We went to Ilheus to get our coach tickets to Salvador today!!
We`ve been here for 4 nights, Ash is feeling almost completely better, and we`re ready to get a move on.
We will be staying in a hostel called the Nega Maluca (which means the crazy black woman!) for a few nights while we wait for replies from possible couchsurfing.com and hospitalityclub.org friendlies, and also hopefully Woofs- unfortunately the fazenda we were3 going to be working at in Itacare has contacted us to say they`re too busy to have us so we`ve written to some other lovely sounding farms not too far from Salvador, so hopefully we`ll go off and do that and then come back to Salvador in time for Carnaval! Yaaaaay!
Much love, and thank you so much for all your lovely messages, it`s really nice hearing from you :) :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Saturday, 31 January 2009
28th Jan...Any day at all...from Meg
We`re lying in the shade of a tree full of tropical birds by the shore of a vast warm lake. We`re still in Olivenca and Ash is better, which is a relief because the lovely lady at the hostel, Mirauva, was sure we should take her to hospital in Ilheus!
I need to describe this place to you, it`s heavenly. Our hostel is a proper gem, I`m so glad we found it, especially now when both of us have been feeling a bit delicate.
The hostel is buried in a grove of lovely flowery trees and hibiscus bushed, with all sorts of colourful birds and butterflies popping to visit every day. (Ash saw a humming bird for ages the other morning!) We`ve got a family of geckoes in our bathroom too!
The two ladies with beautiful smiles are so lovely and motherly, and were really helpful when Ash was sick yesterday, coming with me to the Pharmacy when we wouldn`t call a cab to hospital.
There`s 2 absolutely brilliant little boys called Emerson and Jemerson (!) who you cvan always hear somewhere laughing and playing, they`re really smiley and friendly with us and very good at explaining thing to us when the grown ups can`t get us to understand them. Last night when I went to get our washing in they came and asked me what I was doing and before I`d got to the line they were both there scurrying around pulling down all our various and piling it into my arms! We want to take them with us.
All yesterday afternoon we lazed (I mean recovered) in a hammock strung between palm wood where you can see all the way down to the town and to the bright blue sea.
Dad there`s one of those feathery trees with big bean pods for shaking, I climbed up ot and as far as I could along one of the branches to get a beany rattle but it would have needed a monkey or at least a Tom to get one.
Today we walked through the rubber wood out behind the house to this beautiful peaceful lake, accompanied by Edovardo from the fazenda. We`ve got 2 coconuts that fell when we were on the beach last nigh and he`s got a machetty!
It`s really nice being able to cool off in the lake, and we found what they were talking about when they said `hydromassage` too- at the bottom end of the lake there`s a great big pipe that a big stream of water comes out of. The water hits you and it`s like there`s a big fat man pumeling you! We have to cling on to our bikinis but it is great!
We`ve also found that rubber tree seeds are really pretty, so we`ve collected loads to bring home with us and make stuff out of :)
I need to describe this place to you, it`s heavenly. Our hostel is a proper gem, I`m so glad we found it, especially now when both of us have been feeling a bit delicate.
The hostel is buried in a grove of lovely flowery trees and hibiscus bushed, with all sorts of colourful birds and butterflies popping to visit every day. (Ash saw a humming bird for ages the other morning!) We`ve got a family of geckoes in our bathroom too!
The two ladies with beautiful smiles are so lovely and motherly, and were really helpful when Ash was sick yesterday, coming with me to the Pharmacy when we wouldn`t call a cab to hospital.
There`s 2 absolutely brilliant little boys called Emerson and Jemerson (!) who you cvan always hear somewhere laughing and playing, they`re really smiley and friendly with us and very good at explaining thing to us when the grown ups can`t get us to understand them. Last night when I went to get our washing in they came and asked me what I was doing and before I`d got to the line they were both there scurrying around pulling down all our various and piling it into my arms! We want to take them with us.
All yesterday afternoon we lazed (I mean recovered) in a hammock strung between palm wood where you can see all the way down to the town and to the bright blue sea.
Dad there`s one of those feathery trees with big bean pods for shaking, I climbed up ot and as far as I could along one of the branches to get a beany rattle but it would have needed a monkey or at least a Tom to get one.
Today we walked through the rubber wood out behind the house to this beautiful peaceful lake, accompanied by Edovardo from the fazenda. We`ve got 2 coconuts that fell when we were on the beach last nigh and he`s got a machetty!
It`s really nice being able to cool off in the lake, and we found what they were talking about when they said `hydromassage` too- at the bottom end of the lake there`s a great big pipe that a big stream of water comes out of. The water hits you and it`s like there`s a big fat man pumeling you! We have to cling on to our bikinis but it is great!
We`ve also found that rubber tree seeds are really pretty, so we`ve collected loads to bring home with us and make stuff out of :)
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Better!
im better yaaay!
ugh that was unpleasant =P
all fine and happy now thugh had plenty of angels looking after me =D
i love my nutmeg!!!!
love to u allxxxxxxxxx
ugh that was unpleasant =P
all fine and happy now thugh had plenty of angels looking after me =D
i love my nutmeg!!!!
love to u allxxxxxxxxx
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
26th
We wrote that story by taking it in turns to write a littlebit then folding the paper over to show just a teeny bit and carrying on. We thought we'd share it we were so proud!
At the moment I'm in an internet cafe in a gorgeous town called Oliveça, near Ilheus in Bahia.It's absolutely lovely here, but Ash isn't very well at the moment, she was a bit ill in the night. She's just sleeping now, so I've come into town to get her some chamomile.
So we've said goodbye to Ouro Preto, on another trying 6 hour night time coach to Vitoria on the coast. As soon as we got to Vitoria wedecided not to stay, it was really grim there. It didn't help that neither of us had slept very well, but that wasn't half of it.We booked a coach for that evening then went for a wander around to see if we could find the sunny side, and it got bleaker and bleaker. Unlike everywhere else we've been the people looked at the ground and weren't friendly, there were vultures picking at heaps of rubbish, the air felt horrid to breathe.
We found a shop to get some breakfast and when we sat down to eat it on a bench we found that the figs we'd brought were rancid, the bananas were plantain, and whan we picked up our bag to go there was a huge cockroach crawling on it. We wondered a bit further but when it started to drizzle we decided the coach station was more appealing!
I had one of my pounding headaches which wasn't great, we were both exhausted and just wanted to lie down somewhere.
Later on we went back in to town to get some grub and it was much better, we found a park! We sat down by somewater and fed scraps to the fish, and suddenly a huge terrapin popped his head up! Poor thing kept trying to get food but was a bit slow compared to the fish, so we chopped up the plantain and fed it to him on the plastic fork I'd had in the bottom of my bag since the airoplane! I knew it'd come in useful sometime :)
Before long there were 3 terrapins and a few kids sat looking, so we let them have a go feeding them.
Dad you would have loved it!
Back in the coach station we met a nice guy called daniel who travels a lot and earns his way by doing massages on the tourist beaches. Me and Ash have been trying to think up plans to make a little cash to help us on our way and it was inspiring talking to him!
We set off at 6:30 arriving at about 7:30 the following morning at the most beautiful, tropical, contasting place we could have hoped for, with lovely reggae playing everywhere and coconuts for sale and beautiful long white beaches and hibiscus flowers :)
But as soon as I recovered from my blinding headache Ash has got sick with what is probably food poisoning, so we're staying here a few extra days so we can enjoy the place properly.
There's no internet at the hostel but will try and keep you updated on Ash's health... it looks like the worst is over, she's justgotto sleep loads and drink loads of water I think. I'll sort out seeing a doctor if she's not better by this evening.
Much love to all of you x x x x x :) meg x x x x x
At the moment I'm in an internet cafe in a gorgeous town called Oliveça, near Ilheus in Bahia.It's absolutely lovely here, but Ash isn't very well at the moment, she was a bit ill in the night. She's just sleeping now, so I've come into town to get her some chamomile.
So we've said goodbye to Ouro Preto, on another trying 6 hour night time coach to Vitoria on the coast. As soon as we got to Vitoria wedecided not to stay, it was really grim there. It didn't help that neither of us had slept very well, but that wasn't half of it.We booked a coach for that evening then went for a wander around to see if we could find the sunny side, and it got bleaker and bleaker. Unlike everywhere else we've been the people looked at the ground and weren't friendly, there were vultures picking at heaps of rubbish, the air felt horrid to breathe.
We found a shop to get some breakfast and when we sat down to eat it on a bench we found that the figs we'd brought were rancid, the bananas were plantain, and whan we picked up our bag to go there was a huge cockroach crawling on it. We wondered a bit further but when it started to drizzle we decided the coach station was more appealing!
I had one of my pounding headaches which wasn't great, we were both exhausted and just wanted to lie down somewhere.
Later on we went back in to town to get some grub and it was much better, we found a park! We sat down by somewater and fed scraps to the fish, and suddenly a huge terrapin popped his head up! Poor thing kept trying to get food but was a bit slow compared to the fish, so we chopped up the plantain and fed it to him on the plastic fork I'd had in the bottom of my bag since the airoplane! I knew it'd come in useful sometime :)
Before long there were 3 terrapins and a few kids sat looking, so we let them have a go feeding them.
Dad you would have loved it!
Back in the coach station we met a nice guy called daniel who travels a lot and earns his way by doing massages on the tourist beaches. Me and Ash have been trying to think up plans to make a little cash to help us on our way and it was inspiring talking to him!
We set off at 6:30 arriving at about 7:30 the following morning at the most beautiful, tropical, contasting place we could have hoped for, with lovely reggae playing everywhere and coconuts for sale and beautiful long white beaches and hibiscus flowers :)
But as soon as I recovered from my blinding headache Ash has got sick with what is probably food poisoning, so we're staying here a few extra days so we can enjoy the place properly.
There's no internet at the hostel but will try and keep you updated on Ash's health... it looks like the worst is over, she's justgotto sleep loads and drink loads of water I think. I'll sort out seeing a doctor if she's not better by this evening.
Much love to all of you x x x x x :) meg x x x x x
Friday, 23 January 2009
Story
We were sitting wondering what the fireflies talk about, when a little splash fell from the sky, inside there was a warm glow.
And everyone could see the flicker of tiny orange flames.
Flames inside a waterfall leaping down a craggy luscious mountain.
A passing hermit saw the sparkling light and dived into the indigo moon reflected in the pool to get inside and see.
The sight was so beautiful he decided to change his glasses to get a better view.
And oh what he saw!
Green hills spread out beneath him, with little crooked houses perched and sprawled all around.
But besides that it was the people who just seemed to furnish this beautiful place with gorgeousness.
They played beats with the rhythm of a thousand childrens dancing feet and the city danced too and laughed!
The gorgeousness of the whole scene filled her and seeped out, pouring thick, sweet and spicy smelling chocolate in to little wooden bowls.
Each person ran from their places and scooped up the little bowls of joy.
The taste... was like the dreams of a hungry chef coming alive from the tip of your tongue all through your mouth, all the chocolate in the world, melted!
And everyone could see the flicker of tiny orange flames.
Flames inside a waterfall leaping down a craggy luscious mountain.
A passing hermit saw the sparkling light and dived into the indigo moon reflected in the pool to get inside and see.
The sight was so beautiful he decided to change his glasses to get a better view.
And oh what he saw!
Green hills spread out beneath him, with little crooked houses perched and sprawled all around.
But besides that it was the people who just seemed to furnish this beautiful place with gorgeousness.
They played beats with the rhythm of a thousand childrens dancing feet and the city danced too and laughed!
The gorgeousness of the whole scene filled her and seeped out, pouring thick, sweet and spicy smelling chocolate in to little wooden bowls.
Each person ran from their places and scooped up the little bowls of joy.
The taste... was like the dreams of a hungry chef coming alive from the tip of your tongue all through your mouth, all the chocolate in the world, melted!
22 Jan... caves and ice cream... from Meg *
We've just got back from a tour of the old mines near Ouro Preto! I have to admit the ride down was better than the actual tour; on this rickety little open cart thing with tiny benches, this clanky great big pulley lowered us down these steep steep bumpy tracks on a cable into a hole, where we carried on down past different tunnels faintly lit by some bulbs.
The caves were nice, there were bands of quarts in the walls, and the tunnels leading down had been filled with water since the mines went out of use. The water was so clear!
We caught the bus back to town and got lunch from a traditional Brazilian cafe where you help yourself and pay by weight, washed down with a mega thick hot chocolate from the chocolaterie.
We've also bought what we need to make the most exquisite ice cream to share with the hostel later on! To be continued... :)
The caves were nice, there were bands of quarts in the walls, and the tunnels leading down had been filled with water since the mines went out of use. The water was so clear!
We caught the bus back to town and got lunch from a traditional Brazilian cafe where you help yourself and pay by weight, washed down with a mega thick hot chocolate from the chocolaterie.
We've also bought what we need to make the most exquisite ice cream to share with the hostel later on! To be continued... :)
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Wed 21 Jan... The most beautiful place... by Meg :)
We caught the bus to Ouro Preto last night (after a bit of confusion from being told the wrong place to get to and catching a bus to the other side of Rio from the coach station...)
An ansolute angel called Tito helped us to find our platform (the only one not signposted...). He said he had a daughter our age but he looked in his 20's. He said it was because he didn't get drunk or high, and advised us to do the same to get the most out of our trip. He told us to follew our heart, not our eyes.
The coach journey was amazing! I was cursing the dark, as we climbed up bumpy winding roads where whenever there was a break in the huge tropical looking trees you could just make out these deep valleys. It looked like ti would have been very pretty.
Neither of us slept much, but Ash was just dropping off when it was starting to get light. As far as I could see stretching off into the mist were valleys of rainforest like you see on telly. I've wanted to see that all my life but I didn'tthink I would yet at all, this area's not even green on the map!
Anyway, Ouro Preto is absolutely gorgeous, it's got at least 8 churches so far, really well preserved colonial town. Everywhere you look it's pretty little alleyways, cobbled streets, and beyond the town, mountains covered with tropical plants. It's so beautiful!
When we arrived it was raining steadily, but we went for an explore anyway and got drenched walking around town.
There's 2 chocolateries (but we were too early for either) and at least a hundred crystal and gem shops (Ouro Preto is the only place in the world where Imperial Topaz is found- and proud!
We watched some men carving soapstone, and met a lovely lady selling crystals called Rachel (pronounced Hacheoow) who reccommended a beautiful sounding beach - Praia du Forte - near Salvador, and gave us a hug to give to a man there... So now we have to go!
We also sat down ina cafe and got mutually our best hot chocolate ever.
It was a small cup of thick hot chocolate, with orange, lemon rind, cointreau and cloves, with mega thick cream on top!
Now we're sitting in the back garden of our pretty little hostel loving the sun - but the churches don't seem to care what the time is - as soon as one stops one or two others start bonging. Marc would hate it here :)
It literally hasn't gone quiet for 5 minutes, allday, it's quite funny!
Oh. It turns out this isn't normal, there's just been a big procession with a brass band and flowers and some folks dressed as angels. It's the funeral of the 'Big Boss' of half the churches in town today.
Ash misses Stef a lot today :(
An ansolute angel called Tito helped us to find our platform (the only one not signposted...). He said he had a daughter our age but he looked in his 20's. He said it was because he didn't get drunk or high, and advised us to do the same to get the most out of our trip. He told us to follew our heart, not our eyes.
The coach journey was amazing! I was cursing the dark, as we climbed up bumpy winding roads where whenever there was a break in the huge tropical looking trees you could just make out these deep valleys. It looked like ti would have been very pretty.
Neither of us slept much, but Ash was just dropping off when it was starting to get light. As far as I could see stretching off into the mist were valleys of rainforest like you see on telly. I've wanted to see that all my life but I didn'tthink I would yet at all, this area's not even green on the map!
Anyway, Ouro Preto is absolutely gorgeous, it's got at least 8 churches so far, really well preserved colonial town. Everywhere you look it's pretty little alleyways, cobbled streets, and beyond the town, mountains covered with tropical plants. It's so beautiful!
When we arrived it was raining steadily, but we went for an explore anyway and got drenched walking around town.
There's 2 chocolateries (but we were too early for either) and at least a hundred crystal and gem shops (Ouro Preto is the only place in the world where Imperial Topaz is found- and proud!
We watched some men carving soapstone, and met a lovely lady selling crystals called Rachel (pronounced Hacheoow) who reccommended a beautiful sounding beach - Praia du Forte - near Salvador, and gave us a hug to give to a man there... So now we have to go!
We also sat down ina cafe and got mutually our best hot chocolate ever.
It was a small cup of thick hot chocolate, with orange, lemon rind, cointreau and cloves, with mega thick cream on top!
Now we're sitting in the back garden of our pretty little hostel loving the sun - but the churches don't seem to care what the time is - as soon as one stops one or two others start bonging. Marc would hate it here :)
It literally hasn't gone quiet for 5 minutes, allday, it's quite funny!
Oh. It turns out this isn't normal, there's just been a big procession with a brass band and flowers and some folks dressed as angels. It's the funeral of the 'Big Boss' of half the churches in town today.
Ash misses Stef a lot today :(
Bonita Cidade from ash
we are now in Ouro Preto,which is the most beautiful and idylic place we've so far,maybe even ever,let alone Brazil!! it is built on emreald green hills, covered in lush yumminess,trees and general vegataion that i dont recognise. the houses are all old and characteristic,there are little allyes everwhere with flowers climbing up the walls, all the roads are cobbles with the loveliest cobbles ive ever seen,sort of orangey colours, and the shops have such funny little signs, they're all wooden swinging ones in funky shapes. my favourite is an upside down ca hanging on to something with its claws!
the weather here is very different, quite wet, but much fresher so it s a lovely change from the stuffiness of Rio(thanks ma for reminding me to bring my rain coat! also my sandles are awesome =P)we'v been taking loads of photos to show you all, but havent uploaded any yet, i want to get some blank CDs to save them on to. (Stef, my camera is soo good,thanks for helping me choose,god send.)
last night we had dinner in a creperie,which was deeelicious! we wondered down the hill in the rain expecting a bit of a walk to find our dinner when another little angel, this time called Danniel(as opposed to Titto in megs blog.) suddenly popped up wuth an umbrella told us about the crepes,and then sheltered us the rest of the way.
xxxxxxxxxx
the weather here is very different, quite wet, but much fresher so it s a lovely change from the stuffiness of Rio(thanks ma for reminding me to bring my rain coat! also my sandles are awesome =P)we'v been taking loads of photos to show you all, but havent uploaded any yet, i want to get some blank CDs to save them on to. (Stef, my camera is soo good,thanks for helping me choose,god send.)
last night we had dinner in a creperie,which was deeelicious! we wondered down the hill in the rain expecting a bit of a walk to find our dinner when another little angel, this time called Danniel(as opposed to Titto in megs blog.) suddenly popped up wuth an umbrella told us about the crepes,and then sheltered us the rest of the way.
xxxxxxxxxx
ola minha quiridas!
bom dia
hello every one its ash, i have a little catching up to and im going to start with the favela party we went to. this was on sunday the18th. well first of all wehad gone on a tour of the favela Roncinha(hossinya) but i wont go on about that as nut meg has already writtenabout it beautifully. i will say thugh that it was amazing, and i really enjoyed every bit of it,especially the loco motorbike ride! me and meg both felt very comfortable there,which was funny, almost more so than in the rest of Rio.
anyway the part we went to in the evening was completetly mad, like nothingive been to before! it was ina sort of converted warehouse,with 2 floors,one of which was only a half so you could look down on the main dance area. it was absolutely packed with golden,brown and black dancers,all grinding away. i must admit we did stand out a tad, and almost imediatly we were under siege,from all directions1 hands came out from everywhere and would grab you,pinch any part of flesh, pull you,feel,or just give you a squeeze. it didnt feel at all as threatening or as sickening as it might sound,or as much as if it had been british geezas.
we had a few different suiters, we called the more memorable ones; seal face,as he pushed his face towards you and did dog/seal eyes,earing muncher, as he tried to give megs neck a snuffle and (hahahahahaaaaa!!) ended up nearling swallowing her earing,he spat it out all bent! i nearly cried with laughter!and the there was the more comforting presence,who stuck around more thean the others,wasnt quite as pushy and kept some of the worst ones away. we also met a wicked gilr called Milly, who rescued us a good few times, mostly from seal face. she just seemed to pop up when we needed her, with a beautiful smile on her face. we couldnt really understand eachother, but it wasnt a problem.
by the end of the night we were both covered in sweat,dribble(yuck!) and muck. had a great time though! i tried to pretend i was married at one point, by putteing my turquiose ring on my "im taken finger", didnt work. the way these Brazilians move their bottoms is amazing!! never seen anything like, girls and boys alike.a few went up on stage to show thier talent,including a few gringos(foreigners) that was incrediable embarressing, we were like, we're not as bad as them!!honest! you would also get boys dancing with eachother like girls would in england,brilliant! Any how,despite the dribble and unkown hands, we both had a wicked e loco night =D
ps beer was R$1.50...50p
hello every one its ash, i have a little catching up to and im going to start with the favela party we went to. this was on sunday the18th. well first of all wehad gone on a tour of the favela Roncinha(hossinya) but i wont go on about that as nut meg has already writtenabout it beautifully. i will say thugh that it was amazing, and i really enjoyed every bit of it,especially the loco motorbike ride! me and meg both felt very comfortable there,which was funny, almost more so than in the rest of Rio.
anyway the part we went to in the evening was completetly mad, like nothingive been to before! it was ina sort of converted warehouse,with 2 floors,one of which was only a half so you could look down on the main dance area. it was absolutely packed with golden,brown and black dancers,all grinding away. i must admit we did stand out a tad, and almost imediatly we were under siege,from all directions1 hands came out from everywhere and would grab you,pinch any part of flesh, pull you,feel,or just give you a squeeze. it didnt feel at all as threatening or as sickening as it might sound,or as much as if it had been british geezas.
we had a few different suiters, we called the more memorable ones; seal face,as he pushed his face towards you and did dog/seal eyes,earing muncher, as he tried to give megs neck a snuffle and (hahahahahaaaaa!!) ended up nearling swallowing her earing,he spat it out all bent! i nearly cried with laughter!and the there was the more comforting presence,who stuck around more thean the others,wasnt quite as pushy and kept some of the worst ones away. we also met a wicked gilr called Milly, who rescued us a good few times, mostly from seal face. she just seemed to pop up when we needed her, with a beautiful smile on her face. we couldnt really understand eachother, but it wasnt a problem.
by the end of the night we were both covered in sweat,dribble(yuck!) and muck. had a great time though! i tried to pretend i was married at one point, by putteing my turquiose ring on my "im taken finger", didnt work. the way these Brazilians move their bottoms is amazing!! never seen anything like, girls and boys alike.a few went up on stage to show thier talent,including a few gringos(foreigners) that was incrediable embarressing, we were like, we're not as bad as them!!honest! you would also get boys dancing with eachother like girls would in england,brilliant! Any how,despite the dribble and unkown hands, we both had a wicked e loco night =D
ps beer was R$1.50...50p
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
19th Jan continued... by Meg
We just saw a little black hummingbird out the window! Oh and we're sitting in the pool room drinking our 4th free drink - Caiprinhi cocktail. We're so lucky!
I'm loving travelling, it's aso nice having nothing on my mind except getting to the next place (which is sorted- wehave coach to Ouro Preto and hostel booked!)
I'm loving travelling, it's aso nice having nothing on my mind except getting to the next place (which is sorted- wehave coach to Ouro Preto and hostel booked!)
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Monday 19th Jan... The Next Day... by Meg
We,re back!
We didn,t have a clue what to expect, except that it would be completely different from anything we,d ever been to before. And we were right I suppose!
It was so busy when we got there, thousands of people and so hot! It was a funny night...
We were very nearly the only white people (or gringas) there, and got quite a lot of attention... to say the least...
It was all harmless, but quite intense- evcerywhere people would just grab us for a dance andf we had to be quite firm with some people. One guy stuck around for a bit which was good because everyone else left us alone slightly more.
We met a really sound girl called Lili who helped with the language barrier a bit when people got slightly pushy (how do you say *hands off* in portuguese?
The night went quite quickly, we spent the equivalent of 80p each when we were in there, and before we knew it we were back at the hostel.
Today we,re getting our coach ticket to Ouro Preto sorted, and trying to make Ash,s bank account work.
Much love :) ciao xxxxxxxxxxx
We didn,t have a clue what to expect, except that it would be completely different from anything we,d ever been to before. And we were right I suppose!
It was so busy when we got there, thousands of people and so hot! It was a funny night...
We were very nearly the only white people (or gringas) there, and got quite a lot of attention... to say the least...
It was all harmless, but quite intense- evcerywhere people would just grab us for a dance andf we had to be quite firm with some people. One guy stuck around for a bit which was good because everyone else left us alone slightly more.
We met a really sound girl called Lili who helped with the language barrier a bit when people got slightly pushy (how do you say *hands off* in portuguese?
The night went quite quickly, we spent the equivalent of 80p each when we were in there, and before we knew it we were back at the hostel.
Today we,re getting our coach ticket to Ouro Preto sorted, and trying to make Ash,s bank account work.
Much love :) ciao xxxxxxxxxxx
Sunday 18th... Favella!
Today we went on a tour of Rocinha, (Hossinya), the biggest favella in South America (oh my god we're in South America!).
Everyone living in the favella could be asked to move on at any time, the whole thing's illegal. The reason they're not isn't because they've been there for 100 years, but because there's nowhere else for 1000's of people to go.
There's a small number of houses with electricity and water, but mainly the power lines are tapped (amazing huge knots and tangles of wires everywhere, hanging low over the winding narrow streets)
And there are a few taps in the sewerage channels for people to come and collect water.
The whole thing expands several km a year as the city's growing fast in population, and the accomodation can't keep up (and nor can the money)
We were taken up to the top of the favella in a crazy loco motorbike ride up busy winding steep streets- I must admit I was nearly scared and squeezed my driver with my knees a bit, worrying they were going to hit other overtaking bikes or buses or people.
We saw at the top that things were more expensive as they had to be carried but there are shops and thingts, barbers, grocers- money in the favella stays in the favella. Many people living there will go to work in the rich areas surrounding it, where there is money to throw away, and come home to live in the favella.
The opnly money that is really made in the favella is by people carrying things up, and selling them, apart from drugs- which is the only money going out, and leaves only drugs inside.
The people are friendly and happy to see tourists, as they know we are bringing money into the area - a few kids try and sell pretty things, we have paid the motorbike taxis, and there are some shops.
Crime rates in the actual favella are very low- everyone there knows they're in the same boat, ther's no point stealing anything and it's a close knit community too.
The ones with guns are the people protecting the drug dealers from the police, or gang members who control the properties.
The only time there's any trouble is when rtival gangs try and come in from other favellas, or when the police come in to find trouble.
This used to be announced by kites as a warning, but now everyone plays with kites all the time and fireworks announce a police raid.
We saw some chickens around the place, scrawny things picking at rubbish, lots of dogs, independent kids. Everyone seemed happy.
Loads of stuff, including bits of houses, were made of rubbish- a porch made from tins, an armchair made from plastic bottles all strapped together. 2 teenagers with brilliant rhythm played us some beats on a bucket and a tin, amazing sound on those battered old things, amazing faces and lovely samba-y tunes, laughing. :D
A proud man with such curly hair brought out his bushy weed plant and posed by it to have his photo taken.
It was not as 'bad' as I'd expected, but I feel horrid fore saying that. In fact is quite a lovely community!
So... when we heard about the party going on in a smaller favella, we were really keen!
Later on there was a capoeira show going on in the bamboo bar in the hostel in the evening, and after getting our 3rd free drink (and counting) we sat dfown to watch the group of tiny kids and some older folk too.
WOW thewy were amazing! So so so fast and good! The kids, and the older ones (teaschers) too. We tried to take some poictures, but apart from some funny poses they moved too fast and you just see a load of open mouthed faces with a blur in front!
When they'd shown us they're best tricks, they asked if anyone wanted to join in- some boys went and showed off, and were generally put to the floor (ever so gently).
Someone came and tried to get me to have a go, I said 'no, no no, definately not, i can't' like you do (like I do anyway), but he picked me up and carried me!
I waited my turn shaking a bit then he just said *copy me*
and it was fine! it was really fun!
It helped that he was so brilliant at it, so when I missed a beat he instantly changed to go with it...
At the end he flipped me right over backwards!
I was so exhilerated and glad he got me to do it, I want to do it again!
Rose had a go too, and managed very well especially considering she was in a skirt!
When we*d done that we were buzzing and really excited, so the idea of not going to the party was just silly...
We did wonder for a bit because we*ve spent quite a lot of money bla bla bla... but decided to go anyway.
Everyone living in the favella could be asked to move on at any time, the whole thing's illegal. The reason they're not isn't because they've been there for 100 years, but because there's nowhere else for 1000's of people to go.
There's a small number of houses with electricity and water, but mainly the power lines are tapped (amazing huge knots and tangles of wires everywhere, hanging low over the winding narrow streets)
And there are a few taps in the sewerage channels for people to come and collect water.
The whole thing expands several km a year as the city's growing fast in population, and the accomodation can't keep up (and nor can the money)
We were taken up to the top of the favella in a crazy loco motorbike ride up busy winding steep streets- I must admit I was nearly scared and squeezed my driver with my knees a bit, worrying they were going to hit other overtaking bikes or buses or people.
We saw at the top that things were more expensive as they had to be carried but there are shops and thingts, barbers, grocers- money in the favella stays in the favella. Many people living there will go to work in the rich areas surrounding it, where there is money to throw away, and come home to live in the favella.
The opnly money that is really made in the favella is by people carrying things up, and selling them, apart from drugs- which is the only money going out, and leaves only drugs inside.
The people are friendly and happy to see tourists, as they know we are bringing money into the area - a few kids try and sell pretty things, we have paid the motorbike taxis, and there are some shops.
Crime rates in the actual favella are very low- everyone there knows they're in the same boat, ther's no point stealing anything and it's a close knit community too.
The ones with guns are the people protecting the drug dealers from the police, or gang members who control the properties.
The only time there's any trouble is when rtival gangs try and come in from other favellas, or when the police come in to find trouble.
This used to be announced by kites as a warning, but now everyone plays with kites all the time and fireworks announce a police raid.
We saw some chickens around the place, scrawny things picking at rubbish, lots of dogs, independent kids. Everyone seemed happy.
Loads of stuff, including bits of houses, were made of rubbish- a porch made from tins, an armchair made from plastic bottles all strapped together. 2 teenagers with brilliant rhythm played us some beats on a bucket and a tin, amazing sound on those battered old things, amazing faces and lovely samba-y tunes, laughing. :D
A proud man with such curly hair brought out his bushy weed plant and posed by it to have his photo taken.
It was not as 'bad' as I'd expected, but I feel horrid fore saying that. In fact is quite a lovely community!
So... when we heard about the party going on in a smaller favella, we were really keen!
Later on there was a capoeira show going on in the bamboo bar in the hostel in the evening, and after getting our 3rd free drink (and counting) we sat dfown to watch the group of tiny kids and some older folk too.
WOW thewy were amazing! So so so fast and good! The kids, and the older ones (teaschers) too. We tried to take some poictures, but apart from some funny poses they moved too fast and you just see a load of open mouthed faces with a blur in front!
When they'd shown us they're best tricks, they asked if anyone wanted to join in- some boys went and showed off, and were generally put to the floor (ever so gently).
Someone came and tried to get me to have a go, I said 'no, no no, definately not, i can't' like you do (like I do anyway), but he picked me up and carried me!
I waited my turn shaking a bit then he just said *copy me*
and it was fine! it was really fun!
It helped that he was so brilliant at it, so when I missed a beat he instantly changed to go with it...
At the end he flipped me right over backwards!
I was so exhilerated and glad he got me to do it, I want to do it again!
Rose had a go too, and managed very well especially considering she was in a skirt!
When we*d done that we were buzzing and really excited, so the idea of not going to the party was just silly...
We did wonder for a bit because we*ve spent quite a lot of money bla bla bla... but decided to go anyway.
Sat 17th Jan... Mellow Yellow! by Ash
We are now fully aquainted with mellow yellow hostel. After breakfast on the beach (Copacabana praia) we made use of the internet, had a cup of coffee, faffed and fannied around a lot, and then finally took off on metro to Uruguaiana market which was brilliant fun, full of hustle and bustle, noise and colour. We found some lovely aztec jewellry, beads and feathers and got a bit carried away I think. We're probably going to have to watch ourselves, there's still a few months to go!
I got myself a bikini, finally, a flowery orange number! It took ages as they all seemed so skimpy! I'm so glad we found one though as we've been for a dip in the sea. It was mad, just a mass of golden and black brown bodies covering the sand. It's a lot busier than last time we were here! We felt so pale compared, and neither of us are particularly white!
We have booked a Favella tour tomorrow!
I got myself a bikini, finally, a flowery orange number! It took ages as they all seemed so skimpy! I'm so glad we found one though as we've been for a dip in the sea. It was mad, just a mass of golden and black brown bodies covering the sand. It's a lot busier than last time we were here! We felt so pale compared, and neither of us are particularly white!
We have booked a Favella tour tomorrow!
Saturday the 17th Jan... We are in Rio de Janeiro!!... by both of us :)
We are sitting on a pale sandy praia, it's around 7am and a cool breeze has just arrived to refresh us after our coach journey.
We are eating watermelon and have oranges and mini mangoes that we brought from a little market stall. Such a friendly market stall!
We are in Rio de Janeiro!
We are eating watermelon and have oranges and mini mangoes that we brought from a little market stall. Such a friendly market stall!
We are in Rio de Janeiro!
Sunday, 18 January 2009
partyeeeee! =D
we're just our way to a Rio DE Janeiro Favela Party!!!!!!=O =D
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ash and meg
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ash and meg
Saturday, 17 January 2009
16 Jan, Fri... Peanut liquor and Serendipity... by both of us!
Today was our last day in Sao Paulo! We thought we needed to book our coach really early so we got out the hostel as soon as we could. We left Meg`s shoes at O de Casa because she got sandals now! - and hot heavy shoes are going to be no good here.
As soon as we left we realised we`d forgotten to get the contacts of Minna and Mari, the 23 Finnish girls we`d met at the hostel, who are travelling in a similar sort of timeframe as us. But then we bumped into them on the tube so now we can meet up again in Sao Paulo at the end of our trips!
They`re going to Isla do Miel soon, where we were thinking of going before the end of our adventure.
We got our tickets for the midnight coach by1 so we had aaaaaaaages to wait... So we went for an explore, but Tiete was like a big concrete maze. We took a photo of the horror and turned on our tails and got back on the tube to the nearest greeny looking place on the map.
It was really great there! Loads of market stalls, really bustly and HUGE costume and party shops, with loads and LOADS of amazingly colourful glittery heaven of sparkles and joy and feathers and fabric and beads and sequins and yummmmmmmmmmm stuff!
When our eyes and legs started to hurt we found a scummy cafe to sit down in. We reluctantly went to the toilet. It was SO horrible and smelly and there was an innappropriate man. It was mutually the worst bit of our trip, but we were fine.
After wondering around for another while and stil not finding the park we found a big square outside a huge church and we saw a group of cheeky youths doing capoeira. Some of them played the birembao and the tamborine and the rest took turns at dancing.
They were really good, amazing to watch, really close to fighting without touching at all.
They offered to teach us how but we were both tired from dragging around for hours, so we turned it down, but we`re regretting it now!
Two drunken friendlies with armfuls of jewellery came to talk to us and we brought seed necklaces to take home. They gave Ash a copper bracelet with a cowrie shell as well.
After dithering for a while and eating we came back to the coach station to dither some more, and now at about 1am we`re on our way to Rio de Janeiro!
xx x x x x x love to everyone! :)
As soon as we left we realised we`d forgotten to get the contacts of Minna and Mari, the 23 Finnish girls we`d met at the hostel, who are travelling in a similar sort of timeframe as us. But then we bumped into them on the tube so now we can meet up again in Sao Paulo at the end of our trips!
They`re going to Isla do Miel soon, where we were thinking of going before the end of our adventure.
We got our tickets for the midnight coach by1 so we had aaaaaaaages to wait... So we went for an explore, but Tiete was like a big concrete maze. We took a photo of the horror and turned on our tails and got back on the tube to the nearest greeny looking place on the map.
It was really great there! Loads of market stalls, really bustly and HUGE costume and party shops, with loads and LOADS of amazingly colourful glittery heaven of sparkles and joy and feathers and fabric and beads and sequins and yummmmmmmmmmm stuff!
When our eyes and legs started to hurt we found a scummy cafe to sit down in. We reluctantly went to the toilet. It was SO horrible and smelly and there was an innappropriate man. It was mutually the worst bit of our trip, but we were fine.
After wondering around for another while and stil not finding the park we found a big square outside a huge church and we saw a group of cheeky youths doing capoeira. Some of them played the birembao and the tamborine and the rest took turns at dancing.
They were really good, amazing to watch, really close to fighting without touching at all.
They offered to teach us how but we were both tired from dragging around for hours, so we turned it down, but we`re regretting it now!
Two drunken friendlies with armfuls of jewellery came to talk to us and we brought seed necklaces to take home. They gave Ash a copper bracelet with a cowrie shell as well.
After dithering for a while and eating we came back to the coach station to dither some more, and now at about 1am we`re on our way to Rio de Janeiro!
xx x x x x x love to everyone! :)
15 Jan... Suja Feliz! ... by Meg
We`re both here and happy!
Rose arrived no problems, which was so exciting )
Once she`d showered and thing we went on the metro to the park that I`d skirted past on Tuesday with the boys, it was so great to be there with someone with similar views to me!
When we got home it started thundering and lightning again, and absolutely chucking it down it was so exciting! We ran outside to get some fruit and things to make a cake tomorrow, and there was water rushing down the road as deep as halfway up the car tyres!
All the locals looked at us funny while we ran around in the rain, all hiding under umbrellas or whatever they could (now i see why there`s so many brollies for sale!)
Today`s been really nice, we went for a walk down this street with loads of colourful music and percussion shops.
There is a lot of lovely stuff here but I have to admit I am looking forward to getting out of the city- to where it`s authentic and cultured and genuine and hopefully a bit cheaper too!
Toniht`s our last night in the hostel, tomorrow we`re going to catch an overnight bus to Rio de Janeiro! Wow!
We madea delicious refreshing fruity tiramisu cheesecake today to share with the others at the hostel...
French sugary biscuits
Coffee
Banana, Apricots, Amonds, Necarine, (Mango, Papaya if you`ve got them)
Cream cheese
Somesugar
Cinnamon
Put thebiscuitsat the bottom of a nice bowl, with just enough fresh coffee to get in all of them.
Slice the fruit and chop the almonds and mix the4m with the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon (carnelo) and put it all on the soggy biscuits.
Sliced fruit on top looks pretty!
It`s not too sweet, and nice.
We`re hot!
Rose arrived no problems, which was so exciting )
Once she`d showered and thing we went on the metro to the park that I`d skirted past on Tuesday with the boys, it was so great to be there with someone with similar views to me!
When we got home it started thundering and lightning again, and absolutely chucking it down it was so exciting! We ran outside to get some fruit and things to make a cake tomorrow, and there was water rushing down the road as deep as halfway up the car tyres!
All the locals looked at us funny while we ran around in the rain, all hiding under umbrellas or whatever they could (now i see why there`s so many brollies for sale!)
Today`s been really nice, we went for a walk down this street with loads of colourful music and percussion shops.
There is a lot of lovely stuff here but I have to admit I am looking forward to getting out of the city- to where it`s authentic and cultured and genuine and hopefully a bit cheaper too!
Toniht`s our last night in the hostel, tomorrow we`re going to catch an overnight bus to Rio de Janeiro! Wow!
We madea delicious refreshing fruity tiramisu cheesecake today to share with the others at the hostel...
French sugary biscuits
Coffee
Banana, Apricots, Amonds, Necarine, (Mango, Papaya if you`ve got them)
Cream cheese
Somesugar
Cinnamon
Put thebiscuitsat the bottom of a nice bowl, with just enough fresh coffee to get in all of them.
Slice the fruit and chop the almonds and mix the4m with the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon (carnelo) and put it all on the soggy biscuits.
Sliced fruit on top looks pretty!
It`s not too sweet, and nice.
We`re hot!
Thursday, 15 January 2009
hello every body ...by Ash
ola bonita people!
sorry its taken me so lovng to write, other guests need the computers too and we've been hogging them sorting out future hostels and woof places too much already =P
well im finally here, despite arrivinga day or 2 later then meg(i1ll tell that story another time). its warm,beautiful and tropical, our holtel is called O de Casa, and we have an avocado tree outside with little green parrots perched on top.
Sao Paulo is nice, but huuge and not the most exciting/culteral place in Brazil, so im looking forward to moving on and exploring more. which in fact will be tomorrow; we're getting a night coach to Rio and staying there for a few days, before heading upwards towards Salvador. Hopefully we shall be woofing at a fruit,cacao and horse fazenda on the way. we1ve just been trying to contact them today.
its also fairly expensive here, so we're looking forward to getting out of the city. the fruit here is amazing and colourful and juicy. we just made a cheese,fruit,coffee cake tirumisu thing to share with the other people here.
yesterday there was a tropical storm and me and meg ran around in the rain,thunder and lighting. thenwent to the shop,soakoing wet where all the locals were sheltering and staring at us!
so much love to you all!
Ash xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
sorry its taken me so lovng to write, other guests need the computers too and we've been hogging them sorting out future hostels and woof places too much already =P
well im finally here, despite arrivinga day or 2 later then meg(i1ll tell that story another time). its warm,beautiful and tropical, our holtel is called O de Casa, and we have an avocado tree outside with little green parrots perched on top.
Sao Paulo is nice, but huuge and not the most exciting/culteral place in Brazil, so im looking forward to moving on and exploring more. which in fact will be tomorrow; we're getting a night coach to Rio and staying there for a few days, before heading upwards towards Salvador. Hopefully we shall be woofing at a fruit,cacao and horse fazenda on the way. we1ve just been trying to contact them today.
its also fairly expensive here, so we're looking forward to getting out of the city. the fruit here is amazing and colourful and juicy. we just made a cheese,fruit,coffee cake tirumisu thing to share with the other people here.
yesterday there was a tropical storm and me and meg ran around in the rain,thunder and lighting. thenwent to the shop,soakoing wet where all the locals were sheltering and staring at us!
so much love to you all!
Ash xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
14 Jan... from Meg
I'm just waiting for Ash to arrive now. I expect I'll have much less time to write in here once she does so I might as well do as much as possible now!
I made friends with two Israelis, Ya Ir and Ran, yesterday afternoon. They told me they were going to an art gallery and to a street that was supposed to be like 5th avenue in New York, and asked if I'd like to go with them. I thought I might as well since I needed something to keep me awake- it felt like evening but it was still only early. I found out it is only 2 hours out here though!
They turned out to be nice, very helpful, and they showed me how to use the metro- apparently ther besat in the world but as far as I can tell it's only got 2 lines! Very lovely lines though :)
The gallery was free just for the day, and the exhibition seemed to be every sort of art. Among many I don't know, there was some Dali, Monet and Van Goch, and some paintings from the colonisation of Brazil- rainforests, exhaggeratedly beautiful, and those trademark islands off Rio.
There was a kids climbing frame but mad of scaffolding and I got told off for taking a photo. Ran said- 'I wouldn't want to see kids playing on there, too dangerous!' I was thinking, 'why?'
There are trees growing on the streets (the same as the U.K) except they're huge things with vines hanging off them and they look like they came out of the rainforest! But then we came across this park and it really wass like a little piece of rainforest in the middle of town, except with street lights in it. Better than Kew Gardens! I can't wait to show Ash!
The '5th Avenue' seemed a bit small and tatty, maybe I expected too much... but there were lots of very posh shops. We went and got a drink in a coffee shop and then home.
I thought I'd have a 'little nap' before dinner but didn't wake up till I heard the most ginourmous roll of thunder at about 10:30, or half midnight in the U.K. My phone was magically working so I text mum, dad and Rhiannon- I'd promised them all I'd let them know I was o.k! Then instead of cooking dinner I went back to sleep.
This morning I woke up about 7, good old time difference, Ash should be nearly in Brazil!! Had a cool shower (yum) and some breakfast and got a phone call off Stef, it was really good to talk to him. Ash apparently got the messages and has the right address, yay!
While I was leaning out the window on the phone I noticed that the racket coming from the avocado tree was about 20- 30 little green parrots, wowee!
Not really missing Wales yet. Give it time x x x x
I made friends with two Israelis, Ya Ir and Ran, yesterday afternoon. They told me they were going to an art gallery and to a street that was supposed to be like 5th avenue in New York, and asked if I'd like to go with them. I thought I might as well since I needed something to keep me awake- it felt like evening but it was still only early. I found out it is only 2 hours out here though!
They turned out to be nice, very helpful, and they showed me how to use the metro- apparently ther besat in the world but as far as I can tell it's only got 2 lines! Very lovely lines though :)
The gallery was free just for the day, and the exhibition seemed to be every sort of art. Among many I don't know, there was some Dali, Monet and Van Goch, and some paintings from the colonisation of Brazil- rainforests, exhaggeratedly beautiful, and those trademark islands off Rio.
There was a kids climbing frame but mad of scaffolding and I got told off for taking a photo. Ran said- 'I wouldn't want to see kids playing on there, too dangerous!' I was thinking, 'why?'
There are trees growing on the streets (the same as the U.K) except they're huge things with vines hanging off them and they look like they came out of the rainforest! But then we came across this park and it really wass like a little piece of rainforest in the middle of town, except with street lights in it. Better than Kew Gardens! I can't wait to show Ash!
The '5th Avenue' seemed a bit small and tatty, maybe I expected too much... but there were lots of very posh shops. We went and got a drink in a coffee shop and then home.
I thought I'd have a 'little nap' before dinner but didn't wake up till I heard the most ginourmous roll of thunder at about 10:30, or half midnight in the U.K. My phone was magically working so I text mum, dad and Rhiannon- I'd promised them all I'd let them know I was o.k! Then instead of cooking dinner I went back to sleep.
This morning I woke up about 7, good old time difference, Ash should be nearly in Brazil!! Had a cool shower (yum) and some breakfast and got a phone call off Stef, it was really good to talk to him. Ash apparently got the messages and has the right address, yay!
While I was leaning out the window on the phone I noticed that the racket coming from the avocado tree was about 20- 30 little green parrots, wowee!
Not really missing Wales yet. Give it time x x x x
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
13 Jan... :) from Meg
So I'm here in the hostel! I'm lying on the grass outside in the shade, I've just had a shower (phew!) And (I hope) I have got in contact with Ash to tell her how to get here.
The plane journey was o.k, a bit of a nightmare to be honest but only as much as you'd expect.
I spoke to a nice Icelandic man on the plane to Frankfurt, who said that Sao Paulo isn't safe, that Latin Americans are happy people but stubborn to speak English, which is fair enough- a lot of people are and to be honest I don't blame them. I think it's far too easy for English speakers to just assume that everyone will go out of their way for us, without having to make an effort almost anywhere we go.
The change was in Frankfurt, where I got my only pins and needles of the whole journey!
Everywhere I sat down someone would come and say I had to buy something or move on. I didn't have any Euros and didn't want to get any either, so I found a lovely corner and did crosswords for a few hours.
On the next bit I thought I was in 1st class by accident! I guess that's just overnight flights. Every seat had a little screen and you could plug headphones in. Nothing really worked though so it wasn't as good as it looked.
I was sat in between two quite unfriendly German men who didn't seem interested in making friends, so since I had no music and the films didn't work I zoned out and didn't even stand up once.
At one point I woke up sleeping on one of the unfriendly Germans shoulders! I don't think he minded though, he was asleep too. oops! I just can't control myself.
Well you should be very proud of me, I've been very grown up, because when I got to the airport there was nobody waiting to pick me up. And after half an hour there was still no-one. So I had to ask the man (in Portugese, Go me!)
Excuse me I would like to go to Internet, Please.
Pieced together from what I sort of know. Well he understood anyway so I found the hostel number, called them to "sorry sorry the car broke down there is nothing we can do!"
I was sort of relieved in a way that it wasn't me who'd made some stupid mistake, and went outside and asked the taxi driver to take me, AND how much he would charge! He understood again, I was amazed again and we drove off out of the airport.
WOWEE I'd forgotten how bright the sun is! There's a whole great big direction that you can't even squint at it's so bright.
There's all these trees which you'd never see in Europe, great big ones with huge thick luscious green leaves, and flowers all over them like a drawing. And the moon was out, very nearly full, just to add to the picture-esque-ness of it all.
You know how whenever people from 'away' come to Wales they always go on about how green everything it? Well Brazil is deep bright emerald!
The taxi driver asked me where I was from and I was pleased to be able to tell him, and whether it was my first time in Brazil and I understood. I'm really suprised at how much I've picked up! I really thought I hadn't done very well.
I'm sorry I'll stop being so big headed and get used to it soon, at the moment though I'm just suprised!
It more and more built up until I thought I was in the city, and I could see smog which I've never seen before except in pictures. Then we rounded a corner and there was nthis huge forest of enormous tower blocks, as far as the eye could see and further, fading off into the smog in all directions. Really it took my breath away- this city is HUGE!
I sit there pondering for a minute and finally come out with
"Esse e o grande cidade!" (Yessss!)
Nice taxi driver laughed and agreed.
When I got to the hostel they were really apologetic and gave me breakfast and coffee. They're really friendly and taught me how to say phone card so I can call Ash and tell her it's better to get the taxi, and where to.
I had such a fun time going to the shops! Before I came I thought I wouldn't go anywhere by byself but it's fine, it's a really nice neighbourhood. I've got to be honest though, part of it was me thinking how could anything horrible happen somewhere where the sun shines so brightly?! :)
All the posh houses wouldn't be barricaded with fences and razor wire for nothing.
I got some food at the supermarket- it's as or more expensive than U.K! Loaves of bread for 5-6reais, which is about 2pounds, Jard of pasta sauce for about 13reais.
But I've got a papaya and some grapes the size of lychees and I can't wait to eat them!
I called Stef's phone with my new phone card, and could only get the answerphone. So I've left a couple of messages telling Ash how to get here, because the hostel don't know when to go and pick her up- we don't know the flight number or anything. I've just written her an email in case she didn't get the message. Hopefully it won't come to that though- I'll try Stef again and check she got the message, and if she didn't I'll try and persuade the hostel people to just go there and wait for her! Or I1ll get the metro and meet her, or something. But like I say, fingers crossed.
But for now I'm sitting in the garden, it's blissfully sunny, there's all these exotic birds in the exotic trees and I can hear someone laying jazzy trumpet. All the Fins who were here this morning have gone so for now I think I'm the only person staying! But everyone who works here lives here so there's plenty going on, and there's meant to be people arriving by this evening. If I'm still awake then!
I feel like it's about 5pm (which it is, over there) but it's 2 or 3 here! (depends what clock you look at, so I'm not entirely sure!)
Hmmm I better stop writing or I'll bore you about the colourful little dove that just came into the garden, and the big juicy avocados hanging above me too high to reach...
Speaking of which there's some suspicious looking weed growing amang the bougainvilleas!
The plane journey was o.k, a bit of a nightmare to be honest but only as much as you'd expect.
I spoke to a nice Icelandic man on the plane to Frankfurt, who said that Sao Paulo isn't safe, that Latin Americans are happy people but stubborn to speak English, which is fair enough- a lot of people are and to be honest I don't blame them. I think it's far too easy for English speakers to just assume that everyone will go out of their way for us, without having to make an effort almost anywhere we go.
The change was in Frankfurt, where I got my only pins and needles of the whole journey!
Everywhere I sat down someone would come and say I had to buy something or move on. I didn't have any Euros and didn't want to get any either, so I found a lovely corner and did crosswords for a few hours.
On the next bit I thought I was in 1st class by accident! I guess that's just overnight flights. Every seat had a little screen and you could plug headphones in. Nothing really worked though so it wasn't as good as it looked.
I was sat in between two quite unfriendly German men who didn't seem interested in making friends, so since I had no music and the films didn't work I zoned out and didn't even stand up once.
At one point I woke up sleeping on one of the unfriendly Germans shoulders! I don't think he minded though, he was asleep too. oops! I just can't control myself.
Well you should be very proud of me, I've been very grown up, because when I got to the airport there was nobody waiting to pick me up. And after half an hour there was still no-one. So I had to ask the man (in Portugese, Go me!)
Excuse me I would like to go to Internet, Please.
Pieced together from what I sort of know. Well he understood anyway so I found the hostel number, called them to "sorry sorry the car broke down there is nothing we can do!"
I was sort of relieved in a way that it wasn't me who'd made some stupid mistake, and went outside and asked the taxi driver to take me, AND how much he would charge! He understood again, I was amazed again and we drove off out of the airport.
WOWEE I'd forgotten how bright the sun is! There's a whole great big direction that you can't even squint at it's so bright.
There's all these trees which you'd never see in Europe, great big ones with huge thick luscious green leaves, and flowers all over them like a drawing. And the moon was out, very nearly full, just to add to the picture-esque-ness of it all.
You know how whenever people from 'away' come to Wales they always go on about how green everything it? Well Brazil is deep bright emerald!
The taxi driver asked me where I was from and I was pleased to be able to tell him, and whether it was my first time in Brazil and I understood. I'm really suprised at how much I've picked up! I really thought I hadn't done very well.
I'm sorry I'll stop being so big headed and get used to it soon, at the moment though I'm just suprised!
It more and more built up until I thought I was in the city, and I could see smog which I've never seen before except in pictures. Then we rounded a corner and there was nthis huge forest of enormous tower blocks, as far as the eye could see and further, fading off into the smog in all directions. Really it took my breath away- this city is HUGE!
I sit there pondering for a minute and finally come out with
"Esse e o grande cidade!" (Yessss!)
Nice taxi driver laughed and agreed.
When I got to the hostel they were really apologetic and gave me breakfast and coffee. They're really friendly and taught me how to say phone card so I can call Ash and tell her it's better to get the taxi, and where to.
I had such a fun time going to the shops! Before I came I thought I wouldn't go anywhere by byself but it's fine, it's a really nice neighbourhood. I've got to be honest though, part of it was me thinking how could anything horrible happen somewhere where the sun shines so brightly?! :)
All the posh houses wouldn't be barricaded with fences and razor wire for nothing.
I got some food at the supermarket- it's as or more expensive than U.K! Loaves of bread for 5-6reais, which is about 2pounds, Jard of pasta sauce for about 13reais.
But I've got a papaya and some grapes the size of lychees and I can't wait to eat them!
I called Stef's phone with my new phone card, and could only get the answerphone. So I've left a couple of messages telling Ash how to get here, because the hostel don't know when to go and pick her up- we don't know the flight number or anything. I've just written her an email in case she didn't get the message. Hopefully it won't come to that though- I'll try Stef again and check she got the message, and if she didn't I'll try and persuade the hostel people to just go there and wait for her! Or I1ll get the metro and meet her, or something. But like I say, fingers crossed.
But for now I'm sitting in the garden, it's blissfully sunny, there's all these exotic birds in the exotic trees and I can hear someone laying jazzy trumpet. All the Fins who were here this morning have gone so for now I think I'm the only person staying! But everyone who works here lives here so there's plenty going on, and there's meant to be people arriving by this evening. If I'm still awake then!
I feel like it's about 5pm (which it is, over there) but it's 2 or 3 here! (depends what clock you look at, so I'm not entirely sure!)
Hmmm I better stop writing or I'll bore you about the colourful little dove that just came into the garden, and the big juicy avocados hanging above me too high to reach...
Speaking of which there's some suspicious looking weed growing amang the bougainvilleas!
12 Jan... You can't flutter your eyelashes over the phone!... from Meg
I'm sitting on the plane feeling very surreal. Not just because I'm finally (already?!) on my way there, but because the elusive Ash isn't even with me! The last day and night have been very weird and I've got to admit stressful. Last night at Rhiannon and Pats house Ash said to me,
"You won't believe it I checked my passport and it's just valid until May!" in a sort of, 'isn't that lucky' sort of way... This would be fine since we're coming back in April, but the thing is your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your return date!
So after convincing Ash and Stef I really wasn't joking, we checked to see if I was just wrong (I wasn't, dammit) and the next few hours was a frantic rush of hectic phonecalls and computer research.
Ash spoke to the nasty passport lady who said there's absolutely no chance you can get in, and absolutely no chance you can get a new passport in time either. So we tried to find out if we could change our flight so close to leaving, but couldn't get through to the airline at all as it was late by now. But we found out she could get a new passport (at a price) within 4 hours of an appointment at the passport office, which opened at 7:45am! So we were counting on our fingers trying to work out if, if they got an appointment straight away they had 2 hours to get across London to the airport and check in.
Inbetween the fuzz of mild but rising panic I did take a moment to be grateful i was travelling with Ash, because despite the stress, the feeling was more "At least we realised this now" rather than plain old "Shit shit shit oh no!"
At least the bad stuff's been chucked at us early on so the rest of the trip should go smoothly. Touch wood! If I can find any, on the plane.
So... we figured we'd done all we could until places started to open, so we packed in our research and I just put a few more songs on my ipod for our travels, before going to sleep. Ash and Stef set their alarms for 6:30 so that they could go and queue at the passport place nice and early, because I had a suspicion these places do have queues (I'm so glad I thought of that...)
Ash lent me some of the reais that Dutchy gave her so I've got something to arrive with, in case they don't make it in time in which case as long as we can change the flight I'll have to go before her! If we can't change the flight then we can't go.
This morning Ash and Stef set off really early, I lay in a bit and had plenty of time to have a shower and some breakfast, and it was nice to see Rhiannon before she had to go to work as well. I felt relieved to get a text off Ash saying that they were at the front of a very long queue at the passpot office, and gave my intuition a pat on the back!
Very soon I was on my way to the tube, looking crazy without a coat, and saw grey drizzly London for (fingers crossed) thew last time in a while. Nice to see the weather at its most miserable and to walk past the forced and pallid fruits at the grocers! Sorry to be smug...
Ash called to say the passport would be 4 hours max, at 9ish, and all felt fine. It was just a matter of waiting and then them rushing over to Heathrow, and go!
But since our whole holiday rested on them getting to the airport on time, I felt it was a bit of a gamble and couldn't quite relax, so when I got to the airport I asked the man what he thought we should do, and after I explained our situation he was so kind and helpful, and booked Ash a seat in tomorrow's flight as a 'just in case' measure.
When I called Ash to let her know, she sounded so grim I really thought someone else had answered her phone, I didn't recognise her! She told me the passport people hadn't told her that she had to pay beforehand, and this meant it hadn't even begun to be processed. There was almost no chance it would go through in time. She'd also phoned up the airline and they'd told her they couldn't change her flight! She thought I was joking when I said I'd done it already, poor things they must have thought she wouldn't be able to go! It felt really good to be able to say it was going to be fine whether she arrived on time or not.
I was just thinking though, what if I hadn't asked thew man yet?! we would have spoken to some meanie on the phone and probably taken their word for it - same as the passport person! I wouldn't be sitting on the plane right now but crying somewhere in grey London - or probably looking for a nice van to spend my savings on he he.
So today I've learnt that there's something about talking to someone on the phone which means they just won't be half as nice to you as speaking in person.
Anyway Ash got the passport with not quite enough time to get to o aeroporto, so once I was certain I'd got her a place on tomorrow's flight (I had to be certain- I didn't want to be stranded in Sao Paulo by myself!) I checked in my amazing 2 part bag (thanks mum!) and made my way into the maze.
It was really nice to speak to dad, after I'd told him what was happening I asked him to wish me luck, and he told me I didn't need it and that I would be fine, which made mw feel much better. I called mum at work and both of us nearly cried a little bit, I didn't tell her about the complications until they were solved to save her worrying to death.
Today is not a lucky day though, the flight got delayed ironically just enough time to have allowed Ash to get here on time! Ah well. It's going to be an adventure for me doing this on my own, anyway! Like I said to Rhiannon, I've always wanted to go travelling by myself one day. Trouble is I've also always said I'm not ready yet, too!
At least I'll always be able to say I travelled to Sao Paulo by myself once upon a time :)
The only other thing and I really hope it's the only thing, was that while I was sitting in the lounge waiting earlier, I thought- I might as well start listening to some of the music I've spent so long putting onto my ipod for my trip. But it looks like when I plugged it into Rhiannon and Pat's computer yesterday it somehow ruined all of the songs I have except for what I downloaded at Rhiannons- which was unfortunately Beth Orton. I love her music but it isn't the most cheerful, and if it's all I've got to listen to I might weep for the entire journey. Which wouldn't be the best start to my trip!
"You won't believe it I checked my passport and it's just valid until May!" in a sort of, 'isn't that lucky' sort of way... This would be fine since we're coming back in April, but the thing is your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your return date!
So after convincing Ash and Stef I really wasn't joking, we checked to see if I was just wrong (I wasn't, dammit) and the next few hours was a frantic rush of hectic phonecalls and computer research.
Ash spoke to the nasty passport lady who said there's absolutely no chance you can get in, and absolutely no chance you can get a new passport in time either. So we tried to find out if we could change our flight so close to leaving, but couldn't get through to the airline at all as it was late by now. But we found out she could get a new passport (at a price) within 4 hours of an appointment at the passport office, which opened at 7:45am! So we were counting on our fingers trying to work out if, if they got an appointment straight away they had 2 hours to get across London to the airport and check in.
Inbetween the fuzz of mild but rising panic I did take a moment to be grateful i was travelling with Ash, because despite the stress, the feeling was more "At least we realised this now" rather than plain old "Shit shit shit oh no!"
At least the bad stuff's been chucked at us early on so the rest of the trip should go smoothly. Touch wood! If I can find any, on the plane.
So... we figured we'd done all we could until places started to open, so we packed in our research and I just put a few more songs on my ipod for our travels, before going to sleep. Ash and Stef set their alarms for 6:30 so that they could go and queue at the passport place nice and early, because I had a suspicion these places do have queues (I'm so glad I thought of that...)
Ash lent me some of the reais that Dutchy gave her so I've got something to arrive with, in case they don't make it in time in which case as long as we can change the flight I'll have to go before her! If we can't change the flight then we can't go.
This morning Ash and Stef set off really early, I lay in a bit and had plenty of time to have a shower and some breakfast, and it was nice to see Rhiannon before she had to go to work as well. I felt relieved to get a text off Ash saying that they were at the front of a very long queue at the passpot office, and gave my intuition a pat on the back!
Very soon I was on my way to the tube, looking crazy without a coat, and saw grey drizzly London for (fingers crossed) thew last time in a while. Nice to see the weather at its most miserable and to walk past the forced and pallid fruits at the grocers! Sorry to be smug...
Ash called to say the passport would be 4 hours max, at 9ish, and all felt fine. It was just a matter of waiting and then them rushing over to Heathrow, and go!
But since our whole holiday rested on them getting to the airport on time, I felt it was a bit of a gamble and couldn't quite relax, so when I got to the airport I asked the man what he thought we should do, and after I explained our situation he was so kind and helpful, and booked Ash a seat in tomorrow's flight as a 'just in case' measure.
When I called Ash to let her know, she sounded so grim I really thought someone else had answered her phone, I didn't recognise her! She told me the passport people hadn't told her that she had to pay beforehand, and this meant it hadn't even begun to be processed. There was almost no chance it would go through in time. She'd also phoned up the airline and they'd told her they couldn't change her flight! She thought I was joking when I said I'd done it already, poor things they must have thought she wouldn't be able to go! It felt really good to be able to say it was going to be fine whether she arrived on time or not.
I was just thinking though, what if I hadn't asked thew man yet?! we would have spoken to some meanie on the phone and probably taken their word for it - same as the passport person! I wouldn't be sitting on the plane right now but crying somewhere in grey London - or probably looking for a nice van to spend my savings on he he.
So today I've learnt that there's something about talking to someone on the phone which means they just won't be half as nice to you as speaking in person.
Anyway Ash got the passport with not quite enough time to get to o aeroporto, so once I was certain I'd got her a place on tomorrow's flight (I had to be certain- I didn't want to be stranded in Sao Paulo by myself!) I checked in my amazing 2 part bag (thanks mum!) and made my way into the maze.
It was really nice to speak to dad, after I'd told him what was happening I asked him to wish me luck, and he told me I didn't need it and that I would be fine, which made mw feel much better. I called mum at work and both of us nearly cried a little bit, I didn't tell her about the complications until they were solved to save her worrying to death.
Today is not a lucky day though, the flight got delayed ironically just enough time to have allowed Ash to get here on time! Ah well. It's going to be an adventure for me doing this on my own, anyway! Like I said to Rhiannon, I've always wanted to go travelling by myself one day. Trouble is I've also always said I'm not ready yet, too!
At least I'll always be able to say I travelled to Sao Paulo by myself once upon a time :)
The only other thing and I really hope it's the only thing, was that while I was sitting in the lounge waiting earlier, I thought- I might as well start listening to some of the music I've spent so long putting onto my ipod for my trip. But it looks like when I plugged it into Rhiannon and Pat's computer yesterday it somehow ruined all of the songs I have except for what I downloaded at Rhiannons- which was unfortunately Beth Orton. I love her music but it isn't the most cheerful, and if it's all I've got to listen to I might weep for the entire journey. Which wouldn't be the best start to my trip!
7 Jan Beginning to buzz! from Meg
Ok it's definately really really soon now. I can't believe we're really doing it! We're going to Brazil!
I went and got my malaria tablets today, they cost 175 pounds! I'm so scared of the list of side effects of the cheaper ones that's all.
I've got this weird feeling the whole time though that there must be some huge thing I've forgotten, or something I need to do to make sure everything'll be alright.
But I can't actually think of anything I haven't done- I should have enough money to last me, I've got my jabs, travelling insurance, the hostel in Sao Paulo are picking us up from o aeroporto... Must be everything?
On Sunday eve Rhiannon and Pat are making dinner for me, Bea and Thersa (my aunties) Dan and Sarah (my cousins) and Greg ( my uncle) as we haven't all seen each other for ages, and it's our last chance for a wee while too. It will be really nice to see them all! Then Ash and Stef are coming too so it's nice and easy to get to the airport in the morning. I can't wait! :)
I went and got my malaria tablets today, they cost 175 pounds! I'm so scared of the list of side effects of the cheaper ones that's all.
I've got this weird feeling the whole time though that there must be some huge thing I've forgotten, or something I need to do to make sure everything'll be alright.
But I can't actually think of anything I haven't done- I should have enough money to last me, I've got my jabs, travelling insurance, the hostel in Sao Paulo are picking us up from o aeroporto... Must be everything?
On Sunday eve Rhiannon and Pat are making dinner for me, Bea and Thersa (my aunties) Dan and Sarah (my cousins) and Greg ( my uncle) as we haven't all seen each other for ages, and it's our last chance for a wee while too. It will be really nice to see them all! Then Ash and Stef are coming too so it's nice and easy to get to the airport in the morning. I can't wait! :)
We're going! from Meg
I've done it! I bought the tickets today! We're definately going to Brazil! :) We're flying to Sao Paulo on the 12th of January, and coming back to Heathrow on the 8th of April. The whole thing seems sort of ages away and sort of really really close at the same time! I can't wait :)
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