Top 10 things to do in Rio Part 2
Seeing Cristo Redentor sans tourists is #4 on my Top 10 Things to do in Rio de Janeiro The Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue is the symbol of Rio and one of the biggest tourist draws in Rio de Janeiro with over 2 million visitors a year. I don’t know about you, but for […]
Top 10 things to do in Rio de Janeiro/Part 1
As promised, here are the first three picks on my list of Top 10 “Road less traveled” things to do in Rio de Janeiro. #1 Dance until the sun comes up at Alto Vidigal Alto Vidigal is a bar and hostel at the top of Favela Vidgal with heart-stealing views of the ocean and Ipanema beach. […]
My work on National Geographic
A friend recently sent me this National Geographic travel article featuring an image of Ascensor Artilleria, the cable car I painted in Valparaiso Chile in 2011. Seeing the train brought back a rush of memories. The ascensor is in use all day taking locals and tourists up the iconic lookout and so I had to paint […]
Portal 1 Vandalized
A few days ago Perola and I received word from Chris Flash, a local East Villager and the founder of The Shadow magazine that Portal 1 had been vandalized. Someone had cut out its QR code. We knew that this was likely to happen at some point. “It’s all part of the game.” Perola said […]
The trials of Portal 3
Portal 3 was a big challenge. Carnival happened, the heat got out of control, I got sick, Perola painted an entire dragon and then, in an instant, white-washed the whole thing. It is the smallest Portal so far and the one that put up the most fight. We realize now that to work during the week […]
The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
There are many sides to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Perola, born in Rio, is totally over it and many Cariocas (people from Rio) get out of the city for this crazy week. Carnival has become so huge that the entire city turns into a party and otherwise completely shuts down. A massive bloco in […]
Far from Home
Time is lost somewhere between midnight and morning as I sit looking out my bedroom window feeling deeply peaceful. The natural beauty around me is breathtaking. Rio de Janeiro abounds with lush plants and beautiful views. I notice the gentle sway of the palm trees as the fresh wind plays on my face. The streetlights cast […]
THE DUALITY OF PORTAL 2
Portal Two is the embodiment of the great paradox. It’s lesson is the same of the yin yang and is a very important one. There is dark and light in everything, a duality to everything.You cannot have one […]
The Hues of Haiti
I’ve been in Rio for less than a week and I need to write about the colors of Haiti (from where I’ve just come) before they fade. The Haitian street markets are ablaze with every shade of the spectrum. Subdued colors in the darkness of a night-fallen tent city conjure a magic I can still […]
Back in Brazil and snuff
A well worn snakeskin and folded Brazilian flag lay nestled aside a large mound of wild tobacco on a brilliant, red silk cloth which is laid on the wicker floor. Pairs of hands hover over the pile, breaking up the tobacco leaves which smell sweet of earth; kind of like moist dirt and chocolate.An indigenous […]