Milestone COMPLETE! (Brazil)

I’m finally getting a chance to post about my trip a few weeks after getting home. I get excited even thinking about it. For those of you who don’t know, its been a looong journey, beginning with adding Christ the Redeemer to my vision board at a point when I had never been out of the country and had no idea when it would happen. Less than a year later…I did it! Who knew it would happen so quickly?

I will be short in my description of the journey because I could go on about it for days. Here are some highlights:

Sao Paulo

First we stopped in Sao Paulo, but only for a 2 hour layover (that ended up becoming 8 hours when our flight was canceled). Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed to leave the airport. 😦

Recife:

I finally got my first taste of Brazil when we landed in Recife. After handling basics like exchanging money, securing hotel rooms (essentially beach front), and going over what my group’s itinerary for the next day.

First things first: we had to eat. My professors took us to a mid-prices buffet-style restaurant (Brazil has plenty of buffets–not the all-you-can-eat kind though). Afterwards we were free to do whatever we pleased so a few of us left dinner early and walked along the beach. Here, I had my very first Caiperina (instantly my favorite alcoholic drink) from a stand on the beach. While walking along the beach we ran into other students who were in our program watching a group of guys play soccer on the beach. It was night time but the beach was well lit. One guy wanted to join and I went with him. They welcomed us with open arms and it was amazing. First of all I hadn’t had the pleasure of playing soccer in easily over 6 years. Secondly, I was playing…Brazil! With people I had never met before. I truly saw the power of sports to bring people together. As a lifetime athlete I can probably recall small moments that resembled it but this was different. We could not understand each other whatsoever, but when we played…we knew exactly what each other was saying. Simple eye contact could mean so much and by the end of the game I had new friends.

Also there was an amazing market right outside of our hotel where locals came and enjoyed music, street performers, street food and simply relaxed. We also went to a Brazilian college’s class where students were learning about business in the U.S.. These people were all locals. Our entire time in Recife we were pretty much the only foreigners we saw.

Salvador

Salvador is my favorite city I visited by far. It is incredibly beautiful and welcoming. It feels like a completely different world. As in Recife, there were pretty much no tourists. The few that were there were visiting from other parts of Brazil in the way many people go to New York and L.A. in the U.S..

We went to the square where Michael Jackson shot his video with the world famous Brazilian the world famous Olodum drummers who operate in the area. Both days we visited the square we danced in an open, joyous and freeing way I have never experienced. The entire square seemed to light up. It was awesome. The first occasion there was an impromptu performance by an older group. They sat down playing a variety of instruments and singing. Most of the people in the square circled around watching, dancing and eating. There was a great spirit in the air and it was infectious. I was taken by the music and completely submerged in the present.

Rio

Rio was our last stop. Unfortunately we were only there for a little over a day I made the most of it. Of each city Rio had the most tourists by far. Still, it is such a global hot spot which  interesting dynamic. It was a cultural melting pot for tourism. Many people only knew there native language and maybe some Portuguese. If someone was not speaking English, German or the 9 words of Portuguese I picked up on the trip, pantomime had to be used to communicate. Being surrounded by so many cultures of people all out of their element, in a land that was foreign to me as well was a unique experienced I had never considered.

Annnnd, of course the highlight was *drum roll please* Christ the Redeemer!

For those who care to see, especially those who have been following my journey, I have a small gift for you in a follow-up post: PICTURES! (I took the thumbnail photo myself btw)

Sorry if this post was a little sporadic. I don’t have time to look over it as I usually do. I have a lot of exciting things going on, meaning I have a lot to post about!

Stay tuned!

Sean

Friend or Foe?

 

“My Best Friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” –Henry Ford

What is a friend? Is a friend someone who comforts you? Is a friend someone who is kind, someone who supports you? Certainly, these are things that a good friend does. However, we must not be myopic with this narrow view of friendship. Let me explain.

Surprise Mail

In the early stages of when I was still finding my place in film, I kept a small novel with me every day. It is called The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I found the book in a used bookstore for a dollar. I remember doing a general scan of the bookshelves when my eyes reverted to it. It was like it was calling to me. That book ended up changing everything I thought about dreams and became the force behind everything I do today.

I decided to write the author and ask for a signed card. A few months passed by, I didn’t receive a reply. By then, I had forgotten I asked for it. One day, I was really down about life in general. Things weren’t working out as I planned it, and it was disheartening. I went to check the mail and found a very dirty envelope stamped from Rio De Janeiro. The Sender’s name was Paulo Coelho. My eyes almost fell out. It didn’t feel real. I opened it, hands shaking, and pulled this out.

I didn’t get those words when I first read it. It just flew right over my head, too distracted that my favorite author just sent me a card. And, it came at the best time. Not even a week later, I found the courage to declare my major in film and tell the wonderful news to my parents. They didn’t think it was so wonderful, but that’s a story for another time. This card was so magical and special to me that I selfishly kept it to myself, but now I want to share it. Maybe it’ll inspire someone else as much as it did me. It might be the pick-me up someone needs or maybe it’ll encourage you to reach out to your favorite person. Whatever it is, let me know! Feel free to share your stories! I’d love to hear them. 🙂 Until next time….

All the best,

Lina

New Project and Opportunity

(Photo by me)

While I was spending my night editing my script for another competition, I received a message from a friend of mine. He and I interned together in a local production company. He’s a very talented director of photography and has an amazing vision for film. He’s been doing so many great things and making a name for himself.

Last night, he asked if I wanted to be the scriptwriter for a short film he was commissioned to make. The goal? To take to the top film festivals and win. Of course, I said yes! This is going to be so exciting and such an experience. I’ve missed collaborating with others so much that I feel like a social prune.  In all the excitement, I always ask myself If I’m even ready to step. In retrospect, I don’t think I can ever be truly ready for anything. Though, I have the tools and the creativity to make something amazing. 🙂 Stay tuned people! Great things are happening this year!

Written by Lina