Global News cameraman Trevor Owens will be giving a behind-the-scenes look at covering the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro throughout the Games.
Google Translate is an amazing resource when travelling in a foreign country — when it works.
I tried to speak with a kind lady at Subway while ordering dinner and after three times of it saying “I am an assassin,” the lady smiled politely, shook her head, then handed me my change.
Fortunately we have the amazing, charming and hardworking Branca Barros, a resident of Rio de Janeiro who speaks perfect English, helping out our Global News team while we’re here covering the Summer Olympics.
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While on our way to a TV shoot across town, she marveled, “Do you ever eat lunch?!”
I simply laughed as she added, “I never see you eat,” just as I declined our driver Filipe’s offer for a snack he had with him in his car.
The pace we sustain to be successful at the Olympics is intense and one in which Branca feels at times she’s not keeping up with, but she’s just being modest. I typically call her or use WhatsApp at various times of the day and night, waiting only seconds before she replies. She makes calls on our behalf and sets up meeting times or usage of GoPros daily.
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Her enthusiasm and professionalism was on display during our first Facebook Live from the beaches of Rio. Branca didn’t miss a beat or seem nervous in any way throughout our seven-minute broadcast. Her perpetual smile and unwavering ability to translate continued throughout the broadcast, even while shooting her close up. She carried a pen and paper with her at all times and took notes while listening to our guests, carrying on as we frantically moved from one location to another.
Her days with us are short, usually starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m. because she works full-time from home. We try hard to get her back in time but with traffic it never seems to work out, yet she constantly reassures us everything is fine.
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I’ll admit my curiosity for the language and the culture is rampant but no matter how random my questions seem, she is always open to them.
I have become accustomed to long days and pushing myself to the limit during my 17-year career, but watching someone who is new to the grind, who works full-time and goes without food or breaks is truly something special.
Meeting people like Branca and Filipe is what makes this job so satisfying. I hope little gestures like giving up my jacket when Branca gets a chilly on the beach goes a long way in showing just how much I appreciate people like her.
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