Looking Back

My time here in Brazil has been many things: enriching and frustrating, inspiring and maddening. While there are things I will find in the future to look back fondly on, when my plane leaves the tarmac I will, in general, have little love lost.  That being said, as I reflect on the last three years of life and travel, I will focus on the positive experiences that may seduce travelers to choose Brazil as a place worthy of visiting.

1. Colonial Towns - Brazil has a fascinating history of European settlers from a variety of nations attempting to lay claim to a part of the new world. Thanks mostly to the Dutch and Portuguese, there are a number of colonial towns still in a good condition along Brazil's coastlines as well as inland due to early mining and agriculture. I've had the pleasure of visiting Paraty in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Olinda in the state of Pernambuco, and Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais. Each takes you back in time as you navigate hazardous cobble-stoned streets and slow down to wonder what is was like as one of the first inhabitants of this continent.

The picturesque town of Paraty.

While neighboring Olinda gets a lot more tourists, the old town of Recife,
which dates to the same time period, is worth a visit as well.

2. Rio - This city was easily one of my favorites in all of Brazil. I can't explain it other that to say I love the carioca spirit!  If I had lived closer I would have been camped out at Posto 9 on Ipanema ever chance I got. Nevertheless, I did manage to visit four times in three years, a couple of those for a week!  My advice for travelers: come once to do the touristy stuff - Pão de Açúcar, Christ the Redeemer (or skip this...ugh!), the Centro/Lapa district and Selaron Steps, and the Botanical Gardens - then come back again and beach until you can no longer beach.

Rio at Carnaval is just as spectacular as you would hope.
The energy of dancing until sunrise in the Sambadrome is contagious!

One of my favorite places in Rio, other than the beaches,
and a must-see for any tourist - the Botanical Gardens.

Ipanema beach at sunset...sigh

Paçoquita is a popular brand of paçoca.
(Photo source)

3. Paçoca - You know the inside of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?  It's that but without the chocolate and more peanutty-tasting. The bakery near my apartment, Riviera, sells homemade versions which are delicious and not as sweet.
I love these plain or as a topping on açai. Speaking of...

4. Açaí - This "super food" is pretty pricey outside of Brazil, but in the country it is easy to find and worth the cost. Made from a berry, and served frozen with guaraná mixed in, it is delicious on the beach with bananas, granola, and paçoca...or basically whatever you want: strawberries, condensed milk, chocolate syrup, honey, etc. They may eat it at health-food shops in L.A., but it Brazil it is treated like ice cream. I have no problem with that.

This delicious monstrosity from a trip to Guarujá is topped
with papaya, granola, condensed milk, and banana.

5. Inhotim - This massive outdoor sculpture garden slash installation museum located in the middle of nowhere in Minas Gerais about an hour from Belo Horizante is a must see. If you "don't get" contemporary or modern art, Inhotim just might change your mind, but be prepared for sore feet and a sensory overload by the end of the day because you are part of the art here. Not to mention all of this takes place in what amounts to a gorgeous botanical garden.  I don't know why this place isn't a bigger deal!

"Invenção da cor"
by Brazilian artist Hélio Oiticica.

"Narcissus Garden"
by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.

6. Oscar Niemeyer - The architect of the UN Building in New York, Niemeyer's designs are all over Brazil, especially dominating Brasília, which he helped plan from the ground up. A proud communist who did not believe in private ownership of the earth, one common thread of his work is that all ground floors are open to the public, many literally so. Niemeyer also does things with concrete that seem to defy gravity.

Brasilia's Museu Nacional H. Guimarães with the National Cathedral
in the background, all designed by Niemeyer.

Niemeyer has several works in São Paulo's Memorial da América Latina,
including the Salão de Atos building.

7. A praia - Brazil knows how to do beaches. Whether in Rio, Recife, Ubatuba, or Guarujá, you find a spot, rent a few chairs, an umbrella, spread out your canga, and wait for the cerveja and açai vendors to stroll by. It's that simple. Don't forget your sunga!

Praia Trindade between Ubatuba and Paraty.

In preparing for my next adventure in Malaysia I received a preemptive email from the shipping company several months ago cautioning about the complications Brazilian customs often inflict. To quote: "As you are aware, Brazil is a very different and peculiar country when it comes to customs and other related formalities."

"Different and peculiar."

I think I'll just let this blog end with that...

Tchau for Now

June is a time of endings. For teachers it is a notch in the belt for another year of a challenging career come to a close. It is a time to say goodbye to current students and farewell to graduating seniors.  As this my last year in Brazil I am saying bittersweet goodbyes to everyone. As excited I am for what the future in Asia holds, the students here have been the best part of my job and I will do my best to hold on to those memories whenever I look back.

First up in the goodbyes was Senior Graduation:

I love graduations for the traditions that are unique to each school.
Here students are escorted to the stage during the processional by a parent.

I never taught any of the students in this class, however, I did serve as their CAS
Coordinator the last two years. I had the opportunity to get to know a few students
through other school events, such as last year's trip to Europe, including these two:
my fellow ginger and my favorite Salvadoran, both of whom share the latest
in reggaeton hits with me, as well as being intelligent and talented students.

Next up, 8th grade Promotion. I began my time here with these monsters as crazy little sixth graders fresh out of elementary school. I'm still amazed we both made it out of that year alive!  I had the pleasure - and it was! - to have half of them again this year as I was asked to step in to take over an 8th grade Physical Science course at semester.

The Colombian contingent of the class. Viva la tierra querida!

This Fernanda.
She's a bit teary here, but she's been in my class twice now and served as my
office/locker neighbor all year, never missing a day saying, "Good Morning, Stetty!"

The day after 8th grade Graduation I received the above email from John
and made an appearance on his Instagram.

Final farewells. I've known my current ninth graders for three years now. I met them as 7th graders, had daily contact with them outside my CAS Office door where their lockers were located throughout their 8th grade year, and again for Biology as Freshmen.  These are some of the nicest and easiest kids I have ever taught...and I had them twice!

My 9th graders gifted me with a framed group photo from our class trip.

While not always easy, my first cohort of IB Biology students grew on me.  It took us awhile to figure each other out and get into a good rhythm, but I am happy with our progress and how much they have grown over the year.  I am confident they will continue to be great and I look forward to hearing about how they do on their exams a year from now!

Facebook posting from one of my IB Bio students of a photo from the last day
of IB activities with all the departing IB teachers and a couple other students.

One of the great things about International Schools is that the students often spread to the far corners of the Earth. I have run in to former students and colleagues in airports, met for lunch in New York City or Miami or Rio, and shared successes and odd remembrances over Facebook.  For many of these faces it isn't goodbye so much as a tchau...for now.

Wonderful farewell speech given by one of the 8th grade students who I taught
this last semester and as a 6th grader my first year here.
Moments like this remind me that, despite frustrations with work,
I am a teacher because of the kids, above all else.