Beauty In Rio - A Lifestyle

The concept of beauty in Rio de Janeiro is something that intrigued me from the moment I arrived. It seemed like almost everyone was constantly conscious about how they looked; Girls with perfect shiny hair, old ladies dressed to kill, perfect bodies on the beach and bus drivers with manicured and varnished nails. From rich to poor, from alternative rockers to club kids.

It's easy for a Swedish person to assume that Cariocas (citizens of Rio) are a superficial bunch where physical beauty is the most important. But it's not that easy, to be able to understand this you also have to understand the history and culture of Rio and Brazil.

The Brazilians are very openly romantic and sexual. Europeans coming from morally strict cultures came to a place where the pope wasn't watching. There they met Indians that hadn't heard about sin and sexual restrictions. On top of that you add more than 4 million African slaves that were brought to Brazil in the dirty slave trade, Africans with a quite frivolous view on sexual relations. This recipe created an openly sexual and erotic society and for more than 200 years Rio de Janeiro was the capital. In a society like this, physical beauty is naturally important.

Walking the streets in Rio you see it everywhere, it's in how people move, in how they look at each other, themselves and at you. In the beginning it was embarrassing to get looked at and also to be expected to look back. Where I come from it's very different!

One thing that is also very different is that being proud about the way you look is not restricted to a few. Big, small, old or young, all have the space to feel good about how they look. Nowhere is that more obvious than on the beach where the confidence can ooze from a 7-day a week gym freak as well as from a beer gutted woman in her 60's.

There is also a downside to all this, girls with eating disorders are just as present as in the West. Less than reliable plastic surgeons offering their services for a low price that sometimes even leads to surgical deaths.

On a whole I think the focus on beauty in Rio is positive and just a reflection of the cultural history. It gives a dimension to daily life that may have been lost in other parts of the world, if it was ever there to begin with.

Sweden National Parks - witness the beauty

Away from the bustle of the busy city of Sweden, the National Park System. Sweden National Parks No 28, from north to south. The northern part of Sweden, is mountainous and offers a fascinating look hot springs, geysers, hot water shooting into the air under the ground. The terrain is similar to that of the moon. In fact, that film directors often in this group profit.

Sweden strongly believe in environmental awarenessaccountability and high standards set in national parks, which provide protection for animals and plants. Of these, Abisko, a National Park in the northern province of Lapland, near the Arctic Circle for its spectacular sweeping landscapes that climb up the mountains. It is not only one of 28 national parks in Sweden, but is also home to a research center principally for environmental research, geological and biological.

Söderskog Dalby in southernSweden is small and assumed that the remains of a primeval forest. It is a lush green area that contains the ruins of an ancient fortress.

Padjelanta is another National Park in northern Sweden and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has two large lakes and an extensive high-level, mostly open and flat topography. Here, the Sami lived in harmony with the reindeer in a protected environment fruitful ministry. Sami ancestors were nomads who roamed the plateau HerdingRenne.

Another interesting Storr Mosse National Park is the "defined in Swedish as" Big Marsh. The hotel is located in southern Sweden, the great swamp more than 39 miles (100 square kilometers) covered. It is protected by Swedish Agency for Environmental Protection and includes a variety of birds and animals. From 'a beautiful area that one of the English moors, or the United States reminds Everglades region. Herbs grow strong and is surrounded by dense forests.

All national parksof Sweden, Tividen is perhaps most famous for its scenery and wildlife. But also because it was a hideout for outlaws. And 'situated between two lakes and largely inaccessible. One of the most beautiful pages here are the red water lilies. Folklore tells the story of a farmer, with a spirit of water, while fishing outlets. The Spirit promised big fish water in exchange for his daughter. He accepted. Later he went to the beach to the spirit of water, the meeting proposedthey go with him to his watery home. He refused to take a dive knife in his heart, fell dead, red blood turning the water lilies.

Near Stockholm is another national park in Sweden, Tyresta. E 'surrounded by a nature reserve. In 1999 10% of Tyresta was consumed by fire. There are two unforgettable lakes in this lake, the park and the lake Stensjön Arsjon.

Unlike many other national parks in the world, places of storage of Sweden as a primary criterion rather than nationalParks for tourism, as well as some countries.

Stockholm, Sweden, is a place of great beauty, unique culture and incomparable Grandeur

Stockholm is known as one of the most beautiful capitals of the world. Built atop 14 islands around one of the towns biggest and best preserved medieval cities in Europe, Stockholm is a historical and cultural splendor that is virtually unique in Europe. Stockholm, retains all the advantages of a big city, yet has all the charm of a small town. The city offers a variety of national cultural institutions - from an abundance of excellent museums and theaters excitingAttractions and events to life for visitors. And because the layout compact city, tourists can see and lots to do in a short time, which makes Stockholm an ideal destination for weekend or longer stays. Moreover, Stockholm offers something different every season - so the city is worth a visit anytime of year.

Stockholm is a visually stunning city: its waters, green belt and landscaping make the breathtaking third of the sameCity, providing beautiful views in all directions. Take a ride along many waterways of Stockholm, walk through the narrow medieval streets of Gamla Stan (the Old Town), or simply enjoy their fabulous palaces. Architecture in Stockholm is truly remarkable, with well-preserved medieval structures sit alongside modern buildings: visit Storkyrkan Cathedral, Royal Palace, Stockholm City Hall and 13 Riddarholmskyrkan century, which is the oldest buildingStockholm.

The city has more than one hundred museums and collections of various faculties, including technology, history, art, music, architecture and nature. The most popular are Skansen, an open air museum and zoo, the Museum of Modern Art and the Swedish National Museum of Fine Arts, art holds over 45,000 and is the largest collection of Sweden. In addition, children will enjoy attractions such as the toy museum, Skansen Aquariumvarious maritime museum. With so much to offer, not surprising that more than 9 million people visit the museums in Stockholm every year.

Enjoy the entertainment on offer in Stockholm, fabulous shopping, an evening at the theater. The main shopping section of Gamla Stan Hötorget and Hamngatan, Kungsgatan and Biblioteksgaten at Stureplan. Stockholm is often used as a test of the retail market for many international companies, such as thosetend to make fast, the latest trends. This is particularly clear on the island of Södermalm, a hub of fashion, culture and entertainment. And when it comes to food and nightlife, is sure to impress Stockholm, there will be a number of vibrant restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs in the city center and beyond to find. range from theater to Stockholm for a visit: the Royal Dramatic Theatre and the Royal Swedish Opera are renowned theatrical venues in Europe.

If youLove-city settings, but enjoy a little 'peace and from time to time, the head of various botanical gardens in Stockholm, the national parks and nature reserves. The island of Djurgården is the first National Park City seems to be a short distance from the center - which is easy for you to read a book, a walk or just relax in peaceful surroundings. The lover of nature is sure to pleasure of visiting groups of islands Seascape - one ofspectacular in the world - the 24,000 islands, islets and reefs.

If you plan to travel to Stockholm, you will typically Scandinavian hotels are near the city's wonders, and if you are a business, finding accommodation Suitable in the business district or near Stockholm's international airport. Whether you plan to Stockholm for business or leisure travel, this jewel of a city is presented with a provisiona truly unique experience.