Bitter Sweet

As you may have noticed I haven't really been writing about the Culture Center and the progress of that. Well today is the day that it finally comes out. That wonderful building that we had the offer in for had several problems. We kept figuring them out, slowly, until finally in the end it was proven impossible to purchase. But to make it even worse, we found out that every building in this city is impossible to purchase. Why? Because Xerem is not a known city. As in no land is registered. I went to the government building to find out how we can register the land here and they said it will take 5 years from the time that they begin registering Xerem. I then asked when they might start and the reply was, "Only God knows." Really comforting.

Basically what happened is since this city is full of rivers it was meant to be a park full of flowers and trees. However people found the land and decided to live here. They claimed land, bought and sold it, and now live on it. This city is huge, but completely illegal. They can purchase amongst themselves, but a foreign investor can't prove the building that he is buying, therefore he can buy it. Nice to know after 4 months of being here...

However the title of this post is labeled Bitter Sweet for a reason. Although the Culture Center will not be opened (by me, nor at this time- there are thoughts of building a building on the one piece of land that is legal, but we'll see) that doesn't mean that I can't accomplish the very thing that I came here to do. I came here to play with the cute kids and show them that they are important. So last Tuesday at 9:30 am we started our "class". There was about 7 kids and we just played. We don't have a location, we just play in the streets. But that works for me and the kids aren't complaining! We will have it 2 times per day 3 days a week. So far it has been really nice. I finally feel like I am doing what I came to do. I finally feel like I am accomplishing something. I finally feel good.

Here are a few pictures from our first day.

I've Learned

Shortly after leaving the Neto Cruz family's house I arrived at Barbara's 30th Birthday party. Barbara is the wife of Junior, the main political figure in this city, and a good friend of mine. She mentioned to me that it was going to be just a small party only inviting close friends and family. Upon arriving at their farm it was clear that it wasn't just a small party. It was fully catered and decorated. They even newly tiled the floor on the veranda and painted the house for this party.

Everything was beautiful; candle lit tables under the star filled sky, flowers, and smiles on everyones faces.

People just kept arriving to the party. Aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, the secretary of agriculture, the director of all the hospitals in Caxias, even the mayor's family was there. And this was just a small party, only inviting family and close friends.

The party was wonderful, truly it was. It seemed as if I had walked through two different worlds that evening. One house that often lacks food to the other that always has plenty. One family who often lacks clothes and shoes to another who never lacks. One family of 6 who all sleep in the same room, in one bed to another of 4 who have 4 houses. And yet both families are filled with love for each other and always have smiles on their faces. Two families that live in different worlds and yet find happiness in what is most important; family. Tonight I learned that in the end it doesn't matter what you have or don't have but what matter the most is your family.

My funny boys

Saturday evening I made a quick stop at the Neto Cruz Family's house. I didn't have much time since I was on my way to Barbara's Birthday party, but I had to stop by before I went. It has been quite a while since I have taken any pictures of them; you know how it is you take tons in the beginning and then you result to taking them only when something big happens. But the boys looked to cute this evening and they wanted their picture taken so badly that I couldn't help but take several! Here are just a few, aren't they so adorable! They bring me such joy by their smiles and their hugs. I love these boys!

Pão de Açúcar

Thursday we climbed up Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf). Sure you can take a cable car to the top of this 1200 ft mountain but we chose the less traditional route by walking, rock climbing, and on occasion crawling up to the top. The day started around 10 with the sun shinning and skies clear. It made for amazing views all the way up.



Our guide was great! He knew all the secrets for making the trek easier, which spots weren't as slippery, were to stop to take a break and take pictures, and where to find the most breath taking views. He kept calling it his outdoor gym with God's view of the world.



After 4 hours we finally made it to the top!



We took the easy way down to the first mountain and walked the rest down from there. But on the cable car ride down we took this picture to show what we climbed up. I still can't believe that we climbed up to the top of Sugarloaf!

Rio de Janeiro

The last few days Dallin was here we went to Rio de Janeiro and tried to fit in everything! We ran all over the city! First we went to the steps of Lapa. A man named Seleron moved to Lapa in Rio and fell in love with Brazil (he being from Chile). To show his love for Brazil he created these steps. He created a clay that allows his to constantly replace and change the tiles. He has collected tiles from all over the world and tourists send him new ones all the time to add to the steps. You can send him one if you want too! Then when you go there he will point out which one you sent. If you list any country he will show you all the tiles that he has from there. Unfortunately he didn't have one from Oregon, but he wants one! Anybody want to send one???




Lapa is also know for the arches that were constructed in the mid-18th century. This is one of my favorite places in Rio, just don't go there at night... Along the top of the aches runs the old bonde train up to the neighborhood of Santa Teresa.



Another day Dallin and I went to visit my friend Olivia. She lives in a place with an amazing view of Rio de Janeiro. I just love this city! and I love it more when Dallin is here too!



You can't come to Rio and not to see the Christ statue. We went up at dusk and were able to see an amazing sunset, and the city lit up at night. The statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, (so many different categories hahaha) is so impressive. My favorite part about it is from almost anywhere in Rio you can find the statue. So Jesus is everywhere in Rio!

Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina

Ever wanted to be two places at once? The Itaipu Dam is the largest operational hydroelectric power plant in the world and is located on the borders of Brazil and Paraguay. While taking a tour inside we found the border line and were able to be in two places at once, now that can be marked off of my list of things to do before I die.



The Itaipu Dam is quite impressive. In 1994 it was elected as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. I found out that it supplies 90% of energy consumed in Paraguay and over 20% of Brazil. That is a lot of energy! Of course Dallin understood more about it than me, but it was still interesting to learn about.




That afternoon we took a quick bus over to Argentina to make for the 3rd country and see the 2nd world wonder for the day. This is one of the Seven Forgotten Wonders of the Natural World. I think it is getting ridiculous with how many wonders there are, there are no longer just 7, I think it is up to 63 now. Different categories of wonders, but either way they all are still amazing!
It was nice to see Iguazu Falls from the other side.



Because we went to the Dam in the morning, we didn't have as much time to walk around this side of the falls. So we opted to take the boat tour, which sounded exciting! We purchased our tickets for the last run of the day and found out that it was just going to be us two! The tour started out with a 20 minute ride through the jungle. While driving to the river we saw other jeeps pass us full of people! We got so lucky for it to be just us two! At the end of the ride we got into this boat and went speeding towards the falls.

After a good 15 minutes of taking pictures the guide asked us to put our cameras away. Then he took us straight into the falls! The water was pouring down on us! It was fantastic! We were completely soaked and loved it. I am ready to go back!

Foz do Iguaçu

Just in case Dallin hadn't had enough of flying by now I took him on another quick flight over to Foz do Iguaçu. That makes 4 days in a row flying? Good thing we were here for 3 days to give him a little break right! Foz do Iguaçu (Iguazu Falls) is located along the boarders of Brazil and Argentina (and a few miles from Paraguay). It consists of 275 waterfalls over a mile and a half long stretch. Needless to say the view is breath taking. It was by far the most amazing place I have ever been.



On the first day we went to the Brazilian side and left the more amazing view on the Argentinean side for the next day. We encountered some friendly animals along our way and made friends with some Japanese tourists. It made for quite the memorable morning.






Seriously the pictures don't even begin to do justice to the beauty that is found here. I definitely suggest to everyone to make a trip to this World Wonder.