The famous Christ the Redeemer statue sits atop the mountain originally named the "Pinnacle of Temptation" by the Portuguese and renamed "Corcovado" for its hunchback-shaped form many years later (*1).

Inaugurated on October 12, 1931 in a great ceremony, the statue stands approximately 125 feet and takes 222 steps to reach it from the road or train station. For those that are not so eager to suffer the long climb up, there are escalators and elevators (*2).

On 07/07/2007, the Christ the Redeemer statue was officially named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, along with the Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall in China, the Petra in Jordan, and the Machu Picchu in Peru. (*3)

Unfortunately, I doubt I will have the opportunity to see this incredible statue. Perhaps, however, I will have the opportunity in the future. I hope to go to Brazil again in 2014 as that is when the World Cup will be held in several states' stadiums throughout the country.

Resources:
(*1) http://www.copacabana.info/Christ-the-Redeemer-history.html
(*2) http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/christ-redeemer
(*3) http://www.new7wonders.com/the_whole_world_of_new7wonders/the_official_new_7_wonders_of_the_world/
Photos:
Earth Hour Global

A truly gorgeous place exists in Rio de Janeiro. This beautiful building, "Parque Lage" or reminds me of the ancient roman public baths, featuring a large, gorgeous pool of water as something of a centerpiece. It is difficult to get a poor angle at this building, which is framed by lush foliage. A striking mountain in the distance is its crown. While difficult to see in this particular photo, at the top of the mountain Corcovado is the incredibly famous "Cristo Redentor", or in English, "Christ the Redeemer" statue.

I was surprised to find out that this building, an old mansion, has been converted into a school of art. While looking at these photos, however, it becomes obvious and completely believable. With such inspiring views, it is perfect for artists, especially photographers looking to learn how to work with lighting and a beautiful landscape.

Sources:
http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2926
http://www.eavparquelage.rj.gov.br/
Photo:
esper.art.br at flickr.com

While I will not be actually departing for Brazil until June 28, 2010, I would like to investigate some of the broadly known, as well as not-so-broadly known wonders that exist in Brazil. In this post, I will list a few lovely locations and sights to be seen, along with a brief description of each. If anyone would like to know more about any of the locations, please e-mail me with the location name, and I will be happy to research and write up about those specific locations. My email can always be found on the right-hand side of the page, or if you don't feel like looking, it's haley.brazil@gmail.com 
Some of the information found for less-known monuments and places may need to be translated, and therefore may have some minor flaws.

I will begin with a destination that I might be able to actually see when I visit Brazil.

Arco do Sol (Arc of [the] Sun)
  Photo Credit:  Marcus Vinícius of flickr.com

This monument is based on an Architectural design created by Felipe Bezerra and Flavio Gois. It was given to the city of Natal, RN, as a gift from the Brazilian construction company Ecocil. It is representative of the Sun and the Sea. The maximum height is approximately 25 feet. The structure was built with strong materials that allow for low maintenance. 






Photo Credit: abcdz2000 of sxc.hu
This, ladies and gentlemen, is a cashew fruit. The bottom portion that you see sticking out is what will be eaten as a cashew nut later. Near Natal Brazil is a gargantuan cashew tree - the biggest in the world, in fact. How big must the biggest cashew tree in the world be to be the biggest? Apparently, having foliage that spans over 86,111 square feet. 

I searched and searched for a decent photograph of the tree, to try to show its true enormousness, but to no avail. Instead, I found something much better. Look at the video below to get a great view
of this natural wonder.



I will end my post here, and continue with more destinations on a later post.

After several weeks (I believe it was closer to 3 weeks than 15 days..) I recieved my passport back from the Brazilian Consulate General of Brazil in Washington DC (they make you write it out like that every time you address them...) complete with passport. This means, there is nothing left to bar my passage to Brazil, unless something drastic happens in customs... which is unlikely.

I have also finished classes. I am currently in a state of euphoria! I spent some time today after my last final to give this blog a nice, clean feeling, rather than the cluttered junk I had before! While I believe I will hold off on giving flyers out to most of my friends and family about this blog until closer to the time of departure, I must give them to my Kent friends very soon, as I will only be living in Kent until the end of May.

My next post, I would like to share some of the places and things to see in Brazil that truly intrigue me; While I may not see all of these places, as they are stretched out across the country, they are things that I find to be almost whimsical... I truly feel that the only other place that I could imagine being even as close to as gorgeous as Brazil's lush and electrifying colors and sights to be seen, would be in a fairytale book. Stay tuned- I'll be posting some photos of these places... yes - "Eye candy!"

Haley

Thinking about my trip brings me a sense of simultaneous comfort and nervousness.
I have my passport and have bought my tickets, but am still waiting on my Visa, which is starting to stress me out. It's not abnormal, completely, for one to be declined; especially if you forget to send a document.

Today my mother allowed me to buy a few things at Kohl's for the trip. This is great, since most of my nice clothes are getting pretty old and worn, and any new clothes that I have bought are Walmart clearance items worth $1 - $3, suitible for basically pajamas or a grungy day. It will be nice to have a few good outfits and shorts that actually fit (without looking too small or displaying my cottage - cheese legs at full force.)

I wish these  skirts were still in fashion up here in Ohio.. They're so pretty, and comfortable in hot weather. I noticed there were some at Gabriel Brothers last time I was there. Maybe I should go back.. though frankly, every dime I have left should be saved. I'm literally broke after paying for the passport, ticket, and visa. It's a little scary.

Did I mention I'm a sucker for halter tops and dresses? Well, I am. The one on the right is nice, but I've found a new style that I like surprisingly well. I'm not sure how they would look on me, but the "Sweetheart Halter" is a great cut. It's very vintage-looking, which isn't necessarily my thing, but sometimes it can look rather fresh.


The one on the left is an example of the neckline I'm talking about, in the form of a bathing suit.... a very expensive bathing suit that I, unfortunately, will never be able to afford. Hehe... regardless, it's an interesting cut that I've had my eyes open for, in a much, much cheaper price range.

I've had some trouble navigating the Brazilian Consulate in Washington DC's website. After a few days of searching around the site on and off, I finally decided that I had all of the materials and money collected to finally turn my visa application in. Here is what I found on the site :

• Two (2) receipt pages from visa application form per applicant, properly and completely filled in and signed by the applicant;
• A passport valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration date, and with at least one blank page available for the visa stamp;
• Two recent 2" x 2" passport-type photos, either in color or black and white, front view, full face, with a light background (snapshots are not accepted);
• Travel Itinerary with confirmed round trip booking. If traveling by land: Proof of financial capacity to pay for ones stay in Brazil;
• Visa fee, payable in US Postal Money Order only, as applicable (see visa fees table); A non-refundable handling fee of US$20.00 per visa applies to visa applications submitted by mail or by any individual other than the applicant or an immediate member of his or her family.
• For non-Americans: copy of green card or valid re-entry visa into the USA or valid visa to country of final destination (this requirement does not apply to applicants returning to their country of citizenship);
• Any application that shows “self-employed” or “unemployed” must be complemented with a current “Balance Account Bank Statement” with applicant’s name and address;
• Copy of letter by sponsors with detailed information on the event and conditions of attendance (if applicable).
• International Certificate of Yellow Fever Immunization is required if the applicant has traveled, within the last 90 days, to any of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bissau Guinea, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Camerun, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda or Venezuela.
• International Certificate of Yellow Fever Immunization is advisable if applicants destination in Brazil includes any of the following States: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and/or Tocantins.
• Two Post Office money orders: one for $20 if sending it in by mail, and one for $130 as the fee, made out to "Consulate General of Brazil in Washington".
• If requesting that the rendered services be returned by mail, also included a self-addressed, already stamped envelope. For visa application, an USPS Express Mail is the only postal services accepted by this Consulate.

I hope I didn't forget anything. This is all that I gathered from their website- I wouldn't bother trying to actually contact them via e-mail... they never got back to me. Their FAQ is useless to you unless you speak Portuguese, too, by the way. Regardless- I am relieved that it is in the mail. Visa applications must be received by the Embassy within 30 days of finishing the application, and have a 15 day processing time for applications sent by mail. I wouldn't go the route of an agency-- they have ridiculous prices ($275 vs $170 total including shipping) compared to sending it yourself by mail.