Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre 'City Hall'

It was about 33°C (91°F) but Santa and Mrs. Clause are still dressed for a cold winter

Coffee shop inside of a former bank vault

Catedral Metropolitana of Porto Alegre

View of the City

Chimarrão is a typical te-like drink found in Southern Brasil, Argentina, and Uruguay (known as mate in Spanish).   It is drunk from a special mug called a cuia and everyone shares the same cup and bomba (straw).  One drinks it until you  hear the 'slurp' sound then refills the cuia and passes it to the next person.  

You could rent bikes for the day. ride all over the city, and return them in another location.  Great way to explore!

Sunset from the Porto Alegre Airport

Porto Alegre from the plane

Rio de Janeiro II

For the second time in nearly 6 months, I saw rain; it had to come while was at one of the most famous beaches in the world.  However, the two short days in Rio de Janeiro were incredible.  I had the opportunity to meet some incredible people from all over the world as well as explore some of the main attractions in the marvellous city.  

Catedral Metropolitna do Rio de Janeiro

Incredible design with cone shape.  Very different from the norms here.  

Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf  Mountain)

View of Corcovado and Cristo Redentor from Pão de Açúcar

View of Praia Copacabana from Pão de Açúcar

View of Praia Copacabana and Corcovado from Pão de Açúcar

One last morning on Copacabana Beach before heading to the Airport

Rio de Janeiro I

View of Rio de Janeiro from the top of Corcovado (Statue Cristo Redentor) 

View of Rio de Janeiro with Estádio do Maracanã just left of center

Cristo Redentor

Escadaria de Selarón (Stairs of Selarón) were a lifetime work by a Chilean Jorge Selarón who fell in love with Rio de Janeiro and settled there.  He began painting and making tiles when he had time and money to do so and decorated stairs.  Eventually, the work became famous and many began sending tiles from around the world to represent their country, cause, or organisation.  

Not quite as impressive from the top of the Stairs

Preparations continue throughout Brasil for the World Cup next Summer

Arcos da Lapa were originally constructed as an aqueduct for the city 

Un abrir y cerrar de Ojos

And just like that, in the blink of an eye the semester is done.  I look at the countdown to your left and cannot believe how little time is left on it - how little time I have left here.  It has truly been a wonderful semester.  I don't even know where to begin telling how rewarding this experience has been.  I've met wonderful people, seen amazing sights, learned invaluable lessons, and there is still a bit more to come.  A lot of people like to travel, but few live abroad, and the difference is like night and day.  Part of me still cannot believe that I am even here.  Chile, you have, without a doubt, been a dream come true, and I am looking forward to my last few weeks here in La Joya del Pacífico.

Polly's done with school, too!

Going-away party for the exchange students this semester

Exposition of Traditional Chilean dances

A Walk by the Sea

This was by far one of the coolest walks along the beach I've taken since being in Chile.  Check out what I came across below!

A group of sea lions