Brazil – A Reflection

Brazil – A Reflection

Two weeks ago I left on a 7pm flight for Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup.  It was hard to know what Brazil would be like based on all of the media coverage, mostly negative, that was leading up to such a big event in a country that is struggling on so many levels.  Was it safe?  There were a few people who questioned why I would actually go on a trip like this.  This did not stop me from wanting to go.

Brazil is an absolutely amazing country because of its people.  Even though life in Brazil is difficult for so many, there is a warmth that is felt when traveling to various places.  Did I see a pumped-up security force in Brazil due to the large-scale protests during the Confederations Cup a year ago?  Possibly.  But I also ventured to places that were not full of tourists like Belo Horizonte and it was evident here that life in Brazil was similar to what it is day to day.

There were many highlights on this trip and these have fed the desire to return to this beautiful country again some day soon.  I hope Brazil survives and thrives after both the World Cup and Olympic games.  It is hard to tell today what the effects will be from these events, but I would like to hope that the people who visited Brazil during these times have a better understanding of the country and speak kindly of it.

Here below are some of my best memories of this two-week trip.  Every day had special moments but these are some of the ones that I enjoyed the most.

I do have a suggestion for Brazilians when it comes to food.  Please put more vegetable options on the menu!  One can only eat meat, rice and potatoes so many days in a row.  I know there is an abundance of vegetables grown but they just seem to be so scarce in restaurants.

Now with the trip over, I can continue to watch the World Cup from Upstate New York and wish that I was there.  But I will always know that I had such a great time in Brazil and it fulfilled everything I was hoping this bucket list trip would be.