Take a Journey Outside of Your World
By Ellen Corsi
On this Independence Day with everything that the United States has to offer, I have always believed that we would appreciate our native land even more by expanding our horizons and visiting other lands that are rich in history, religion and culture. I have been fortunate enough to have visited many other countries, to enjoy their scenic landscapes, learn in more detail about their history, interact with their people and, of course, enjoy their array of delectable foods.
One destination I never dreamed I would reach is Russia. When people think of Russia, the Cold War comes to mind, along with the KGB and Communism. There is far more to know about Russia than one might think. When I realized I would be traveling to Russia two years ago, one of the first things I thought about was the Czars of Russia, and the palaces that were once residences of some of the most powerful people in the world.
I toured several of the palaces including Catherine's Palace, in Pushkin, Russia, just outside of Saint Petersburg. This palace was gilded in gold everywhere and is best known as the place where the last Czar, Nicholas II,
of the Romanov family, fled when their government was crumbling. It is a massive, majestic structure that one can only appreciate by standing before it. Pushkin, a small town that sits on a beautiful countryside, is truly a place to see and experience.
In the city of Saint Petersburg, one of their best known museums is the Hermitage. This structure was originally the Czars' Winter Palace. It contains some of the best known works of art in the world. I could have spent a week walking through this palace museum to see each piece of artwork just once.
Saint Petersburg reminded me of the way life was fifty years ago. To my amazement, I saw a worker manually oiling a train track just outside of the city. In contrast, in downtown Saint Petersburg, people were bustling to work with suits and briefcases. I was interested to see how Russia was adapting to their new way of life since the wall came down, and I can tell you, as any country would, they are struggling, but they are a strong people. They are now able to own their own land which is a huge step forward, and hopefully they will continue to slowly progress.
To actually be there and see everyday Russia was one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had visiting another country. The layers of history, the architecture, the art and the culture here are incredible.
Another destination that was fascinating was Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Located south of the equator, it is interesting to note that Brazil has opposite seasons than the United States. Rio's population is close to six million, and is a bustling city in the sun. The language spoken there is Portuguese, so travel with someone who speaks the language or at the least, take an English-to-Portuguese dictionary because you'll need it on a regular basis to communicate -- anything. You won't see hotel chains there. Rio's hotels are privately owned and small, like hostels.
The people are very friendly and they are very fit. Rio is made up of many different cultures, including a large sector of Italians. You will see an Italian restaurant on almost every street corner, and it's a delight! Another popular type of restaurant is one where you have a buffet with every type of food you can imagine. The unique part of this dining experience is that you will have a type of coaster on your table. One side says "yes" in Portuguese and the other side says "no". Waiters continually come by your table with a variety of
amazingly delectable meats on large skewers. If your "no" sign is showing, they won't stop. If it's "yes", they will serve you a section of the meat on their skewer. They served some of the best beef, chicken and pork I've ever tasted, and it's a fun and different way to enjoy a meal.
The city of Rio is beautiful. It has over 50 miles of beaches, including some of the most famous beaches in the world, including Ipanema
Beach and Copacabana Beach. The beaches are the widest I've ever seen, and they are all public. They are very clean and you will see vendors walking along the beach selling their wares. You will also find fortune tellers ready to fill you in on your destiny.
The countryside of Rio is gorgeous. The lush landscape is dotted with small houses adorned with all types of beautiful flowers and plants. The roads are narrow and winding. By the way, their normal cost for a gallon of gasoline is $6.00. Ouch!
I toured a beautiful botanical garden in the middle of Rio that was founded in 1908 with over 7,000 species of vegetation and over 140 species of birds. It was an amazingly relaxing and beautiful adventure.
I then took a train ride through the Atlantic Rainforest up the very steep Corcovado Mountain to the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. This statue is one of the most famous statues in the world. The view from this summit is spectacular, with the blend of mountains, beaches and the city of Rio de Janeiro.
As a final note on Rio, each morning at the hotel, a free breakfast buffet was served with champagne on a quiet veranda. What a way to start your morning!
This is just a slice of two countries that have enriched my view of the world. By taking a journey outside of your immediate world, your perspective is changed forever. You are more enlightened about how other cultures live, while appreciating their way of life and yours as well. If you haven't traveled outside of
your country, please do. There is a huge world out there to explore, one country at a time.
