First of all, I’m going to start with an apology for mashing four days of blogging into one- internet access is very limited and typing on Brazilian keyboards is a nightmare, given the lack of an apostrophe key (tragic!) Rio is beautiful- quite unlike anything you could possibly imagine. Huge metre-high sprawling waves crash against the near perfect yellow sandy shores of Ipanema beach, while the shanty-town lights flicker like tea lights on the outcrop of hill at the far end. We’ve been following a rigorous programme of Portuguese lessons and activities, which reminds me distinctly of the intensely action-packed schedule of my German scholarship experience exactly one year ago. Yesterday, we spent day in the heart of one of Rio’s most notoriously violent shanty-towns. It’s past dominated by the rule of drug lords and gun killing sprees, Vigario Geral is an area closed off to the world and even those living in Rio consider it far too dangerous to even contemplate visiting. After talking about avoiding crime like the plague, this certainly didn’t seem the best place to be venturing into. Descending the steps from the railway flyover bridge into the community, we were met by an altogether juxtaposed atmosphere. The organic pulsating sound of the beating of oilcans and drums manned by energetic dancing young men was part of project “AfroRegge”. Sponsored by the good will of multinational conglomerates such as Santander and Nestlé, it is slowly beginning to offer this impoverished community a choice to break out of the vicious circle of drugs and crime through drumming, dance and the arts. It was genuinely extraordinary to see how the community had begun to embrace a monumental shift in attitude. For lunch were treated to the famous home-cooking of a dummy-sucking, quirky, sixty-something-year-old in her extended kitchen, right in the heart of the Vigario Geral- check out the photo! Yesterday evening marked my own shift in attitude. The freedom from interview pressure, sixth form, exams and being in the Rio meant I could undergo a change of my own. Spontaneously grabbing the blondest colour hair dye from the shelf in the pharmacy next to the hotel, I’m still not too sure what came over me. Although I’ve turned more of a auburn / gingery/ red colour rather than blonde, it was still quite a shock waking up to the change this morning! After blitzing through types of shops, colours and numbers this morning in Portuguese class, we were privy to a fascinating presentation from Brazil’s biggest oil company, Petrobras. Izeusse Braga the Communications Manager’s presentation had only ever been seen by a handful of privileged individuals, as he discussed world’s oil demands, his company’s dedication to biofules and their commitment to a more sustainable world. Something I and others felt strongly was a fundamental contradiction and were not afraid to express. Very exciting day tomorrow!