Single Beds and Middle Seats make for the most amazing weekend!

There are a number of songs that have been written about Rio de Janeiro … including “The Girl from Ipenema”, “The Copacobana”,; even Barry White and James Taylor have gotten in on the action, as have countless Brazilian musicians… Please see the attached list from the wiki’s to get a view of your favorite City… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_cities   …but before I lose my point –I absolutely know why they are writing songs about this amazing City!!!  We were in fact humming the aforementioned hits the entire 3 days in Rio.  #whatabeautifulplace!!!

Talk about absolutely knowing…as you fly over Rio, you immediately know why the Portuguese and French ‘stopped’ in lovely Rio de Janeiro in the mid-1500s.  The location and position of the City is breathtaking. It is nestled in the mountains and on the sea at the same time. And oh by the way, the city itself is nothing to shake a stick at either. 

At that time, of course, the massive ‘favelas’ or slums had not sprung up all over the hillsides.  This phenomenon has emerged in urban environments and is of course sad, but are actually quite beautiful from a distance….the colors, the sprawl up the mountains.  I was warned that Rio would be dangerous and I needed to be vigilant (which I have been the entire time in BR) – but my colleagues and I felt quite the opposite… Safe, at home and back in a cosmopolitan environment! (For the first time since coming to South America, I was coveting other peoples' fashion choices! Now - that is saying something!!)

My 3 colleagues and I visited the ‘must see’ sights in Rio...including Sugarloaf Mountain and the Christou statue. And we just generally got to know this beautiful City. We visited the beaches in Copacabana, and Ipanema, did a little shopping – and again, viewed the City from on high from 2 different vantage points. Truly incredible. Certainly, doing this brought a lot of laughs, which always makes a trip even better!  We also visited the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa, which are the more bohemian spots.

They say pictures speak a thousand words, so I posted many below to show you why I loved Rio so much.  But maybe a few things that stood out about Rio, besides the amazing scenery...

- The lines were incredible...almost everywhere. Certainly for the tourist attractions, but at the airport and every meal it was a similar experience... I guess one could say the lines and the traffic in Rio are analogous.  It was also interesting that Rio is such a world destination, but the tourists were overwhelmingly Portuguese speaking...

- Running on Copacabana.. Sunday morning after visiting Christou, we came back to the hotel and I decided to go for a run on Copacabana - which was so cool. They started closing down the street directly in front of the beach - like NYC has done - to allow people to exercise more easily. It was so fun to sweat, people watch and listen to the Brazilian music being played at the various beach bars.

- Food! Food, and more food!  Since food has been a theme for my entire trip, I have to comment on Rio. It was truly delicious. The freshness. The focus on 'local'. The pineapple alone deserves a shout out!!  Also - we tried Amazonian food, which I loved.  The food in Rio Grande do Sul (where Porto Alegre is) is not spicy - so I was VERY excited for coconut and spicy... If you can, try Amazonian food. Delish!

- You can buy ANYTHING you want from the comfort of your own beach chair... Seriously. We saw everything from shrimp on a stick, to bathing suits, to kiddie pools, to hot Brazilian tea, to towels/cover ups...and the list goes on. We had a tally running - but Ive forgotten what the exact number was

 

So all of this begs the question... will Rio really be ready for the World Cup and the Olympics in 2016?  I do not know the answer- but I took it upon myself to pose the question to many.  The overwhelming response - inside and out of Rio (because I of course asked in Porto Alegre many times too, as they will be a host of the Cup, too!)...is that they will not be ready.  Only time will tell....

One thing is certain, if you have it in your sights to go to Rio for the World Cup or to visit in general - Go there!  (Immediately if not sooner!) Tell them Sarah sent you.... The American with the broken Portugeuse who couldnt stop smiling. :)

Before I forget... our hotel was AMAZING... but mine and Amy's room had 3 single beds...and I sat in the middle seat to and fro from Rio... but I would do it again in a heartbeat, or a NY minute... and I wouldnt be on Brazilian time! :)

XO

Another 'aerial' shot

Me and Rio....

Does this picture need a caption?

View of the City from on high

Amy and I from the Christou statue

My colleagues Amy, Nabil and I

Ipanema Beach... 'nuf said

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On Sugarloaf moutain - overlooking Rio..

Rio at dusk from Sugarloaf. Simply amazing!

My colleague Francois on Sugarloaf

All work, and some play

I have talked a lot about the 'sabbatical' part of the social sabbatical, and not the hours where I am spending the majority of my time... At work! I did mention a few weeks ago that my project is focused on neighborhood revitalization, which is fascinating, exhausting and really important - all at the same time.

To imagine what my day looks like... it goes smthg like this... a run at 715 AM with the guys. We have formed a great little running group, and its a fun way to catch up and get some exercise at the same time. I then get ready, we meet for breakfast in our hotel (which is still very modest, and I am still only semi used to.. I will like not wearing socks at all times when I get home :)). After that, Piotr, Senta and I get picked up by our Brazilian client - Walker Massa.

Walker is one of the kindest souls I have maybe ever met. He has been an unbelievable host and guide through the City of Porto Alegre. He owns a company that provides Entrepreneurs a place to work - but also a creative place to network and 'co-work'...as opposed to working from home, or some other remote location. Its a very cool concept, and he is a cool guy. For as much as we've learned from him, I think he has learned from us, too.

We then work on the neighborhood revitalization program... half in ENGL and typically at least half in Portuguese.  It is exhausting to be working in a language which you do not speak.. I do understand a lot, but I obvsly cannot speak much.  Senta and Piotr are in the same boat, and dont necessarily want to, either. (Which I totally get!) We interview constituents, business people, government officials and do research on what the 4th district 'could be' - for Porto Alegre and in 10 years...

A normal work day includes a long lunch (I have NEVER had lunches away from my desk in the States - so its totally foreign to me!) , and questions/commentary from the co-workers at different points during the day. Often, we have extracurricular activities, as well. This means the day normally stretches from my 715 AM run - 730 or 8 PM... after which - we go out for dinner.  #yikes!  #moreeating!

Oh - and remember - this is all on Brazilian time, too. Meaning... the time fluctuates... but we usually run 10 - 30 mins behind for every meeting or engagement and the phrase 'Take it easy' is used a lot.  A lot. : ) #whome #doineedtotakeiteasy?

Regardless - I will take back the balance in life, the focus on the right things and the right time, and the camaraderie this experience has brought into my sphere.  Again, I am one lucky girl!!! 

Ok - more soon! This week brings more shoe shopping, PT lessons, and a trip to Rio!!!! Woo hoo!!!

Cant wait to share... And then, I am back home! I leave next Friday.. so the downward slide home is definitely in full force. I look forward to hearing from you!  Notes from home help a lot. 

XOXO  
 

Brochure from a Workshop I participated in with some colleagues.  Design thinking in action

Our workplace!  From L to R... Senta, me, NOS Logo, Piotr, Walker, Raphael, Marco (from Nos)

A little salt in the wound....

...So sorry for the delay with this entry, as I  had an extremely busy week....and now I write this from....Florianopolis....which I will forever affectionately call the 'Hamptons of Brazil'....
My 11 colleagues and I took a trip to this amazing island for a bit of  R&R, some bonding and a lot of sun! Yes - yes, it's true, it's sort of like 'Real World SAP' . But I guess that is sort of what this trip is, right??!... 12 strangers picked for a trip of a timeline to South America, staying in one (less than desirable) hotel....but I digress.  (On the R&R piece, I know many of you think I am here on full time R&R...but it really is the opposite!!!)

Annette, Amy and I at dinner on Friday

  We heard the island (Floripa, as they call it, that is) was amazing, and I almost don't want to share too much as things get colder back in the States....but I feel it my obligation to share the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth... #sorryimnotsorry... I will confirm...it IS amazing. Picturesque, in fact. 85 degrees and sunny...the entire time. Oh and it's not peak season.

The beach...Yea...#winning

The flight was abt 45 mins from Porto Alegre, and it feels like I am in a whole different world.  To begin painting the picture of the beach vaca, along with the buffet, the thong bikini is quite alive here still and worn by many. (LUCKILY it isn't necessarily the people eating at the buffets wearing the thongs!) ....But there are a few of those too...
 
The beaches are beautiful here....like amazing....  But I can perhaps dispel a myth at the same time....although there are certainly nice looking people in Brazil, it is surely not a country of Gisele Bunchens running around... It is one thing we have all been a bit surprised about. Please note - I have only been in the south - but will confirm or deny from Rio next weekend..!!

Beautiful beach scape

So as to not completely alienate my reading public, I will move away from the weekend for a bit a rewind to the week for a moment...which was a complete whirlwind!  There were so many cultural and work activities that I think I only slept 5-6 hrs a night...
 
On Monday my friend Annette and I took the capoeira class I mentioned in my last entry... It was such a cool cultural experience and a good workout! Annette was very good, I, not so much, but will definitely do it again. (This time ill know what I am getting myself into and the instructor will likely not be speaking. Portuguese to me! :)). Class starts with the playing of musical instruments and singing - then you stretch, etc - learn the 'moves' and then you 'play' capoeira.  After you play a while, you play music again and sing some more and play in 2s to the music...
 
Capoeira came to be as a means by the slaves who were not allowed to talk to one another nor were they allowed to fight communicated with one another. They fine tuned this way to communicate with one another through song and dance...and play fighting. This also allowed them to train and get strong. You never touch your opponent but you are trying to best them with your skills. It's such a culturally rich activity that I was thrilled to do. After that, we had Portuguese class.... And that was just Monday....after work!
 
So an update on my language skills.... I am improving, but certainly not at the clip Id like to... But wow is it frustrating to not be able to effectively and fluently communicate - especially when your comprehension is high. Also, the one sentence I need to know - "i have a gluten allegery" is something I havent mastered yet... and I need to. 
 
Ok - I know this was a long one - more to come soon!

It’s the big and little things that make an experience…(And of course the shoes you do them in!)

When my family was in South Africa earlier this year, we were told by our safari guide that we needed to look at the large and small things in the ecosystem to really get the fullest out of the safari experience… Certainly these words can be leveraged in situations far broader than just that. And I have been really trying to refocus on that advice since being in South America. It’s so easy to just run fast (especially – please hold your breath – since I have been wearing FLATS most of the time! Seeing is believing...so see below!) and try to fixate on the next thing (and the next) instead of being in the moment. 

So just a couple of stories on this topic as we roll out of the weekend… (I am at least an hour – and maybe a few hours ahead of most of you) – sadly my weekend ended before yours… and work week start before yours.  TEAR!

(And these are in no particular order...! And THANK YOU to some of my friends and colleagues for helping to make this list meatier!)

1.  The Brazilian butt lift is alive and well here...both real and fake!  Jeans, in fact, are sold with removable pads in the the back pockets to give the Brazilian girls that extra 'umph'.... Hmmm... (In fact, I met a girl this weekend who is going to start importing jeans to the States because she thinks that may be missing from our wardrobes. :) Get ready, ladies!)

Learning Portuguese from a very reputable source!

2. The Brazilians are actually more focused on fitness than I perhaps thought they were.  Each morning when we go running, there are a number of Brazilians also working out in the park... Interestingly enough, though, that they do not have a sock color choice... Meaning.. if you go to Europe and work out, everyone is wearing dark / black socks with their workout gear - and in the States we typically opt for white. Here - anything goes!  You cant judge a Brazilian by their sock color choice, that is for sure. :)

3. Grass roots community involvement is very important and ever present. The amount of opportunities we have had to participate in the one-off movement, activity, class, etc has been unparalleled. Yesterday, Annette, Amy and I got to participate in 2 different Afro Brazilian cultural events taking place in the park. The first was a 'activity' we participated in was focused on 'white magic' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quimbanda)... It basically consisted of a drum and singing circle and lots of swaying...!  And after, many of those folks would participate in Sunday evening 'capoeira' in the park. 

Brazilian community movement in the park. Afro Brazilian culture

Speaking of that - I am doing capoeira tonight after work, before Portuguese class. Get ready, Chicago, I plan to bring some of my surely new sick moves back with me!! : ) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira)  Quickly - capoeria is a 'work out' which combines dance, arcobatics, and musical instruments... Right up my alley!  Supposedly you just do squats and lunges for about 2 hours.  #justintime because we are going to the beach next weekend!!!

4. The buffet is ALIVE AND WELL in Brazil.  And I think my internet radio (Spotify) must know I have been to a few, because I keep hearing advertisements for Longhorn steakhouse.  (Barf!)  The same is on my face even just typing about this...!!  And now the real question - Which came first - the buffet or the capoeria?!

5. And last but not least - because I am sure you are all dying to know... I acquired my first Brazilian 'mitbringsel' (souvenir) leather goods this weekend!  SHOES!  (Annette got 2 pairs, so I was the well behaved one!)  The leather goods here are certainly beautiful, hand made, etc.  

No, I dont have cankels...and if I do, its from all of the buffets!  But those ARE my new shoes! #OMGIBOUGHTFLATS

So many to love!  So little room in my suitcase

More to come after another day of work, and a few classes this evening...! 

Love, peace and shoes-

Sarah

  

My SAP colleagues and friends in Brazil. We did a month of service project on Sat (before another buffet lunch) by painting an orphanage #givingback #internationalservice

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Pimps & Hoes....

Ok....I figure the shock factor is at least work a read, right?  Maybe she is going to talk about her colleagues? Maybe she is going to talk about her hotel? Maybe she is trying to shock her mother?! She really doesnt like the way they dress there, does she?!!?

Well - this is all incorrect... She is going to talk about work! Um..yes...that is correct. Com licesenza.

So...I am in Brazil for work (as I know you know).  And was chosen as a part of a Leadership program (as was my sister @jenniferalarson) and we are going to different parts of the world to work with non-for-profits... To this end, I thought I was coming to Brazil to work with an NGO/NPO that supports Entrepreneurs.. But instead, I am supporting a tangential initiative.. an urban revitalization project, in the neighborhood where the NGO is located.

This is a neighborhood with a ton of culture and history that has fallen on hard times... To net it out..we have a big problem to solve. We are still not quite sure what our City plan is going to look like, but this task makes my day job look like a piece of cake. (gluten free cake, certainly!). There are some amazing buildings and people who live in this neighborhood -but this task is way bigger than the month we have to dedicate to it. It has been very eye opening and a great way to bond with my teammates (who are lovely, BTW). 

SO - stay tuned for updates on this...and what we come up with...  

But before I close... a few quick things... 

1. This has been an awesome experience thus far  
2. I am working harder and longer hours than normal  
3. I am thrilled to hear from all of you!!!  
4. I had my first Portuguese class tonight (thanks to my colleague Annette for arranging!!!!) and it was so fun. I have gotten to speak a lot of German since being here -and my Portuguese is still awful - but I am learning (and thats half the battle!?!)  
5. I am running every morning with about half of the guys, which has been a fun experience.  
6. My next post will be about how I am going to style Brazil fabulous... or the capybaras... I havent decided yet.  #ireallywanttoseeone!!!

Email me, skype me, miss me, miss you! Boa noite! 
Sar xx