Footloose

'Journey in an Unknown Culture'

    
The world has always fascinated me with it’s diversity. The craving and urge to explore the hidden richness of the world made me go to Brazil from Pakistan at the age of 17 to attend World Council of Churches 9th Assembly. That was the first time I stepped out of my shell.

My first destination in Brazil was Porto Alegre, the largest city in the south of Brazil.
Later, my friends and I went to Bombinhas, Santa Catarina -- a beautiful town with many distinctive beaches about eight hours bus-ride to the north of Porto Alegre. It was a treat to stroll along the beaches, enjoy a deliciously iced Guarana, a soda unique to Brazil made out of a special fruit from the Amazon, and play Frescobol (Brazilian tennis) on the beach. In Bombinhas, I was able to unwind while tripping in and around for some sightseeing with friends. Our hosts, a very hospitable Brazilian family, were truly amazing and I can never forget the Churrasco (pieces of beef skewed onto a metal sword and roasted over hot coals) and Caipirinha (made from fermented sugarcane and combined with crushed lime, sugar and ice) they prepared for us.

The crushing waves enfolding many secrets and the wide expanse and changing colors of the Atlantic left an everlasting impact on me, and I went to Rio rejuvenated.

Rio de Janeiro, the river of January, has a majestic beauty, with built-up areas nestled between a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and an abruptly rising mountain range covered by a luxuriant tropical forest on the other. This unique landscape makes Rio one of the most beautiful cities in the world, justifying its title of Cidade Maravilhosa (the marvelous city). Rio has a lot to offer. I managed to savor all the sites from Sugar Loaf to Corcovado. At the festive Copacabana I decided to have Maracuja (passion fruit) juice to beat the heat.

My days in Brazil ended with a friendly street party, celebrating the last day of the Carnival. Carnivals are celebrated in all regions of Brazil. Rio has the biggest in the world in which samba schools compete with each other and are judged by a jury on every aspect of their presentation and theme. Though we were unable to catch a glimpse of the real event but the mood and feel of the carnival was everywhere. One can find trucks loaded with thousands of watts of sound equipment, with a group of people dancing on top of them. The irresistible beat of the samba takes you to a place of ecstasy. From the driving beat of the samba to the soft sounds of the bossa nova, Brazil has developed music of striking sophistication, quality and diversity.

As I retreated to the hostel, a smile crept across my face. After seeing the historical monuments, the beautiful beaches, swimming in the Atlantic and building endless friendships, I was already content. Now with the fading lights I could say that I had experienced Brazil in its entirety.