This weekend, John and I went for a trip to the Brazilian Immigrants Museum (Memorial do Imigrante). Just like art galleries, museums are not normally my thing (although I am starting to turn around after visiting some cool places in America), so my expectation was very low. But once again I was pleasantly surprised. We walked in the gates of an amazing old building with beautifully kept grounds and it was like being transported back in time. People were walking around in early 1900’s traditional outfits, the grounds had lovely old outdoor furniture and lovely plants (including a mango tree spilling its delicious fruit onto the grass).

Turns out you could pay a small fee and dress up to take photos. You could catch an old tram fuelled by wood. There were restored old shacks, hospital rooms, churches, and restrooms. There was an area filled with old passports, record books and old photos. Brazil has an amazing immigration history. Although everything was in Portuguese, we understood most of what was going on. There were even computers where you could find out all about your history and immigration records of your ancestors (NZ should do this!)

The whole experience was very unique, and I really enjoyed my little trip back into Brazil’s history.

Filed under: South America, Adventure, Ramblings by Louie Date 3 February, 2009