http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/?p=97
2009/7/19 Rafael Oshiro <[email protected]> > Hi, Josney!! > > I loved this diary about a foreign tourist here in Brazil. It's funny how > she writes about her first impressions when she arrived here. > > I'm curious to know where did you extract this text from. Is it a post from > a blog? > > Oshiro > > On Sat, Jul 18, 2009 at 2:10 PM, Josney Ribeiro <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> A Week in Brazil <http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/?p=97> >> >> Hey folks. Sophie wrote a post on my laptop about 2 weeks ago. We hadn’t >> had a chance to get my computer on the internet, so on my computer it has >> remained. Sophie is sick in bed, so here I am to post it for her from >> Salvador in Bahia. Enjoy! >> >> Well hello there, >> >> Sorry for the major delay in updates. Since Alex started working on the >> last South Africa post things have been crazy. Our final day in Cape Town >> was spent sorting out last minute details and having a delicious lunch with >> the Holland family. June cooked her famous gammon as well as my favorite >> “June salads” and other amaaaaazing dishes. Hopefully we will see cousins >> Katie and Mary in the States this winter. >> >> We flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg, then to Sao Paulo, arriving on the >> afternoon of Monday the 5th of February. After arriving at the albuerge de >> juventude (youth hostel) where we had a reservation, we were told that they >> misunderstood and thought we were coming the next day. They had done the >> same thing to a Korean guy, so they shipped us off to another hostel, which >> was wonderful, but no one could tell us where we were going, so it was a bit >> of an adventure. That reminds me of one of the more surprising things I’ve >> found about Brazil. NOBODY speaks English. OK, that’s unfair, I have heard >> tall tales of five individuals scattered around the country somewhere who >> speak English. OK, so I’m exaggerating, some people do, but it’s rare, even >> in the big cities apparently. As a result I have been trying to speak >> Portuguese with everyone we meet. I studied the language a bit in college, >> so things have been coming back and it’s exciting to talk to someone in >> their language when I always thought that was an impossibility for me. It is >> also exciting because I have never visited a country where the signs aren’t >> in the main language and English, and where everyone does not speak English >> as a second or first language. >> Alex and I have started talking to each other as though the other person >> doesn’t speak English, often taking long pauses while constructing >> sentences, and miming things to each other. >> >> Other misunderstandings about Brazil – >> >> South Africa/Africa is not the only part of the world that has it’s own >> special way of organizing time. “Africa time” is alive and well in the form >> of “Brazil time” over here. I will report back on this phenomenon once I >> have conducted more research. >> >> Another major misconception we had about Brazil was that it would be >> relatively inexpensive compared to the US. This is not so. Compared to South >> Africa, it’s outrageously expensive, but in dollar terms the prices are more >> or less comparable with prices for similar items in the midwest. >> >> Number four, Brazilian women do not all look like supermodels. Not even a >> little bit. Don’t get me wrong, there are many beautiful, even stunning >> women, but no more so than the proportion of beautiful women you might find >> elsewhere in the world. I thought I would be surrounded by lots of Giselle >> Bundchens. Our friend Anna is the closest thing to Giselle, and she’s from >> Germany. Although I have heard that Brazilian men are wonderful lovers, I >> will never know if this is true. And in the meantime, there have been more >> Irish and British men who sparked my fancy than Brazilians. >> >> Sao Paulo – 02/05 – 02/06 (1 night). >> Sao Paulo is mammoth in size. I have never seen anything like the view >> from the airplane flying into the city. I have traveled to some of the >> biggest cities in the world and have never seen anything like Sao Paulo. We >> were anxious to leave because we were advised that it is incredibly dirty >> and crime is rampant. I don’t think we got a feel for Sao Paulo but it does >> have some beautiful areas, including the home of an old friend of Alex’s >> dad. He kindly agreed to keep our excess luggage for the duration of the >> trip. We had to wait a while outside the high walls while the security guard >> verified our story from behind a tinted bulletproof glass. Afterwards, we >> wandered around Centro, the central area of the city, and into a very >> vibrant street market where people were practically throwing mangos and >> watermelon and zucchinis at us. We had no problem negotiating the metro >> train and bus system as we made our way to Ubatuba. >> >> Ubatuba – 02/06 – 02/09 (3 nights). >> We read and heard a great deal about Ubatuba being the surfing capital of >> Brazil. Although the good surf comes during the winter, we were able to hop >> on a local bus to Praia Grande and play in some so-so waves. After realizing >> that we had forgotten sunblock on our first day at a beach in Brazil, we >> headed for cover at one of the many beach bars/restaurants. At Midi-Bar our >> waiter, Coue, tried tirelessly to have a conversation with us about >> everything and anything. It served as amazing practice for our Portuguese >> because he really sat with us and worked through what we were trying to say >> and what we meant. He even gave us advice on where to visit in Paraty, our >> next stop, as well as his home number and address if we wanted to go out, or >> stay at his house. We tried to call him, but to no avail. His mother, who >> picked up the phone, was quite content to go on and on in Portuguese >> although I told her I had no idea what she was saying. Coue served us our >> very first authentic caiparinhas, the most common cocktail in Brazil, made >> traditionally with limes, LOTS of sugar and cachaca (a white rum, also >> called pinga, indigenous to Brazil). They were delicious and refreshing, and >> after about half of one I almost crawled under the table to go to sleep. >> Usually they are incredibly strong and we have learned to be careful. Then >> again, we are on a trip, so some nights involve several caiparinhas. They >> are also made with vodka for a lighter effect, as well as with various >> fruits, including maracuja (passionfruit). >> >> [image: >> caiprinhas-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/caiprinhas-large.JPG> >> Caiparinhas >> at noon spells trouble. >> According to our guidebooks, Ubatuba is where well-to-do Sao Paulo >> residents (paulistas) vacation in the summer months. There are a million >> little restaurants and pousadas (accommodations), hotels, and stores. At >> night, the locals set up a smallish market on the waterfront with food >> stalls. We ordered a hotdog and hamburger for dinner the second night. These >> were served in large shopping bags, with mashed potatoes, corn, salsa, >> lettuce, and cheese whiz all on the hotdog (which had one bun and 4 hotdog >> wieners on it) and on the burger. Each of these cost $1.00. From this point >> on, we learned the importance of clarifying exactly how you would like your >> burger/dog to be served. >> On the last day, we took one of the local bus routes as far as it went >> into a beach town called Forteleza. There, we swam in the rain and ate a >> fish lunch at what appeared to be the only restaurant in the whole town. The >> city bus actually climbs the mountains and makes a final stop here. These >> are some pictures of our bus stop, quite tropical. >> >> [image: >> busstop-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/busstop-large.JPG> >> >> Parati (Paraty) – 02/09 – 02/12 (3 nights). >> We caught our bus to Paraty early in the morning, arriving in the town >> with the whole day to spare. We have become quite adept at finding the >> tourist information booths (where no one speaks English) and asking for the >> cheapest accommodations in town. This time we landed in a really great >> pousada called the Konquistador. The cheapest accommodations in many of the >> towns here are private rooms with private bathrooms. You pay more for AC, >> for cable, or for more space. Neither Ubatuba nor Paraty has any >> accommodations with dorms. This means that accommodations cost slightly more >> than we were paying in South Africa, but then they are private as well. >> Paraty is really beautiful. We stayed in the old part of town, with huge >> “cobble-rock” streets, and beautiful historic buildings and churches. >> >> [image: >> paraty-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/paraty-large.JPG> >> This >> is a view of the town from across the river that runs alongside it. >> >> Everything stays open really late and here we first were introduced to the >> marvel that is the dessert cart. People stand in the street with huge carts >> full of delicious sweets, cakes, puddings, pies, and cupcakes, basically >> anything that can be made using sugar. They are very decently priced, >> although you are never quite sure what you are getting because the >> descriptions include some vocabulary I don’t understand yet. While strolling >> around the historic part of town, we came across a small cachacaria, a store >> specializing in selling cachaca from all around Brazil. Although the best >> cachaca comes from the area of Minais Gerais, the people of Paraty are quite >> proud of the product that they produce. After having a taste testing, the >> store owner directed us to another cachacaria that functions as a bar as >> well. We found it down a dar side street and after making quick friends with >> the bartender, sampled a number of other types of the dangerous drink. He >> offered Alex a sip from the bowl pictured below… >> >> [image: >> cachacasnake-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/cachacasnake-large.JPG> >> …yes, >> that is a cobra. >> On the first day we visited a local beach called Praia de Jabaquara, a 2 >> km walk from the town. The water was rather muddy from the local river and >> incredibly hot, so hot that it burned my skin where I had gotten too much >> sun. The bay remains shallow so far out into the water that we were almost >> able to walk to a nearby island in the water. For dinner we visited >> Brik-a-Brak, listed in one of our guidebooks as a top 5 restaurant in >> Brazil. We had amazing filet mignon with incredible sides for about $14.00 >> per person. That was the best steak I have ever eaten, hands down. After >> dinner we returned to the pousada, and to shouts of “Gringos!!” from a >> troupe of people drinking in the kitchen. We met a number of Chileans >> staying at the Konquistador as well as an amazing sister and brother from >> Germany, Anna and Christoph. Anna is working at hospitals in Rio, and has >> the horror stories to prove it, while Christoph lives in Germany, outside of >> Berlin. Christoph is really amusing in that he is very sensical and matter >> of fact, and responds to my exaggerations by correcting my thinking that “a >> bazillion people” could not in fact fit into the street parade. This I know, >> but Christoph never knows that I know. One night on Ilha Grande he had me >> cracking up when I stubbed my toe, by recommending quite sincerely that I >> “put it in the mini fridge.” >> We stayed up chatting for ages and the next day we took a packed bus with >> Anna and Christoph to Trinidade, described as paradise on earth by the >> locals. The beaches were beautiful, the water refreshing and crystal clear, >> with live music played from some of the beach bars. In addition, we were >> lucky to have the most beautiful day. We explored the many beaches, and even >> hiked into the hills, climbing the Atlantic rainforest trails barefoot to >> mountain pools and small waterfalls. The day was spent exploring, sunning, >> swimming, and getting to know new friends. >> >> [image: >> germans-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/germans-large.JPG> >> [image: >> trinidade-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/trinidade-large.JPG> >> [image: >> trinidade2-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/trinidade2-large.JPG> >> >> Anna and Christoph on the beach in Trinidade and other shots from the day. >> >> Back in Paraty, We all went out on the town to dance to some local music. >> Alex and Christoph lasted well beyond anyone else. We have heard crazy >> stories about the sexual aggressiveness of Brazilians, particularly the >> women. Alex was approached by people serving as messengers for someone else >> who wanted to “kiss” him. The only people who hit on me were a Canadian and >> an American, haha. I think South African men and Brazilian women might be on >> a par with one another on a scale of grabbing and flirting. >> >> On the third day, it poured rain all day, so we slept and watched movies, >> catching up on some sleep. >> >> Ilha Grande – 02/12 – 02/16 (4nights). >> The bus to Ilha Grande was something else. Packed to the absolute brim >> with other travelers, we had to stand for almost two hours while the bus >> bounced and wove to Agra dos reis. We took some pictures to remember the >> crazy journey. The guys you see behind me in the picture sang almost the >> whole way. >> >> [image: >> fullbus-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/fullbus-large.JPG> >> [image: >> crazybus-large-2.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/crazybus-large-2.JPG> >> [image: >> crazybus-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/crazybus-large.JPG> >> >> From Angra we jumped on a ferry to the island that took about 1 ½ hours. >> We got in pretty late, bargained some discounted accommodation, and went out >> for food. We drank with our Australian and English neighbors and taught each >> other new ways to play our favorite games. >> The next morning, we decided to hike through the rainforest to a beach >> called Lopes Mendes. This is supposed to be the most pristine beach and the >> best beach for waves on the island. It took THREE HOURS to hike there. >> Normally, this might not be so intense, but we were climbing steep inclines >> and declines in the hot and humid jungle. It was very challenging but >> rewarding. Our new rubber flip-flops have proven mountain worthy for >> climbing up and down angles of 45 degrees. I wish I could say we were tough >> enough to hike back, but we opted for a ferry boat back to Villa Abrao, the >> main (read: only) town on the island where we are staying. Below are some >> pictures of the climb and the little monkeys (lemurs??) that we ran into >> along the way. >> >> [image: >> alexlarge.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/alexlarge.JPG> >> [image: >> lopesmendes-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/lopesmendes-large.JPG> >> [image: >> lemur-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/lemur-large.JPG> >> The boat cruises from Villa Abrao are pretty inexpensive and the only way >> to see some of the best beaches, so the next day we took an all day cruise >> around the island. The pictures below are of some of the stops on the way. >> >> [image: >> lagao-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/lagao-large.JPG> >> [image: >> coconuts-large.JPG]<http://www.alexcheston.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/coconuts-large.JPG> >> >> The man in the picture above rowed by in his little boat, constantly >> bailing water out of the boat as it continued to fill up. He had a bunch of >> coconuts and a machete and his job involved rowing up to the sailboats >> (while simulataneously bailing water out of his boat) and selling coconuts >> to the other travellers. He slashes a hole in the top of the coconut with a >> machete and sticks a staw through the hole, voila, coco milk. I suppose one >> could call him a travelling salesman of sorts. The water was so clear and >> beautiful; it was a pretty amazing day. Alex was able to borrow some goggles >> to check out the underwater marine life. That’s him in the background of the >> shot of coconut man. We also saw humungous starfish and a peaceful sea >> turtle. >> >> Next, Rio de Janeiro. >> -- >> "In complete darkness, we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and >> wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you." J. Jackson >> >> "El amor es como un reloj de arena; mientras se llena el corazón, el >> cerebro se vacia." >> >> >> >> > > > > -- "In complete darkness, we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you." J. Jackson "Es fácil criticar a los demás. Difícil corregirse uno mismo. Èl que nunca se equivoca, es aquél que nunca hace nada." --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "English Learner's Cafe" group. 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