Brazilian Newspaper Article

I mentioned the arts project - Nos Do Morro; today I was in a Brazilian newspaper. I have posted a photo of the article. If you click on the photo it should enlarge the article.

Will update you soon

Nick.

Last Days In Rio

I have once again been very busy. In some of my spare time myself and a few of the other fellows have been exploring the surrounding areas of Rio. We managed to find a small surf village that was very undeveloped,'
Itacotiara'- it was great to see such a contrast to the busy city life in Rio. The following day we had a walking tour of Rio along with a visit to the 100m high cathedral. It had 4 huge stain glass windows and was a great piece of architecture that stood out in the centre of Rio. I have put some photos up of the views of Rio.

I'm beginning to pick up Portuguese much faster now I know the basics. I'm looking forward to the 2 weeks with the host family in Sao Paulo although I will miss Rio and the beach!

Today I visited another favela. This was much larger to the one I previously visited and was in the heart of Rio. We spent our afternoon at an arts centre - they put on a special drum performance and we also danced and did some acting. One of the locals we met was in star the film - City of God, this is a film based on a true story of life in a favela and the dangers of living there.


I better go - need to get something to eat.

Will keep updating

Nick

Sugar Loaf Visit

As it was a Sunday we had some downtime to relax - This afternoon we went to Sugar Loaf mountain, it required 2 cable cars to get to the top each taking about 5 minutes. The views of Rio were breath taking and we timed it perfectly so we could see the sun set. I have put a couple of photos with this post of Sugar Loaf. Off out soon for something to eat then were all going to the beach for a game of football - Will need an early night tonight as back to Portuguese lessons tomorrow!

 

Nick

Week 1

I have been in Brazil for just over a week now and it has flown by! I have been very busy and I am now able to hold a small conversation in Portuguese. This morning myself and the other fellows visited a local market where we bought lots of fruit and vegetables which was then used to make lunch at the language school - Luckily each group managed to get what was on their shopping list and some of us even negotiated in Portuguese. I am now back in the hotel writing this, later this evening we are going out to Lapa which is a area in Rio with many bars - Everybody is trying to get some sleep before this evening.

On thursday we visited Fort Santa Cruz da Barra - This was used to protect Guanabara Bay from invasion. I have uploaded a few photos from the visit. The view was amazing particularly the view of the Sugar Loaf.

I must dash, need to have a rest before this evening. Keep checking for updates

Nick

What have I been up to?

You have probably noticed that most of my posts have been lacking context. I have been very busy recently and had limited time on the internet. I am going to update you on what I have been up to and what ill be doing in the coming days.

Starting off with Portuguese lessons, every day I have been having a lesson that's about 3 hours long after this we go out an use the language and see more of Brazil. Portuguese is a tough language but I'm picking it up quickly!

I also visited a modern art gallery - this is the building that looks like a spaceship. The exhibitions were from local Brazilian artists and it gave me the opportunity to understand more about Brazilian arts and culture. Each piece of work subtly told a story or an image from around Brazil.

The following day (yesterday) we all went to a favela. This favela has been fighting crime and has succeeded. The common issues of drug trafficking and gun crime have been eradicated. There is a huge community in the favela and everybody works together to make the community stronger. There was a shop that had been set up with the help of an NGO that sold clothing produced by the locals; me and a few other fellows are looking into starting a business that will sell this clothing in Brazil. I have posted a few photos of the favela on this post.

I have a few activities coming up in the next few days such as hand gliding and a visit to a fortress as well as dinners with NGO representatives and of course more Portuguese lessons!
I will keep you up to date with what I'm up to.

Thanks again

Nick

I have been very busy recently - Had my first few Portuguese lessons also been to to a local modern art gallery - MAC Art Gallery - (Museum of Contemporary Art). I have put some more photos up on here. Take a look. Drop me an email for anymore details / Information

Thanks nick

Football in Rio...

Just got back from the most amazing football match I have ever been to, will post a bit more later but here are a few photos. First lesson in Portuguese tomorrow, should be interesting!

Another day in Rio...

Starting my language ourse tomorrow, cannot wait as currently my portuguese is very limited. Today is my day off, all the fellows have planned to go to the beach and then were off to a football match at the maracana stadium - this apparently is huge and has a capacity of 200,000, the atmosophere will be amazing. Check out more of the photos, I will keep updating the blog.

1st Day in Brazil

26hrs later, arrived in Rio De Janeiro! Minimal sleep and still posting on my blog now. Managed to find some locals to play football on the beach with, we won which was a surprise! I have posed some photos of rio from the air and ground. The city is constantly buzzing and crossing roads is proving to be hard as drivers never stop.

Got a great few weeks lined up. Will keep updating. Hope you like the photos

Nick

All Set

Ready to go , sat in Heathrow Terminal 4. I have a 12hr flight ahead. Checked the bag in and was over the weight limit but yeh the Brazilians were cool with it. Will keep posting.

Nick

Newspaper feature!

In todays Evening telegraph. I should be linking up with them and writing articles for them during my time in Brazil. Keep checking the blog and the paper!

Not long to go now!

Time to start packing

So I set off in 3 days. I think it's time to start packing! Earlier today I had a few photos taken for the Evening Telegraph so keep your look out for that - It should be in this weeks paper. If you want to contact me please email me.

I'll let you know how the packing goes!


Nick

7 Days To Go

In one week I will be setting off! I'm very excited but my to do list is constantly growing!

Next Monday I have an interview with the Evening Telegraph, so look out for me in there.

I'll keep updating you

Back Home

OK so I am now back home and I have started to make a To Do list, hopefully this will ensure I am fully prepared within 2 weeks before I go to Brazil.

The 2 Charities I came across at KPMG were Free The Children and Kickstart Kids International. Both charities are clearly having a very large impact on the people they work with and aim to be fully financially and economically sustainable to ensure communities can run themselves with out requiring constant funding.

If you are interested please contact me for more details or check out

Free the Children - www.freethechildren.com
Kickstart Kids International - www.kickstartkidsinternational.com

Thanks

Nick

End of Pre Departure

Writing this in St Pancras. Now on the way back home from the pre departure briefing; next time I see all the Brazil fellows will be at the airport! Spent this morning at the London KPMG office, came across some amazing charities that are involved with the business and thoroughly enjoyed gaining a greater understanding of what KPMG do.

Will update soon and will post up links of charities

Nick

Day 2 in London

Had a busy day meeting fellows that are going to Brazil - it's slowly becoming more of a reality that I will be in Brazil 2 weeks from now. This evening I had an evening reception where I met many people from business linked to the fellowship along with Neil Kinnock.

Keep looking out for updates