Oi Futuro Flamengo

Hi!

With a few days of delay, I have finally started my project! On Tuesday, I went out to visit three places, but things didn’t happen exactly as planned... I started the day in the Museu da República, the one I could not reach by phone, but it was close to Oi Futuro Flamengo - my next visit. But when I got there, I discovered that at Wednesdays and Sundays, the entrance is free of charge... I decided to return in a free admission day because I have no sponsorship, so I need to save what I can – besides, not all places will cut me this slack... Anyway, it's worthy because I looooovee seeing new places and I'm crazy to revisit some old ones... so let’s go!

Leaving the Museu da República, I went to the Oi Futuro Flamengo. The museum is very close, just follow the direction Largo do Machado (leaving the museum, turn left) and walk straight by Rua do Catete until you get to Rua Dois de Dezembro, in the same sidewalk of the Museu da República.

Just outside the building, you can see two exhibitions of photographs, one facing the entrance door and the other in the space called Campo Grande, which is on top of the entrance of the place.

Upon entering the building, I received the brochure at the front desk and got distracted along with two girls with headphones and videos that talk about telecommunication, right at the entrance - it's a great way to start getting in the right vibe.

On the ground floor, you will find the Biblio_Tec, which is a really modern library that doesn’t even remotely resembles a library, where you can consult free newspapers, magazines both national and foreign, specialized in art and technology books. But if you are looking for a place to study in an ice-cold and silent environment, no error - run over there with your books and notebooks, I’m sure you won’t regret!

Going up the stairs, there was an exhibition of short videos of the award-winning filmmaker and multimedia artist, the Thai Apichatpong Weerasethakul - I admit it was not quite my thing. The exhibition spreaded to the levels 4 and 5 of the building.

Level 3 is more interesting because it has a wall full of objects related to telecommunication, some models of phones and you can start to experience the interactivity of the place. This is where the fun begins!

At level 6, you find the gold mine, the Museu das Telecomunicações! So cool that I felt that I needed to go to lunch and visit it unhurried. I lunched and ran back quickly to the Museum. At the entrance, you receive the audio guide (English or Portuguese) and the fun starts- note that only one person can enter at a time.

 

Despite its small size, the museum is very interactive, so time flies inside: I spent about two hours there and couldn’t feel it, but others were much quicker. As I am in my city, I gave myself the luxury of seeing and enjoying things slowly and to the fullest! The museum portrays things as the computer’s, radio’s, television’s and internet’s evolution, and also about the space’s conquest, biotechnology and even about our television great communicators. Moreover, it allows you to interact with old payphones and learn the history of these in our country.

And for anyone who is a "The Big Bang Theory" fan, a small treat: you will be able to feel a little like Sheldon by playing a Theremin (for those who cannot remember, here is the link). So I can say, without a doubt, that is worth the ride, and even to take your kids - there, you can learn more about how the telephone works, details of the creation of the technology that changed the twentieth century and its arrival in Brazil, all of that in an interesting way that will certainly please the child. But I'll stop here, because there are so many cool things there that you must go to find out. Oh, and do not forget to enter the prophets’s room. It is quite remarkable!

But there was one thing that made ​​me sad: at the exit of the museum is the "postcard": I took two photos and put my email there, but I got no picture untill now! The man who helped the visitors told me that the network had problems – unfortunately, I can’t say I was surprised... It is inevitable to realize at this time that we still have much to improve in this area, our telecommunications services still have to improve a lot...

Before leaving, do not forget to visit the top floor, where you can get a nice view of the beach and of the Castelinho do Flamengo... our next visit! Unfortunately the coffee was not working, but the tables were full.

Some tips: The people that work at the museum are very nice, if you need any help just ask them, even if it is to take a picture - they are very kind! The man who works there recommended me the show that was in exhibition in the theather. But the most important tip is: do not forget the jacket because the air-conditioning system of the museum is very powerful, especially if you're wearing a top and short or something super common in this tropical city...

If you want to see a video about the Museu das Telecomunicações, just click on the link (but it's in only in portuguese)

If you want a place with Rio’s soul to eat, go to Galeria Condor at Largo do Machado, 29, which is close to the access to the subway station. This gallery has its own story and you will find a very tasty restaurant, the Rotisseria Sírio Libanesa, which works from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 11pm. There you can go and ask for your esfiha or kibe on the counter, as a carioca would, and relax after a great cultural tour.

Registration Form:

Site: Oi Futuro Flamengo

Visit’s date: 14/01/2014

Adress: Rua 2 de Dezembro, 63 - Flamengo.

Telephone: (21)3131-3060

Directions: Using the subway and get off at Largo do Machado station, or any bus that passes by Largo do Machado – there are many options, click here to find out more: english or spanish

Working Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

Guided Tour: for groups, they are held from Tuesday to Friday, at 10am and at 3pm, with prior appointment by the e-mail; for spontaneous visits, on Fridays at 1pm and on weekends at 3pm, with educators attending groups from 5 to 20 people, with an average duration of 45 minutes.

Entry Price: Free, just the theater charges tickets. 

Toilets / drinking water fountains: Clean male and female toilets are available, and drinking water fountains can be found on the 2nd floor and 6th floor.

Cafe / Restaurant / Convenience Store: Has a space for a Café at the 8^th floor, but it’s not working at the moment. There is no convenience store.

Accessibility: it has stairs and elevators for access to the floors.

Audio guide: the museum provides free audio guide in English and Portuguese.

Lockers and space for stroller: the place has no lockers and no space for strollers, but if you need just ask and leave the stroller at the reception.

Recommended duration of stay: at least 2 hours, because the museum and the place are pretty cool.

Parking: there isn’t one, but there are vacancies on the street behind the building and private parking nearby: gEpark in Largo do Machado 54, and Praia do Flamengo, 200; and Estapar in Largo do Machado 19/21, 23, and Praia do Flamengo 154.

Air Conditioning: it is very cold so it's good to go with your coat.

Camera: I could use without problems.

kiss kiss,

tati.