2013-01-11 International Parity at Work Day

【Aiden in English】

〖Prelude〗

        There was no place on Earth like Rio de Janeiro, as the natives proudly said.

        Founded in the early 16^th Century, Rio was the capital of the Federal Republic until 1960. The City remained the nation's spiritual center, amalgamating Latin and African heritage.  

        As Brazil's Maravilh

2013-01-10

【Aiden in English】

        This summer, torrential rain was highly unusual in Rio de Janeiro. We spent the whole morning watching the rain pour on and on. By noon, nothing was improving unless somebody called raindrops the size of bird pellets growing to the size of golf balls "improving." When a streak of sunlight came through the clouds, Mom took the chance and set the tone for us to explore. At the back of my head, I thought there w

2013-01-09

【Aiden in English】

        We missed the tour bus in the morning, so Mom and I decided to set out on our own and explore the Brazilian capital, which was created ex nihilo in the country's center in 1960. The glaring sun burned my neck as my mom and I walked around the Monumental Axis of Brasilia.

        Like the newly built Anzac Parade in Canberra, Australia, which we visited three years ago, the Mon

2013-01-08

【Aiden in English】

        To start the day, Mom and I were treated to a breakfast banquet in a Brazilian style, featuring everything from ham to an ice cream cake, at Hotel das Cataratas. Like its neighbors, Chilean and Argentine cuisine, Brazilian cuisine also looked delightful in South America. I didn't eat much, but I felt full once I was immersed in the food sea. Mom indulged herself with Brazilian fresh-roasted coffee and couldn't

2013-01-07

【Aiden in English】

        The calm wind blew in my face as a ferryboat zipped along with the water docking on the beach of San Martin Island. San Martín was a small, lush island in Argentina's Iguazu National Park, offering the closest views of the falls. The island was rough and strenuous to climb. The stairs never seemed to end! When Mom and I arrived at the top, I felt my legs were made of jelly, and crawling would be the next best opti