay - Estadio Centenario



Where is the world's widest avenue?
Avenida 9 de julio, Buenos Aires

Life after Death

The inherent controversy in this statement has many layers of complexity. From a broad perspective, there are two sides, but either side has its own layers of varying beliefs. Thus, I will not attempt to make my own debate, as better people than myself have already done so. However, I will underline the importance of the after-life in all major religions.

Though many have varying beliefs on what happens to a person after they pass, burial rights have always reflected the same idea - that the body must be made ready for a peaceful transition. The very act of burial is believed by some to be a ceremony which distinguishes us as humans. It symbolizes our consciousness, an awareness of our existence.

It is no surprise that we are willing to spend as much as we do on the burial of our loved ones. Nothing is too much to guarantee eternal rest. I however, do hope that the lavishness of that surrounds the deceased has no bearing on how they will fair after death. Very few can afford such first class treatment.

Apparently, as can be witnessed in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, these few do exist. Small marble houses, mini- chapels, multi level mausoleums. Many of the richest, but more importantly, famous, Argentinians lie here to rest.








Evita's Grave

Southern Blends

Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina. Each has its distinguishing features, and takes pride in being unique. If the saying "You are what you eat" holds true, then Brazilians, Uruguayans and Argentinians can't be too far off from each other. Here's a couple items that they share gastronomically.

Mate: the seemingly addictive, though supposedly non addictive herbal drink, served in a calabaza gourd with hot water, sipped through a metal filter straw.



Dulce de leche: a cooked, sweetened condensed milk. Common use as a spread for toast, but all sorts of candies have been invented.

Capes

We're not alluding to the standard, sleeveless, back-covering, flapping, mysterious garment made famous by super heroes.

The cape I refer to is that involving a piece of land that juts into the sea. How far it has to be I do not know. Nor do I know what kind of height its rocks need to reach up for it to be called a Cape. I am no geographer, nor pirate. Although I do know that there are enough of them that it was quite common for a Cape to do some serious damage on a vessel. And for this very reason, such inconvenient protuberances known as capes became tourist destinations, because they necesitate the use of lighthouses.

Everyone loves lighthouses, even though they can be quite similar. Nevertheless, they are impressive, and are distinguished by the country they shine upon.

Thus, it was necessary to visit Cabo Polonio in Uruguay. A tiny little cape off the Atlantic Coast, just a ways away from Punta del Este, the beach resort getaway for Brazilians and Argentinians alike. What makes Cabo Polonio intriguing and a sight to see is its rustic, untouched quality. One can only traverse reach cape via sand dunes aboard 4x4 trucks. Once in, one finds a tiny town with 200 inhabitants, a town which just recently gained access to electricity. To top it off, there is a colony of sea lions with the largest population in South America which beach out on the rocks. Oh, and there is a lighthouse.

Border Xing

One could always stop and contemplate what the world would be like if country borders were based more on geographical practicality and less so on political egotism. Perhaps there would be less violence and war. Perhaps a more productive human race. Nevertheless, we can only speculate. It is clear however, that if the divides were created in such a practical manner, one country would be obliged to concede some parcel of land.



Thus, we are left with odd divisions of land, random splits which arbitralily divide one nation from another. This becomes even more interesting when the people on one side of the imaginary border speak a different language than the other.

To cross the border between Uruguay and Brazil is an interestingly simple prospect. Officially you have to go through a customs/immigration checkpoint. Non-officially, it involves crossing the street. It isn't often that you'll find the full side of a main street to be predominantly Brazilian while on the other side, of Uruguayan makeup. Here's a photo of such an instance. In Chuí(referred to as Chuy in Uruguay), shops are Brazilian on the left and Uruguayan on the right.


You'll have to turn your head. It takes way too long to upload pics.

We have made our way through half of the massive landmass known as Brazil. It is all Español from here on out.

Last pics from Brazil

Guard dog


Lake swimming with snakes

Floripa

It is the same all over the world. Everyone moves to the big city to find work. Some 30000 make their way to São Paulo daily, contributing to the 19 million who already call it their home. It is no wonder that São Paulo is no. 3 in the world for the most skyscrapers in the world. They have begin to build up as well as out.



Just as it is inevitable that the career search begins in the São Paulo, the search for relaxation and liberation from the daily grind starts in Florianópolis, better known to Brazilians as Floripa. Just an 11hour bus ride south of São Paulo, the island of Floripa is home to small town fishing, colonial architecture and is a surf haven, with its 42 beaches. Just a bridge separates the place from the mainland, and what one finds upon crossing it is a lack of traffic, congestion, noise (save for that of the ocean waves crashing on the sea shore) and stale city air. Tranquility resides here.

Tourist Traps

A tourist trap is established once a place has successfully promoted one of its special attractions, be it geographical, historical or cultural, and jacks up its prices so high, all the while knowing that the tourist will pay, regardless of the figure. I present Cristo Redentor and Pao de Azucar. You can go pay to go up to these monuments for 30-40 dollars, have a drink for 10 and buy miniature figures for 20 (which this author had no interest in).

In the end, the view is worth it.

30m of limestone


Sugar Loaf Mountain


View from the Top

Cidade Maravilhosa

Rio de Janeiro, famous for its beaches and Carnaval. One could also add architecture and Brazilian women to this list.

After 4 hours in a cramped plane, plus 10 hours in a more spacious Texan flight which carried the Longhorn state ambience with it, I find myself in Rio, the bustling city, with both geographic wonders as well as the contrast of antiquity and modern urban life.

It is always a pleasure to be able to put a face, or in this case a place, on a name made famous through music and film. A beach has to be quite the wonder to find itself as a title to a song. I am alluding to the Jobim's jazz standard "Girl from Ipanema", a beach which offers fine sand, beautiful close breaking waves and fútbol along the sand.



Botafogo Beach


Art Exhibit


View from hostel


Unfortunately, the rain has soiled our plans for Copacabana beach as well as the views from Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain. The sun will be back tomorrow.

Latin America 2010

What: Trekking
Where: Latin America
When: September 6 - December 20
Why: It must be done
Who: DA and NS
How: By any means

The route, a very rough sketch:








16 countries in 105 days. An exploration of the continents which once enticed the people of the eastern hemisphere to seek new life and new hope in their rich diversity, culture and resources. Stay tuned.