Rio De Janiro
Safety: After arriving in Rio we received talk on safety in the city. Professor Tait explained despite recent improvements Rio remained a dangerous and with all cities it is more dangerous tourist as they considered easy targets.He said this was evidenced by the militarization of the police and prevalence Fevela slums through the city. We also told that if left the hotel at night we would probably be robbed and killed.
Loss Passport: Unfortunately my first day in Rio was marked with trouble as made the error misplacing my passport cause delay for our group for the next day in half. After losing the passport I had spent much of the rest of the day attempting to contact parent in order to obtain the document I need to get the passport replaced. After contacting my parents having birth certificate I went with professor Tait cross the street to police station to report my passport loss. Since no one at the station spoke English the police drove us tourism police station about half an hour way. Riding in the police car and seeing the turned be a rather interesting experiences. I would even go far say it most likely would have enjoyable if had not been disappointed my self for losing the passport. A pone arriving at the station I filled out the police report lost stolen passports.
I was credible surprised by the level helpless of the police. I could not imagine any American police officer taking a hour out of their escort tourist across town. Particularly since most police department in major American cities tourist a low priority and doubly so if issue in question does not involve violence. I had anticipated the situation would be similar in Rio especially since, the city know for it high crime rates.
I was credible surprised by the level helpless of the police. I could not imagine any American police officer taking a hour out of their escort tourist across town. Particularly since most police department in major American cities tourist a low priority and doubly so if issue in question does not involve violence. I had anticipated the situation would be similar in Rio especially since, the city know for it high crime rates.
The Consulate: The next morning we went to consulate in Central Rio. The line was very long lucky citizens consulates home country get propriety so only took about half hour to through. Once inside the consulate was given a few additional forms to fill out. While waiting processing I spoke to woman moving from Rio to Minnesota for marriage. I told joking told her I was sorry for misfortune. It was encouraging to see that found such great love that she move Rio to Minnesota.
Roof Top Pool at the Hotel: A pone arriving back at the hotel went to roof where found the rest of member of group enjoying the roof top pool. The view from the roof absolutely amazing. I a struck by view sugar loaf mountain and city of Rio. I had not realized how profound the view would be. Honest expected it similar to see a photo but, seeing person something came over. It was more than a review an experience.
Crisco the Redeemer: After returning from the consulate our group set off to see Rio's world famous crist The Redeemed statue.Before seeing the statue our tour included a stop at the Corcovado mountain lookout point. The lookout point had wondrous view of the city. Personally I felt the view was better than at the Christ statue it self. The Corcovado lookout point is also the location of take off point for helicopter tour around Rio sadly the tour was not operating on that day. After Corcovado mountain we went to Christ statue. While, a statue was nice to lookout real attraction was it location in the Tijuca national forest which we would hike on our final day of the trip after returning to Rio.
Copacabana Beach: Later that afternoon we went to Copacabana beach. While, beach and many part of surround bay prove to excessive trash build up water quality acceptable on this day so I we were able to swim in the water. The water was at just right temperature very enjoyable for swimming. The beach itself was actually very clean and of quality than many of the beaches I had seen at home in Jersey (AC your getting called out).
Stolen Sandal crime in Streets of Paradise
Following day we returned to the beach where I fell victim to formidable criminals mentioned above in the safety section. While, taking a quick nap on the beach I woke to find that find one of my sandals was missing. We came the conclusion that the sandal was stole as had placed both sandals next to each other being going to sleep thus, if I had loss the sandal both would missing rather than one. Also Dan told me he pretty sure saw someone come up and take sandal. I thanked him informing me in timely matter. Surely someone organized gang of sandal thief who specialize in stealing one sandal at a time were responsible for this heinous crime. That somebody thought it would funny to mess with a tourist (but, I think the gang sandal thief is much more reasonable explanation. |
Shopping: Faced with the prospect of walking back to the hotel barefoot I decided search for new pair of sandals from many vendors that line the side walk adjacent to the beach. The first three vendors had no sandals but fourth vendor I went to had one pair for sale. They were high end Nike's and significantly more than I wanted to spend 200 reais or about 75 dollars US. When when asked the vendor if had anything cheaper he hold me would sell the sandals off this feet for the half the price 100 reais. Faced with I though this biazar but, interesting. What a souvenir! I was excited bring back another item from a local (plus it makes a great story) so I agreed to buy sandals. Later in the day I brought a color Brazilian beach towel. The towel doubled as a dress when warped around a woman in a certain way so given it my mother as gift returning to NJ. The towel dress and sandals can seen in the pictures below.
Chevron: The next we had meeting Chevron oil executives in Central Rio. We learned about learned Chevrons work to develop oil fields with off the cost Rio and regulations governing foreign companies in Brazil. We learned that chevron has developed serial oil field about 200 miles off the coast in partnership with the national oil company Petrobras (the largest company in Brazil). Oil executives expressed frustration with Brazilian regulatory frame work. They particularly lamented a government rule that required Petrobras to be the majority hold in oil development projects within the country. The law designed to prevent over influence foreign corporations and keep oil wealth in Brazil.
It seem clear that is policy has slowed the pace oil exploration. Given the current imbalance in the market and impact on environment slow oil exploration appears unintentional befit of this policy (even though it runs counter to policies goal of help Brazil increase domestic production. As for it part in reducing the influence of foreign companies it seem as chevron has less of footing in Brazil than like. Given negative environmental impact and extraction of wealth from poorer countries companies like Chevron often have, limiting their operation seem like net positive for Brazil. That being said our host chevron were quiet welcoming and friendly and should be thanked for giving us their time.
It seem clear that is policy has slowed the pace oil exploration. Given the current imbalance in the market and impact on environment slow oil exploration appears unintentional befit of this policy (even though it runs counter to policies goal of help Brazil increase domestic production. As for it part in reducing the influence of foreign companies it seem as chevron has less of footing in Brazil than like. Given negative environmental impact and extraction of wealth from poorer countries companies like Chevron often have, limiting their operation seem like net positive for Brazil. That being said our host chevron were quiet welcoming and friendly and should be thanked for giving us their time.