Enough about me.....

September 31, 2010

I have covered a lot of kilometres this week, and without an ipod, I have had plenty of time to think about my trip, this country, and the people in it. Now that I am at the end of my travels, I have made a few observations Id like to share- I came up with a list of things that to me, are very Brazilian and are the things that make this country so unique and so special:

havaianas
dancing (anywhere)
public displays of affection (anywhere)
tiny bathingsuits
quranana
kissing
beans
platform shoes
bananas
live music
tight clothes
sugar
BBQs
work horses
coke zero
paining the Brazil flag on everything (streets, buildings, fences, posts...everything)
salt
futebol
bossa nova
acai
drinking beer in the morning
socializing in the streets
rice
forro
motorbikes
nutella
cheese bread
graffitti
esspresso coffee
long life milk
jaywalking
samba
street vendors
mentos
crepes
colorful buildings
stray dogs
hammocks
fresh juice
religion
burning garbage
peeing anywhere (this applies to the men only)
cake for breakfast
selling things at traffic lights
singing
smiling
saudade
and striking up conversation with strangers.

I have such a different attitude towards Brazil now that I have been here for a while; for example, when I first arrived, I was like a shivering chiwawa whenever left to my own devices. But, somehow, I managed to navigate my own way through three states (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Parana) and am so much more relaxed -about everything- I hope I take this new attitude back to Canada.

So, I lost an ipod, but gained some life experience.

Good trade Brazil.

Curitiba or bust.....

September 28 2010

I think three days in Buzios was plenty. I woke up on Monday with the distinct feeling that it was time to go. Buzios is amazing. It is a quaint, gorgeous place made for the rich and beautiful, and the lifestyle suites that accordingly. I feel like everything I did was in excess. I drank too much, shopped too much, ate too much (but slept too little....) had a blast, but it was time to move on.

10 hours on a bus (with a stop over in Rio) landed me back in Sao Paulo (aka home base) last night at 9pm. Pedro picked me up from the bus station and I stayed at his place again (aka home). Man it felt good to have a private room and a hot shower!! my head hit the pillow and I didn~t move all night.

Jardim Botanical Garden

This morning, I was dropped off near the metro to navigate my way to Curitiba, which is in Parana state. And, after another 8 hours on a bus, here I am.

My first impressions of Curitiba are not great...(not bad, but not great) I didn´t do any planning first, and because I arrived after dark, I am staying in an upscale hotel right in the city centre ($$) which I had to catch a taxi to get to ($$$). My only reason to be here is to see the Jardim Botanical Gardens, which I have been reading about for a year.

Better be good Jardim, better be good.

Tonight, here is some street fair happening outside the hotel, so I took a wander, but nothing to see except some hand crafts and baked goods. Time to look at some tourist info and wrap my head around this city.The plan is to stay here until Friday, as my last stop before I head back to Sampa (Sao Paulo) for one last hurrah with my friends.

Can't believe its almost over...I feel like Im just getting started.

Partying in Buzios, Rio

September 25, 2010

I woke up yesterday morning in Rio, and had to make a quick decision about where to next (check out was at noon) so, upon suggestion from my hostel room mate, I took a taxi to the Rio Bus station (not nearly as danderous as my travel book warned) and bought a ticket to Buzios, a BEAUTIFUL, expensive, boutique vacation village about 2 1/2 hours north of Rio de Janeiro. So, Here I am, in the infamous vacation home of Bridget Bardot: Buzios, Rio de Janeiro.

I am staying at the ´Nomad Hostel´ its right on the beach, and my room faces the ocean. And, thanks again to low season, I have the dorm to myself! nice. I met a bunch of girls from the hostel, 3 Dutch, and 2 Swiss...it was their last night here, and wanted to celebrate, so we all got dressed up and hit the town for some fun fun fun.

There is a big surf competition in Buzios right now, so there was a big dance party in the street for the event...there was a dj and a camera crew, very cool. After the street party, we headed to a Forro bar down the road and danced all night. We all woke up slightly traumatized, but flattered, by the Brazilian men and their forwardness- we all laughed about it at breakfast this morning.

Today, Im heading over to watch the surfing competition, then out for another big party tonight...I think I will enjoy it here in Buzios :)

Futebol in Rio de Janerio

September 23, 2010

Wow. what a night.

Dispite the fact that no one from my Hostel was going to the futebol game, I decided I wasnt going to miss this opportunity. The taxi bus stopped at a few hostels other than mine. First, and Aussie and a Canadian got on, then, two more Aussies!!! (just my luck!). Then, at the last hostel,10 guys got on the bus, and wait for it...they were a Canadian soccer team in Rio for a futebol tournament!!! (not even kidding you).

The game was incredible! The fanfare was like nothing I have ever seen before.........the PASSION! I was standing most of the game and yelling along with the crowd, you can~t help but embrace the moment. The give you toilet paper, balloons and confetti to throw too, it was so amazing. Luckily (in my opinion) the game was a tie so post game there was no infamous brawling.

I am about to go for a run along the beach (Ipanema) and today I tour the city... I can't wait :)

When my baby smiles at me I go to Rio...

Sept 21 2010

Its hard to be afraid of the big bad city when Barry Manalo is stuck in your head...

Here I am in Rio De Janeiro. Before I go any further, there are a few details of the last few days I need to mention. I will never forget Ilha Grande. First of all, there are no cars and no bank machines, so you can~t help but to relaaaaax. It rained for 2 of the 4 days I was on the island, which worked out fine, because the days I had planned outings, the weather cooperated. Andrei was awesome, he took me on a hike through the rainforrest and into the village to hang out with his friends, he definitely gave me a different perspective of the island.

I stayed an extra day because I had met a local artist who makes little statues of people. I had admired a few I had seen around town, so when I met him, I asked if he could do one for me, he said yes, but it would take 2 days. Its really cool! he did a great job, but now I have a delicate 20 cm statue to care for for the rest of my travels.




Yesterday, September 20th, I went on a 2 1/2 hour treck through the hills and valleys of the atlantic rainforrest, a trip well worth while, since the destination was Lopez Mendes Praia...the 7th most beautiful beach in the WORLLLLLLLLD (insert big announcer voice). The best part about traveling in low-season....the beach was almost deserted!!! Unluckily, I had met an Irish fellow on my travels who sort of tagged along, and talked A LOT...but that only slightly tarnished the experience.

Lopez Mendes Praia

This morning, I left Ilha Grande. My boat was at 9 am (its about a 1 hour trip), but Andrei sent me to the wrong peir, so, I missed the commercial boat. Luckily, the travel agency arranged for me to go on a tiny little private boat (made for 10 people) instead. WHAT GREAT NEWS! Except, the boat stalled exactly half way between the island and the mainland.

The next hour of my life was spend floating in a tiny boat in the Atlantic Ocean, while the 3 workers repaired the engine. I really wish I understood what they were saying because in my head it was `nice to know you Flavio...we´re going down...´ anyway, eventually the engine started and we made it to shore.

Once we got to shore, I had a new challenge of finding my way to Rio. The boat I missed in the morning was a direct link to Ipanema Beach (aka stress free trip) but now, I am half way to Rio with no clue which way to go.

*Mum, dad, please don't read the next paragraph:

I ended up hitching a ride. A car with a man, woman, and 2 kids pulled up to me at the bus station and we haggled a price to Rio. I had no better option at this point, and I figured kids and wife = safe. Its about a 1 1/2 hour drive to Rio, so I was really happy to have a direct ride, right to my hostel. I tooke a chance, but it worked out great.

The next few days are supposed to be sunny and 28 so looks I picked a good time to be here. Tonight, I am going for dinner, then watching the sunset from the beach(a reccomendation from my hostel clerk) Tomorrow night I am going to a futebol (soccer) game, and have booked a full day tour of the city on Thursday.

Ilha Grande, Rio

I have been in Ilha Grande for 2 days now. The trip didnt start off so nice, because in the mad rush to make the bus, I forgot my passport in the hostel locker (in Paraty)...I remembered this little detail as the bus was about to leave...luckily they let me off and I managed to get my stuff. Rookie mistake.

SO! Let me tell you about Ilha Grande!! I booked a room at the youth hostel based on a reccomendation from some friends in Paraty- it was such a bomb, I can~t even tell you how bad- because whatever you are thinking, it was worse. Plus, I had to share a tiny dorm room with 2 guys, a german and a Pomme. During the night, some drunk guy jumped into the hostel pool, but there was no water in it and, tragically, hes in the hospital and might not make it. it was a crazy night.

So, first thing in the morning, I packed my bags and decided to treat myself to a few nights in a Pousada...The sun was shining and the weather was 30 degrees, so I decided to rent some snorkel gear, I stumbled across a boat that was about to leave for a full day of sailing, so, I hopped on.

Ilha Grande

Blue Lagoon

The tour guide, Andre, was awesome. When we stopped at one of the islands, he asked me if I wanted to see my own private beach...so we left the group and headed through some forrest to the most pristine beach I have ever seen. While the rest of the group was having lunch, we swam. Later last night, we met up again and he showed me how to make real Brazilian Caiprinhas, and we wandered the town, and eneded up watching and dancing to a Bossa Nova band playing in the street. Great night...!

Today is rainy, so I am not doing much. I have booked 2 more days on the island because it is too beautiful to leave. Not sure what the plan is after that....

Island Hopping in Rio

Wednesday September 14, 2010

Paraty is amazing. Its such a quaint lazy town (very touristy, and very safe). The boat ride yesterday was incredible. 7 of us piled into a small 2 storey boat and spent the day Island hopping and sipping on coctails. We snorkled at each island, and we saw lots of fish, turtles, and even a big crab! The temperature was about 32 degrees and sunny, absolutely perfect day.

In the evening, a group of Brazilians were at the hostel learning Portuguese, so they asked if I could sit down and speak with them for a while so they could practice their english...I ended up getting a Portuguese lesson too. Happily, I already knew a lot of the phrases they were teaching me! woo hoo! slowly, very slowly Im learning. Today, I wandered to the Historical Centre of Paraty, which is a BEAUTIFUL maze of cobble stone streets and colorful buildings...so many beautiful artifacts and clothes. Its a lazy day, kind of overcast, and all the people I have been hanging out with are moving on (correction, the hostel is called Casa de Rio Hostel, I was just guessing with my last post)

I will be catching a bus (then a boat) tomorrow morning to an island called Ilho Grande which is about an hour north of here. Ive come a long way from my gum purchase in Sao Paulo...now Im booking travel on my own. all I needed was a little time to familiarize myself with Brazil. Now, I love it.