Eu voltei!
That's portuguese for I'm back. We got the car back the next day, the bomba (pump) needed to be replaced. We set out for Vila Velha at about two o'clock in the afternoon. Some 13 hours later we were home. There were big hold-ups in and around Rio; it was already on the news before we left. Carnaval-goers from the South going North all pass through Rio, and this causes muito traffico. What I loved about the traffic jams, was that there were countless people selling everything from water, to newspapers, to peanuts, popcorn and small coffees (cafézinhos). If there is money to be made, a Brazilian will be there. People were actually making a living off the heavy traffic! Something to think about...
Some shots of the drive back:
Unfortunately I couldn't get any decent shots of Rio, we were only passing through, and the only good view from the bridge was blurred, so it wouldn't do the place any justice. It was very pretty at night, with several big cruise ships housed in the bay and the big beaches also lit up.
The same Sunday we got home, we left to go camping in Guarapari, a town 40 mins drive South from here. A holiday destination for most Capixabas (people from Espírito Santo, pronounced kapeeshabas) with some VERY nice beaches. Typical Brazilian praias with masses of umbrellas and little beach chairs, and of course lots of kiosks selling coconut water, beer, fried seafoods etc. We stayed in a house with twenty odd people from the church. Nice atmosphere with singing songs, cooking and visiting the Sorveteria (ice cream!). We got back Tuesday. While I was there, I got sunburnt after exceeding the limits of dutch-tanning, bitten over 30 times by mosquitos on my legs and feet (I am not exaggerating), and I got crazy little black spikes stuck in my fingers after trying to climb onto a rock from the sea. Yes, some pain there, but I'm not letting those things discourage me...
Although by now, most Brazilians are starting to go to work, for me school doesn't start until monday. I just got invited to a Ressaca da Carnaval, (Carnaval Hangover) that a girl in my class is hosting at her place. Kind of a, carnaval-is-over-but-let's-just-have-one-more-party type thing. I've been promised a pool, churrasco (YES!) and lots of people. It's at her condo on Itapoã beach, so Jarryd and I will go there tomorrow afternoon/evening.
That´s the update for now, thanks again for the heart-warming messages in the guestbook. Tchau e ótimo carnaval pra vocês!
Some shots of the drive back:
More or less in centro São Paulo, all in all pretty dirty
Driving out of São Paulo, seemingly endless city
Nice mountains in between São Paulo and Rio
Cruising down the 'Serra'
Unfortunately I couldn't get any decent shots of Rio, we were only passing through, and the only good view from the bridge was blurred, so it wouldn't do the place any justice. It was very pretty at night, with several big cruise ships housed in the bay and the big beaches also lit up.
The same Sunday we got home, we left to go camping in Guarapari, a town 40 mins drive South from here. A holiday destination for most Capixabas (people from Espírito Santo, pronounced kapeeshabas) with some VERY nice beaches. Typical Brazilian praias with masses of umbrellas and little beach chairs, and of course lots of kiosks selling coconut water, beer, fried seafoods etc. We stayed in a house with twenty odd people from the church. Nice atmosphere with singing songs, cooking and visiting the Sorveteria (ice cream!). We got back Tuesday. While I was there, I got sunburnt after exceeding the limits of dutch-tanning, bitten over 30 times by mosquitos on my legs and feet (I am not exaggerating), and I got crazy little black spikes stuck in my fingers after trying to climb onto a rock from the sea. Yes, some pain there, but I'm not letting those things discourage me...
Although by now, most Brazilians are starting to go to work, for me school doesn't start until monday. I just got invited to a Ressaca da Carnaval, (Carnaval Hangover) that a girl in my class is hosting at her place. Kind of a, carnaval-is-over-but-let's-just-have-one-more-party type thing. I've been promised a pool, churrasco (YES!) and lots of people. It's at her condo on Itapoã beach, so Jarryd and I will go there tomorrow afternoon/evening.
That´s the update for now, thanks again for the heart-warming messages in the guestbook. Tchau e ótimo carnaval pra vocês!
