Urca Military Physical Education School: Sunday at 12:45

Following the training, there is the afterparty of watching the trainers collect all the equipment from the day's session. You like the view? I do. It would be even better if my gatorade was cold, but I am happy that I still have some to drink. I wish you were here. Then, I would politely ask you to help me quickly take off my soccer boots, shinguards and socks. I know it's not a glamorous task, but you would get to share this view with me. Think about it and let me know if you are interested!

Welcome to Brasil!

There is a picture of Brasil that is commonly shown. No, it is not the picture of the scantily clad women on the beach. It is not the picture of famous footballers (soccer players) celebrating a goal or even the pageantry of Carnaval. It is the picture of the statue of Jesus with outstretched arms that hovers above the entire city of Rio de Janeiro.

Today at training, I believe that I officially was provided with the beginning of the type of welcome that this statue has for me during my stay in this lovely country. On the way to training, Pamella did the symbolic catholic air cross today, and I should’ve taken note of that this was a sign. It has been downcast and rainy here since my arrival. However, this morning began differently. It was a bright clear sky this morning as we headed towards GAP, one of two military schools that we train at. We use their exercise facilities (i.e. training fields).

Our session started a little late because there were two men’s teams battling it out in a good game of futebol (soccer). One guy even tried to pull the notorious “hand of God” where he tried to secretly hit the ball up in the air with his hand. However, he was not as fortunate as the soccer legend Maradona (Argentina) because the referee immediately gave him a yellow card! It was hilarious and everyone laughed.

The grass at this facility was real and it is similar to grass in warmer climates. It is real thick. I can’t explain it, but it’s probably the grass we are all supposed to have if we didn’t pollute so much or have change of seasons or something. I am not sure, but I have not ever been a fan of running in it because I know that it comes with the hottest weather known to man.

Speaking of which, did I mention that the sun was out and it was hot? It was that kind of hot that you know in your heart, that no matter what you do, you just can’t escape it. So I put on my sunscreen, warmed up with the rest of the girls and proceeded to play three, thirty minute games with technical and tactical instruction from the coaches.

It was 12:45 p.m. when we finished so you do the math, and think about what the sun feels like, during the summer, in your city. I do not think I need to explain the temperature any further or the girls’ amazement at my tan when I took off my shin guards. Between my training and the beach (which I get to go to as a treat tomorrow), I may return to Atlanta with a UV ray protected, tan that will last me through April 2009.

American Culture in Rio: You May Win A Prize!

Let’s take a moment to see if you can guess what American favorites I still get to see in Rio:

Although the streets of Copacabana are confusing, when I see this restaurant I know that I am a few steps from my temporary residence with Pamella and Marciella. Is it?

a. McDonalds
b. KFC
c. Dominoes Pizza

I was sitting in a pizza restaurant this evening with Pamella, and I laughed when I saw the participants’ antics on this reality show. Is it?

a. Real World Brazil
b. Big Brother Brazil
c. Amazing Race Brazil

Every time Pam’s phone rings, these artists get a check. Is it?
a. Bow Wow and R. Kelly for I’m a Flirt
b. Akon and Young Jeezy for Soul Survivor
c. Beyonce and Jay Z for Upgrade You

Email me at qianamartin@hotmail.com with your answers. The 1st person
to get all three correct answers to me will get a small trinket from Brasil!

P.S. I will tell you that I ordered some maracuja juice yesterday (a type of fruit unique to Brazil) from the pictured McDonald's location above. Could be a hint or not?!

Want to Hustle a Rollercoaster Ride in Rio? Think Again

I can already tell that the start of my days running together is about to begin. As I was walking down the street to catch the bus to training with Pamella this morning, I couldn’t figure out how long I had been here. The reason I was trying to figure it out was because we had a training this morning at around 9:00 a.m. Although I was able to get eight hours of sleep last night, I felt like I couldn’t stay awake walking down the street. My mind and body were operating like it was 4:00 a.m. so I was trying to think about how long it may take me to get adjusted to the time change.

Well, a few buses pass us by on the street and I am getting my fare together (two Reals (the Brazilian dollar) and ten cent (Brazilian ten cent coin)) and the bus arrives. For those of you who have had the opportunity to see the movie City of God, it is the same set-up as in the movie! For those who have not seen the movie, (I highly suggest you see it) the bus has a driver, then a turnstile (kind of like at the amusement park) and a person sitting in a raised seat beside the turnstile. This person collects your money, gives you any necessary change, and operates the turnstile to let you get to a seat.

So for those of you who have hustled your way on to public transportation in other cities, it is definitely not happening here. You have two people watching to make sure the city gets all the money that it is due.

My last two training sessions have been at facilities located outside of the Copacabana area so our bus rides have been pretty long but fast. When I mean fast, I have to say I don’t know what time schedule these bus operators have to keep, but it is literally a rollercoaster ride the whole way there! Each ride has had all the hills, all the curves and everyone holding on to the railing and sliding all over their seats. It always ends an abrupt stop too. I am tempted to start cheering at the end because it is pretty entertaining. It definitely gives the Mine Train (Six Flags-Georgia) a run for its money because I don’t know where the bus is going next, and I don’t know how long the ride is going to last.

Side Note: This blog entry is being written to the sounds of T-Paine’s song Bartender being played from Marciella’s room…

P.S.S. The images are of actual Rio city buses. Please note the blurriness of the second picture. It was going so fast that the lens just couldn't capture the bus clearly...

Finally-A Picture!

I guess the joke is on me because this image refuses to load. I guess it is not time for everyone to see the view from my window on Rua Bolivar in Ed. Oklahoma (Translation: on Bolivar Street in the Oklahoma Building)....

3 Minutes, 3 Situations, 3 Responses

It is about 24 hours since I officially landed in Brasil. The city that I arrived in was Sao Paulo. I had a connecting flight from there to Rio de Janeiro. Right before the plane began its descent, the airline stewardess stopped by everyone’s seat to give them the necessary immigration forms. That is when line 6 or 7 jumped out at me. The question asked me to list the address to where I was going to be residing during my time there. Well, for those of you that are familiar with some of my previous travel/training episodes, you guessed correctly. I doubled checked to make sure I had my visa, passport, bank card, cash, vitamins etc. However, I oddly enough failed to think about bringing a copy of my address. Typically panic would’ve set in, but I quickly decided that I was too far away from home and the Lord would, as usual, take care of this situation (as He has in so many other tight binds I’ve encountered). So I began seeing myself tucked tight in my new bed and I exited the plane in Sao Paulo.

The original departure gate for the flight changed so I was able to patiently find the new gate and realize that the flight was delayed due to technical difficulties. Only thinking positive thoughts, I went to find something to eat. I figured that my later arrival in Sao Paulo would prevent me from possibly eating when I arrived in Rio. I tried to blend in as much as possible and casually look at the menus at this one place, but when I tried to order my selection the store did not have it or something so a lady who spoke some English was kind enough to help me decipher and communicate a chicken salad sandwich…I really wanted tuna, but I didn’t want to press my luck so I went with frango (chicken). Plus, the line was long and everyone was watching this communication debacle that could’ve gotten worse but was quickly handled. So instead of being frustrated with my novice Portuguese communication skills (because I know there will be more instances of communication disconnects), I just decided to be grateful that I had three, tasty mini chicken salad sandwiches to eat.

When I finally entered Immigration and Customs, everything went smoothly without incident and I was greeted by my coach and two players from the team. They rode me around a very busy and festive Carnaval scene in Rio de Janeiro.

About an hour later, Coach Mathias dropped me off with Pamella, one of the players, at a high rise in Copacabana. This is where I will be staying for the time that I am here. It is a nice apartment and I am living with Pamella (18) and her sister Marciella (17). Their mother lives down the hall with their two brothers (5 and 7 respectively).

My morning started with me waking up to the sounds of an average big city. The sounds of cars being driven on wet street and honking horns. However, I knew that this was not Houston, Los Angeles or Atlanta. It was Rio de Janeiro, and I took a picture of the first sights that I saw just for you.

Then, I realized that I left the digital imaging CD in Atlanta. For a few minutes, I was dejected, but after I located a WiFi signal (thank heavens!), I was able to figure out a way to make it work.
In closing, three minutes managed to teach me two very important lessons thus far.

1. Everything has a way of working itself out.
2. You have everything you need to do what you need to do.

I will make sure to keep both of these in mind when I start training tomorrow. Until next time—
Ate Logo! (see you later)

City of Atlanta: Why You Wanna Act Like That?

Change is inevitable, and I try to embrace change in every aspect of my life. However, one must be respectful of how change will affect others. Sometimes I am led to believe that the City of Atlanta is not cognizant of this small, yet important detail.

On Friday evening, I had a small “color enhancement” scheduled with my in-house colorist. Now some work crews were using a jackhammer or other large construction tool a few feet up the street from my residence. The noise could prove to be irritating for some, but I guess they figured that everyone would be up late on this Friday night.

I have learned to adjust to things like that because as I mentioned that I try to embrace change. Unfortunately, I had to learn to embrace another change as well. When it was time to wash out the hair treatment, the water was not operating. Imagine the look of pure shock on my face and the scramble by my colorist that ensued. She had to use the last bit of water in her 16 oz bottle plus the half gallon of my drinking water to “pre-rinse” the treatment out. Then, she had to make a quick run (dodging all of the city trucks) up to CVS to buy more gallons to rinse the remainder of my hair.

Fortunately for me, it was only “color enhancement.” Imagine if that was someone’s relaxer!

Attention City of Atlanta: As you continue your myriad of helpful projects all across the city, please be respectful of your residents and notify them of any consequences that may occur. Life, Limb and Hair could be at stake!