Babies, Boston Bakery, and LOLLA BRASIL!!!

I always intend to write a post every day during the weekends, but I always end up getting distracted and having MUCH too much fun until I scramble to transcribe all of the memories on Sunday night.

But what a weekend to remember! A late start to classes on Friday allowed for restful sleeping in and three snoozed alarms as I tried over and over to wake up for an early workout. Though I eventually got to that exercise, it took me a few hours to get to that point. Up to then, I was doing--

--while dozing. YAWN.

The three hours of class that we had on Friday felt way more like the college norm that I've gotten used to back at school. Sally and I skidaddled back home and I enjoyed the beautiful sunset views before we headed to a host family get-together.

Because I'm a loser, here are some sky pics.

breathtaking

you can see the sun, moon, clouds, and sunset, OMG

For the first time, the entire host fam was together--including my host mom, Maria, my host sisters Liza and Lara (wahoo, the Australian is home!), my host niece, Maria Luisa, and my roommate, Sam!! I loved introducing them to all of my friends and showing off the adorable Maria Luisa to every single person. THAT'S RIGHT LOSERS, I GET TO LIVE WITH THE MOST ADORABLE BABY IN THE WORLD.

sucks for all of your boring homestayzzz

We ate delicious homemade Brazilian food, enjoyed conversation starters (and I almost understood some of the Portuguese answers!!!), and chilled out.

I honestly continue to be amazed by humans' ability to communicate even without common verbal language. Deciphering tone, watching subtle facial expressions, reading gestures... It's so cool to converse with other and find that I understand their points and ideas even without completely understanding every word that is said.

Anyway, here's the adorable host fam.

#girlpower, am i right?

Though most of my peers chose to head out to some bars and clubs in order to rageeeee, I accurately assessed my energy store for the weekend and chose to get right to sleep. Because Saturday was...... LOLLAPALOOZA!!!!!!

this is from Lolla Brasil 2013, weeee

After dressing in my most ~hippie~ attire for the "Woodstock of our generation" (trademarked by Sally Lindsay), I dragged my group of amazing friends to a brunch place called Boston Bakery. 

awhhh!

Like duh, I chose it, because underneath my rowdy and loud disgust for Bahston, maybe at heart, my soul leaps a little when I see this--

The restaurant had salads named after Boston schools and paninis named after famous Boston locations, and I almost cried looking at all of the incredible Bostonian decor. Sally, a born-and-bred New Yorker, showed some slight disgust for the Red Sox jersey framed next to our table that swelled from minor disdain to outspoken, loudly yelled loathing for the city and the baseball team. By the end of our visit, Sally had snagged the jersey and laid it on the ground, "where it deserves."

From brunch, we hopped in an Uber to get to the Lolla racetrack. The drive, which took a legitimate hour, actually was pretty fun. Our driver allowed us to blast American music and jam out while yelling lyrics wholeheartedly. The highlight of our ride was singing alongside a car full of Brazilians, also heading to Lolla and listening to the same radio station!!! We met them for real after both of our drivers pulled over for a quick bathroom break.

flower crowns are an international phenomenon

The concert was unbelievable. We watched Of Monsters and Men, Halsey, Mumford and Sons, Die Antwoord (which was literally a nightmare--like I actually thought I had fallen asleep and entered an evil unconscious world), and Marina and the Diamonds (LOVE THEM). In Sally's words, which I keep stealing because they're beautiful, it was a generational odyssey. I felt like I was floating on the lyrics of my favorite songs.

And here are some pics!

flower crown and flash tat--a true festival attendee

Mumford and Sons!

me and bestpalsalgal

so close to Marina's stage!!!

the cover for our next album

In our state of music-induced joy, we decided that we could handle taking public transportation back to our homes. It took two hours, but hey, we handled it pretty well. Not having a seat on the subway back after hours of standing at a music festival was only this frustrating--

kind of kidding

Sally and I stuffed our faces with leftover dinner at 1 AM upon our return home and promptly passed out.

I woke up this morning feeling completely refreshed but with a swollen ankle due to an unfortunate meeting between my leg and a slamming car door (ouch). I iced it with the Brazilian version of frozen peas, aka a bag of pre-made pao com queijo (bread with cheese). I spent the entire day--ENTIRE DAY--reading, doing homework, and watching numerous Netflix movies.

Honestly, though I had the opportunity to attend a fascinating political street protest--which I absolutely know I would have loved--I'd basically depleted my ability to withstand crowds, loud noises, and walking for the weekend, so I decided to chill with bebe Maria Luisa for the afternoon.

Seriously, what a fantastic weekend. I loved being with my friends, with my host family; I loved enjoying the gorgeous weather and wearing a fun 60's inspired outfit and wrapping myself in the festival music; I adored my freedom and independence and my late teens/early twenties euphoria. My past few months have felt like the epitome of my youth, the physical manifestation of a fulfilled wanderlust, and the breathless wonder of appreciating the world. GOD I'M SO HAPPY!

...... Just remembered I have class tomorrow and that I have to make a presentation.

Dangit.

Well... Good night, mah dears.

Peace, love, soul,

Aubrey Noelle

Street Art and "Sickness"

My third week of Brazilian classes started slowly. Getting out of bed Monday morning looked (and felt) like

do I have to get up?

I got my act together, though, and crawled out from under my blankets, guzzled down a few cups of coffee, and dozed on the bus on the way to what would be a fascinating (and super unique) day of learning. The day began with an hour-long lecture on graffiti and street art in Sao Paulo... However, my professor found a way to talk for an entire 45 minutes without mentioning the words "street art" or "graffiti" even once.

It is, though. It is.

LUCKILY, Sally, Izzy, and Austin gave a fascinating twenty-minute talk on the subject, so I actually learned quite a bit about the street art movement in the city.

Me cheering for Sally in class

The brief review that the student group presented laid the groundwork for a fascinating panel of four graffiti artists and taggers from Sao Paulo. They described their backgrounds, which were mostly impoverished and frustrating, and spoke about how tagging and graffiti allowed them to express their identity and existence in a city that strives to ignore them. TBH I'm never really one for breaking the rules--I would rather carry a gum wrapper for 20 minutes than throw it on the ground, and I call the bank when they accidentally deposit someone's check in my account--but the position of these artists fascinated me, and I yearned to learn more about their drive, passion, and goals.

Luckily, because I'm a student on IHP, I had the chance.

Following lunch, my class split into small groups, each with a different street artist leader, and ventured into Sao Paulo. Our destination, Sao Mateus, is a district in Sao Paulo that is about ~an hour and a half from the city center. We stepped off the bus around 3:15 PM, crowded under umbrellas in attempts to avoid the rain. Though the sky was a stormy gray, and the streets were muffled with a damp pallor, the walls of the city shone with a bright vibrancy. We could already see the work of the group of our leader, Fernando.

one of the first pieces completed by Fernando's group, OPNI

So bright and beautiful; a collaboration with a Canadian artist

An artwork completed by three different women--each one contributed one of the figures!

one of my personal favorites--a woman inspired and strengthened by her ancestors. her arm tattoo reads "luta," or "fight," as in, fight for your rights

Though the neighborhood was impoverished, and though some of the paint was beginning to peel, the area felt alive. Fernando explained the excitement and pride evoked by this art in the inhabitants. Trash littered some of the streets, and buildings were a little bit shabby, but the art was beautiful and it made the residents happy. Some of the images also conveyed messages. This one for example--

Reads, "return our childhood." Another work, which showed the Corinthians soccer stadium (in which I actually watched a game) and several Brazilians engaged in illicit and dangerous activities, protested the monetary investment in the World Cup and the Olympics while the people of the country were starving and suffering. 

I tend to express myself through writing (hence my numerous love letters to boys who *shockingly* tend not to return the sentiment), but I have always expected and admired artists' abilities to convey a message through images and without words. Hence, the street art and graffiti of Sao Mateus enthralled and inspired me.

Fernando also expressed how much the people loved to get their houses painting. Whenever they see members of his group, OPNI, walking through the streets holding spray cans and paint, they run out of their homes, excitedly requesting images on their empty buildings. Unfortuantely, Fernando said, they simply didn't have the time to acquiesce to these demands--though someday, they hope to cover every blank wall in Sao Mateus with color.

Sao Mateus, in progress

Fernando then led us to Sao Mateus em Movimento, an organization dedicated to the empowerment and education of neighborhood children. To be completely honest, I almost cried listening to Fernando's description of this center that is so integral to the well-being and future of the youth in this area. "These kids," he explained, "walk around with their arms crossed, and their eyes blank." They do not have goals, or faith in their own futures. Sao Mateus em Movimento aims to inspire children by teaching skills, by providing a space to do homework and read, and by giving them options. 

This, this, this. This, I truly and honestly believe, is the solution to so many problems, and here are members of a community, acting without the help of an ambivalent government and instead on their own initiative, working to give children better lives tahn they would otherwise have. It inspired me, and meeting the center's workers sparked a drive in me to participate in a center like this one back home. I honestly believe that places like Sao Mateus em Movimento have the potential to change so many lives. I was obviously v. impassioned.

That passion didn't fade even a little bit during the thirty-minute bus ride or hour-long subway ride, with two transfers, back home. The half-mile walk in the pouring rain may have damped it slightly, though.

A delicious, hot dinner was waiting for me at home, though, as were a pair of super cute sandals from my host family!!!!

they even have a Brazilian flag on the strap!!!

I love them a ton, and I love that my host family gifted them to me!

Though I got to sleep pretty early last night, I woke up this morning exhausted. I decided to throw in the towel and plead ill to take the day off.

Though I had huge plans for my afternoon--including Soul Cycle, a jog, and a trip to the library--I instead basically just laid in bed and read my book.

Classic me.

I did, however, go to the neighborhood farmer's market with my host sister and her gorgeous daughter! I had so much fun marvelling at the fruit stands selling exotic and unfamiliar produce, including the "caqui," which a kind seller let me taste. 

(To remember the name of this fruit, I had to google "fruit that looks like a tomato" then translate "persimmon" into Portuguese.)

I also ate two unbelievable "pastels," which, as I may have described before, as fried dough pockets of meat and cheese. I also drank this unbelievable concoction of sugar cane juice, pineapple, and lime. After trying these out-of-this-world treats, I was like--

I literally forgot food could taste this delicious.

I also had the chance to hold and play with Maria Luisa, my six-month-old host niece, and I only wished I had a baby for like, five minutes.

Then I think about the crying and how much I love sleep and how impatient/selfish I am, not to mention my perpetual singlehood, and I'm like,

However, I showered my love on Maria Luisa and even gave her a little souvenir from back home--

I spent a good part of the afternoon chatting with my host mom (Maria) and host sis (Liza) about food, dating, and bad words in English. It was such a relaxing and fun and wonderful day, and I'm oh-so happy I was "sick."

Now I just have to muster the motivation to return to class tomorrow... ugh. For now, though, I'll start a new book, watch Netflix, and gain ten more pounds during a delicious dinner. My spring break self is begging me to put down the fork and pick up a dumbbell, but I'll deal with my jiggly consequences in a week once I really start panicking about my bikini.

Ciao, amigas (it is, after all, International Women's Day),

Aubrey

The Last Day

Can't believe that my time in Costa Rica has come to an end. It's been an absolutely lovely trip with my family, and today only added to the fabulousness.

We got up early this morning to drive on out to a river boat cruise. Before getting into the van, we fed some adorable birds that came to our balcony.

Ritz are their snack of choice

I felt like Snow White

Along the way, we saw some pretty hilarious sights--the kind you can only really experience outside the United States.

First, we saw numerous cars passing another car on the main highway--a police car to be exact. Can you imagine ever passing a police car back in the States!? Those cops could be going only 20 miles an hour, and we'd be like, "take your time, we are in no hurry, wow look at that view out the window!" When our van passed the police car, we were all like--

ohgodohgodohgod

Don't even worry, though--the cops actually pulled over to the side of the road for us so that we could get around. What the heck is this place?

Then, we saw a fire smolderingon the side of the road. "What is that???" we asked our guide. He looked at it nonchalantly. "Oh, somebody probably just threw their cigarette out the window."

It was absurd!!! I guess people just kind of start fires??? Craziness.

A few minutes later, we stopped for some breakfast at a bakery. 

The bakery

With our incessant questions and obnoxious American accents, we were already annoying af. Then, in trying to describe to us one of the muffins, our server pulled out a pen and a pad of paper.

OH OH OH OH!!!

We were so excited--we thought we were going to play Pictionary! We all gathered around, cheering her on as she drew on the pad. She just looked at us like we were crazy and wrote the word "vanilla" on the paper. 

Whoops. We are such aggravating Americans.

We then stopped at a small community center for some souvenirs and coffee. I enjoyed a small cup of Costa Rican espresso with Golden Cream--or what they call "Costa Rican Bailey's."

Delish morning pick-me-up

Right before we got to the river, our guide asked for our names and ages. "19, 17, 14," we rattled off. As we enumerated the last age, the guide looked to me. Nope. I'm the 19 year old.

Aubs was unamused.

Anyway, we finally got to the river and clambered aboard our boat. Though the rules about interacting with the wildlife were very clear--

Our guides chose to ignore them. They threw raw beef and chicken to all of the crocodiles that we encountered, as well as lured monkeys onto our boat with assorted snacks!! So fun.

I've also decided that crocodiles are about the scariest freaking animals on this planet. Watching a six-foot reptile eat raw meet then stare at me with scary, lethal eyes basically made me realize that I was going to die by crocodile. I just know it. IT WAS MADNESS.

We saw monkeys, crocs, a multitude of birds, itty bitty bats, iguanas, butterflies, and dragonflies. It was an absolute adventure.

We then drove to a very authentic Costa Rican place for lunch. 

Yum!!!

Our view from the restaurant that was actually a family's backyard

Then, we headed back to a town right outside the resort to look around and walk on the beach. Honestly, we were all so exhausted after this past week in the sun that we just passed out back in our house. We've been hanging out together, enjoying our last few hours of family time before we head back to California tomorrow. 

It's been an absolutely incredible trip and a wonderful way to start 2016. Couldn't be luckier to have such a loving family and the opportunity to travel to a country as stunning as Costa Rica. I can't believe this is only the beginning (:

Puda Vida (or, Pure Life/a Costa Rican saying),

Aubrey

Bright, Bright Sunshine-y Days

It's been *quite* an amazing past two days--especially because I'm about 29 shades darker than I was on Sunday, hallelujah. Lots of adventure and lots of sun for the Stoddard fam!

Yesterday, we awoke early in order to take full advantage of the beautiful weather. Moo, my dad, and I trekked down to stuff ourselves with a hot breakfast--only to find that THERE WAS NO FULL BREAKFAST ON WEEKDAYS. JUST FRUIT.

me tryna keep it together

So, I had some more granadilla like the ~local~ that I am plus tons and tons of sweet pineapple that tasted almost Hawaiian it was so delicious, then three-fifths of the Stod clan walked on down to the beach. We tanned and read our books until Si and my mom joined us an hour later.

Si, Moo, and I were desperate to go paddle-boarding (even though we aren't exactly experts or the best balancers), so we rented a few out from the hotel. We were super excited!!!--until they warned us about the sea snakes.

wut

THEN some of the beach-goers pronounced with all-knowing looks that these snakes were deathly poisonous.

WHAT

Absurd!!!! I wasn't about to die for some physical exertion, so I was all ready to check those boards back in. Just as I was dragging the board back up shore, when we got the "all clear" on the sea snakes. Apparently, they're so tiny, the only place they can latch on to you is the skin between your thumb and forefinger. As long as you don't let them grab on, you'll be fine.

basically

We honestly all thought that keeping our hands out of the water wouldn't be too difficult; however, our terrible balance meant we were constantly falling. Our fear was not assuaged at all by Si and Moo's spotting of a snake in the water next to us!!!

one of the few moments I was able to stand up

We ended up getting distracted by a vendor walking along the street selling homemade bracelets and anklets with seeds from the beach and imported turquoise. We each bought two.

the babe of a seller himself

We ran up to the beach club's restaurant to get some lunch before going snorkeling. Although our waiter promised our meal would only take twenty minutes to prepare, it ended up taking more than an hour to get our food. We were like--

Especially when my dad realized his lasagna didn't even have noodles--it was just cheese and veggies.

After lunch, we headed out to a catamaran (this cool raised boat thing) that would take us to the coast of a small, uninhabited island to snorkel. Honestly, though, I think my favorite part of the entire day was just laying on the deck of the boat with my sisters, soaking in the sun.

Snorkeling, though, was pretty fun, too. We saw a stingray, a lionfish, and a prickly fish, and we even got to pet a blowfish! Fun stuff! 

We rode back to the mainland at sunset, and I think it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

The gold and the navy--stunning combo

The sky was perfectly violet!

Tan or tomato, you decide

This has probably been my favorite part of the trip so far. I don't know if it was growing up in a close-ish proximity to the beach, or perhaps it was playing water polo for four years, but I feel most at home on the water. I think I may just retire onto a boat, or sail around the world in a few years, or maybe just live as a mermaid. Any of those options would work for me.

The night finished perfectly with an early screening of The Bachelor #TeamOlivia

This morning, we woke up bright and early to go white water rafting!!! It literally took three hours of driving in four different vehicles to get to the river--but it definitely ended up being worth it. Rivers are scaled from Category 1 to Category 5, and the river on which we were travelling was about a Category 3--didn't stop me from screaming like a lil child at every slight turn.

However, my anxiety was validated when our raft flipped going over some giant rapids--TWICE IN A ROW. 

Me, Si, and Moo

The ride was such a blast, especially with our awesome guides. It took us another few hours to get back to the hotel, and we just about passed out after our return. We've been relaxing and watching TV as a fam for a few hours, and Moo and I are now watching my fave movie in the whole wide world.

Tomorrow is our last full day in the country--should be an amazing one!!!!

Sunkissed and Content,

Aubrey