The Voice of Colors: Rita, Eduardo, and Jorge in Rio

Streetart is becoming more and more not only tolerated, but recognized and promoted. Especially in South America, it has a long tradition - as a medium where colors give the people a voice.

#favelismo - an art movement turning poverty and humiliation into power and pride. That's what great street art stands for.

I'm introducing Rita Wainer, Eduardo Kobra, and Jorge Selarón, three of the greatest urban artists that left ineradicable traces in Rio de Janeiro.

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I am what I am...and what I am is not a person who likes carnival

I am what I am.... - the beginning of Gloria Gaynor's evergreen is the perfect intro to a post I wrote last year during the carnival in Brazil.

Since yesterday, this year's edition of the world-famous event is taking place.

Bar on the Copacabana beach

So carnival - yay or nay?

Spoiler alert: I am what I am, and what I am is not a person that likes carnival; anywhere in the world.

And here you can read why.

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Guide to RIO DE JANEIRO

(Updated February 2019)

Rio de Janeiro could be the most beautiful city on the planet: The ocean, the beaches, the hills, the vegetation, the views....I could go on and on.

Icons of Rio de Janeiro unite! The Sugar Loaf to the left, the Dois Irmãos all the way in the back at the end of the beaches, Christ the Redeemer and one of the many favelas. You can see all this going up by tram to the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa.

But then there is the poverty, the violence, the hopelessness, the corruption, the dirt....I could go on and on.

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Class of Brazil - 5th Lesson: I Call Them Like I See Them

The change of cities - a couple of days ago I came from Rio to São Paulo - gave me a new perspective on things. I was thinking a lot: about travelling, about blogging...about travel-blogging. Why do I travel? Why am I blogging? What is my intention? What is your expectation? Are they always compatible? Do they have to be?

A son of Brazil - a mural dedicated to Brazil and its youth.

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I am what I am...

...and what I am needs no excuses - the beginning of Gloria Gaynor's evergreen is the perfect intro to this post, which deals with my perspective on the Carnival in Rio, an extremely gay event - gay in every sense of the word.

Bar on the Copacabana beach

Carnival in Brazil - yay or nay? Spoiler alert: I am what I am, and what I am is not a person who likes carnival; anywhere in the world.

this way to read the whole story >>>

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Class of Brazil - 2nd Lesson: Danger Seems Closer from Afar

At the beginning of this post stands a confession: the confession that the closer the departure date for Brazil got, the more I got nervous; by the day before my departure I was a wreck.

A gentleman selling Cangas, typical Brazilian beach scarves, on the beach of Ipanema.

I wonder how many people miss out on great travel opportunities only because danger looks bigger, closer and more probable from afar. Maybe God is tricking us that way so that not every destination derogates to a horrific spring break feast.

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Class of Brazil - 1st Lesson: We Have it Good

Since I came to Rio de Janeiro two days ago, it's been cloudy and rainy. It's still a great, beautiful and very impressive city, though, even in the rain. However, I must admit that the purpose of my stay makes it easy for me to cope with any kind of weather, since I'm not on a regular vacation.

This is what 'Bildungsurlaub' also stands for: Getting inspired by seeing things from a new perspective!
Here at Rio's Jardim Botanico, an beautiful, serene oasis not far from the beach of Ipanema.
There is not only an eclectic mix of untamed nature growing next to manicured lawns and flowerbeds, decorated with old, weathered statues and fountains. There is also an exhibition of modern art taking place.
My favorite piece is an installation by Gustavo Prado called "Caminho Inverso"/"Reversed Path". It consists of about thirty mirrors facing the top of the palm tree alley which shows you the plants from many, many....different perspectives!

Let me finally explain why I came to Brazil and what I'm doing here:

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