It was late afternoon on the marvelous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. The sun was still up and the beach, one of the most beautiful in the world, was still full of locals, running, biking, playing footvolley, or simply laying on top of the white sand.
I had just wrapped up my last reporting task for the Rio Olympic Games and came to say goodbye to a local friend, Gabrielle, who I came to know during my three-week stay in Brazil, before departing the next day.
We sat down at table outside of a kiosk by the beach, where you can overlook the vast Pacific Ocean and ordered drinks. When the waiter brought the drinks, I got to show off my Portuguese skills, drawing huge praise from Gabrielle. Well, I said one word: obligada (thanks), so that praise may have been slightly overblown.
Gabrielle was born and raised in Rio, a true Carioca as she likes to call herself usually with a subtle sense of pride. She taught me some Portuguese words and everything that a true Carioca eats, drinks and does, which apparently involves quite a bit of Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) and a lot of beach activities.
After taking a sip of her drink, Gabrielle looked up at me and said, “So, what will you remember about Brazil and Rio when you go back to China?”
Without thinking, I jokingly replied, “Well, hopefully, I’ll remember some Portuguese.”
She stared for a few seconds before realizing that I was joking and burst into laughter. “Really? You can speak like three words and that’s all you will remember about Brazil?”
“Well, I don’t know. Maybe I will know after I go back to China.”
Now, two weeks have past since I returned from the Rio Games and the world’s attentions have already shifted to the G20 summit in Hangzhou, the US elections and Syrian peace talks. But thinking back, sure, there were a lot of memorable moments in Rio, in and outside of the Olympic venues, but there is one word that has really stuck in my mind: gambiarra.
Gabrielle attempted to explain the word to me but gave up after a few tries, blaming the lack of a proper English definition. In essence, what she told me was that gambiarra is a belief that everything will be just fine in the end and that more than just a phrase, it’s a lifestyle in Brazil.
Doing my own research I found no direct equivalent in either English or Chinese. But discovered that, roughly, gambiarra can be translated as a quick fix for something or creativity or the ability to make something out of nothing.
As I came to understand it, gambiarra means using whatever you have around you and making improvisation to meet your goals.
Truly, gambiarra was everywhere in Rio – from the government’s efforts hosting the Olympic Games to people’s day-to-day life – and it fully sums up my memories of the Rio Games and of Brazil and of its culture.
Hosting this Olympic Games, the largest sports event in the world, is certainly no small task for any country. It requires a lot of financial and human resources and Brazil was in one of the worst economic recession in its history and a severe political turmoil. So naturally, there was no shortage of doubts and concerns over Brazil’s readiness for hosting the Games. But as the Olympic flame was extinguished in Maracana Stadium and the Olympic flag moved to Tokyo, the Brazilian people showcased what gambarria truly means with a stunning, vibrant closing ceremony full of Brazilian arts, music and dance.
Brazil pulled it off in the end, with its creativity, hospitality and Rio’s gorgeous views and winter weather. As Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, put it, the Rio Games “were a marvelous Olympics, in a marvelous city.”
“Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life,” Bach said in the closing ceremony.
Despite all the challenges, Brazilians can now celebrate a successful Olympic Games where history and records were made and be proud like Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, who said: “the Games in Rio is a great challenge, but a challenge with success. I am proud of my country, my city and my people. Rio has delivered history.”
The Rio Games, the first Olympics held in a South American city, saw many firsts: first medals for Fiji, Jordan and Kosovo; first Olympics for South Sudan, Kosovo and an Olympic refugee team; and the list of firsts goes on. The Games also saw 27 records being broken.
For me personally, there were a lot of firsts as well. It was my first time covering the Olympics, and my first time trying new ways of reporting, from online broadcasting with just cell phones to filming with a ZeroTech Dobby Pocket Selfie Drone.
One time, against safety warnings from our local guide, went into a favela near Rio’s Gavea area brandishing two cell phones on a stick. We drew a lot of attention, as we went up the stairs. Some Brazilians just stared at us and then walked by, while others gave us the most common gesture you’ll see in Rio. A thumbs up.
Then, there were the curious onlookers. When we stopped at a local shop in the favela to buy water, residents hanging outside the shop came to ask what we were doing and checked out our equipment, paying special interest in the Dobby Drone, and asking what it’s for and how it works. After asking questions, one man probably in his 40s told me, through a translator, that it was his birthday and asked if I would buy him a drink. I did and we had a bit of party with music blaring from one of the houses nearby.
I still remember one night when our taxi broke in the middle of nowhere and we tried to walk to the hotel, scared and nervous. But then we came on a crowd outside a bar watching the Olympics and joined them, drinking and cheering.
Surely, I will remember these experiences and many others moments. Still, the essence of my memories or understanding of the Brazilian people and culture comes down to that word: gambiarra, a lifestyle and a skill that the showed the world through not only these Olympics but in their daily lives.
During all my interactions with Brazilians, especially with my friend, Gabrielle, the one thing I heard the most was: “Relax, it will be fine.”
Like one time when I was at a local carrier for the third time trying to buy a local sim card and again being told to wait another day. Sensing my frustration, she said, “relax, if it doesn’t happen today, they will fix it tomorrow.”
I couldn’t relax at the time, but now, thinking back, everything worked out just fine, like the Rio Games.
It’s safe to say that there will definitely be frustrating times ahead and I won’t be able to relax like the Brazilian are, but I will try to remember the word I spend 21 days learning: gambarria.
I had just wrapped up my last reporting task for the Rio Olympic Games and came to say goodbye to a local friend, Gabrielle, who I came to know during my three-week stay in Brazil, before departing the next day.
We sat down at table outside of a kiosk by the beach, where you can overlook the vast Pacific Ocean and ordered drinks. When the waiter brought the drinks, I got to show off my Portuguese skills, drawing huge praise from Gabrielle. Well, I said one word: obligada (thanks), so that praise may have been slightly overblown.
Gabrielle was born and raised in Rio, a true Carioca as she likes to call herself usually with a subtle sense of pride. She taught me some Portuguese words and everything that a true Carioca eats, drinks and does, which apparently involves quite a bit of Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail) and a lot of beach activities.
After taking a sip of her drink, Gabrielle looked up at me and said, “So, what will you remember about Brazil and Rio when you go back to China?”
Without thinking, I jokingly replied, “Well, hopefully, I’ll remember some Portuguese.”
She stared for a few seconds before realizing that I was joking and burst into laughter. “Really? You can speak like three words and that’s all you will remember about Brazil?”
“Well, I don’t know. Maybe I will know after I go back to China.”
Now, two weeks have past since I returned from the Rio Games and the world’s attentions have already shifted to the G20 summit in Hangzhou, the US elections and Syrian peace talks. But thinking back, sure, there were a lot of memorable moments in Rio, in and outside of the Olympic venues, but there is one word that has really stuck in my mind: gambiarra.
Gabrielle attempted to explain the word to me but gave up after a few tries, blaming the lack of a proper English definition. In essence, what she told me was that gambiarra is a belief that everything will be just fine in the end and that more than just a phrase, it’s a lifestyle in Brazil.
Doing my own research I found no direct equivalent in either English or Chinese. But discovered that, roughly, gambiarra can be translated as a quick fix for something or creativity or the ability to make something out of nothing.
As I came to understand it, gambiarra means using whatever you have around you and making improvisation to meet your goals.
Truly, gambiarra was everywhere in Rio – from the government’s efforts hosting the Olympic Games to people’s day-to-day life – and it fully sums up my memories of the Rio Games and of Brazil and of its culture.
Hosting this Olympic Games, the largest sports event in the world, is certainly no small task for any country. It requires a lot of financial and human resources and Brazil was in one of the worst economic recession in its history and a severe political turmoil. So naturally, there was no shortage of doubts and concerns over Brazil’s readiness for hosting the Games. But as the Olympic flame was extinguished in Maracana Stadium and the Olympic flag moved to Tokyo, the Brazilian people showcased what gambarria truly means with a stunning, vibrant closing ceremony full of Brazilian arts, music and dance.
Brazil pulled it off in the end, with its creativity, hospitality and Rio’s gorgeous views and winter weather. As Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, put it, the Rio Games “were a marvelous Olympics, in a marvelous city.”
“Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life,” Bach said in the closing ceremony.
Despite all the challenges, Brazilians can now celebrate a successful Olympic Games where history and records were made and be proud like Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, who said: “the Games in Rio is a great challenge, but a challenge with success. I am proud of my country, my city and my people. Rio has delivered history.”
The Rio Games, the first Olympics held in a South American city, saw many firsts: first medals for Fiji, Jordan and Kosovo; first Olympics for South Sudan, Kosovo and an Olympic refugee team; and the list of firsts goes on. The Games also saw 27 records being broken.
For me personally, there were a lot of firsts as well. It was my first time covering the Olympics, and my first time trying new ways of reporting, from online broadcasting with just cell phones to filming with a ZeroTech Dobby Pocket Selfie Drone.
One time, against safety warnings from our local guide, went into a favela near Rio’s Gavea area brandishing two cell phones on a stick. We drew a lot of attention, as we went up the stairs. Some Brazilians just stared at us and then walked by, while others gave us the most common gesture you’ll see in Rio. A thumbs up.
Then, there were the curious onlookers. When we stopped at a local shop in the favela to buy water, residents hanging outside the shop came to ask what we were doing and checked out our equipment, paying special interest in the Dobby Drone, and asking what it’s for and how it works. After asking questions, one man probably in his 40s told me, through a translator, that it was his birthday and asked if I would buy him a drink. I did and we had a bit of party with music blaring from one of the houses nearby.
I still remember one night when our taxi broke in the middle of nowhere and we tried to walk to the hotel, scared and nervous. But then we came on a crowd outside a bar watching the Olympics and joined them, drinking and cheering.
Surely, I will remember these experiences and many others moments. Still, the essence of my memories or understanding of the Brazilian people and culture comes down to that word: gambiarra, a lifestyle and a skill that the showed the world through not only these Olympics but in their daily lives.
During all my interactions with Brazilians, especially with my friend, Gabrielle, the one thing I heard the most was: “Relax, it will be fine.”
Like one time when I was at a local carrier for the third time trying to buy a local sim card and again being told to wait another day. Sensing my frustration, she said, “relax, if it doesn’t happen today, they will fix it tomorrow.”
I couldn’t relax at the time, but now, thinking back, everything worked out just fine, like the Rio Games.
It’s safe to say that there will definitely be frustrating times ahead and I won’t be able to relax like the Brazilian are, but I will try to remember the word I spend 21 days learning: gambarria.
