Just noticed that my skin is already darker than when it was when I got here. I have a few months left here and don’t even want to imagine what I will look like on my way back home!
I can already hear those jokes coming 🙂
Latest Updates RSS
-
JA
-
JA
The above are the names of two American girls that I met here (in Rio). On saturday night, I wanted to take a break from my usual hang out buddies (hmmm… this can be understood as them being a little bit sick and tired of me lol) and asked them to plan the night and that I would just follow along.
At first, we were meant to attend a concert that would take place in Lagoa, a neighborhood to Ipanama, but the show got cancelled.
The plan B was to go in downtown to join with another friend of theirs then head into a favela to a home/tavern/pub. I don’t know how to describe that place (Casa 66, its name) but it’s basically someone’s home that becomes a social gathering place.
The host, I forgot his name, has a fascinating life story. He was a 70s war correspondent and did work in conflicts in the Middle East and got some fascinating scoops and exclusive footage. If I followed the story correctly, he eventually ended up in Rio where he elected domicile in a favela and I have no idea how he managed but the gangsters and drug lords that make favelas dangerous ended up leaving the place making it safer for the population.
I really will have to dig deeper into this story because it seems like one straight out of those adventure novels.
We took a cab to Casa 66 right deep into a favela. Favelas are usually built on a hill so you have to drive in circle upwards for a good ten minutes or so… The rest of the trip had to be made on offt as the path in the favelas are too narrow. Needless to say that we stood out like sore fingers… Two white girls, a dude with a guitar and I. I bet that I could have just blended in the scenery but people in the favelas knows who lives there and who does not.
(It makes sense… in my building in Montreal, I can be in the lift and tell if the person in it lives there or not. Not because, I know every single person there but because of subtle signs.)
We eventually got to Casa 66. We got introduced to our host and other bunch of people. It kind of felt weird as the majority of the people were clearly foreigners. A bunch of non locals in the middle of a favela. On the one hand it was kind of cool and on the other, it felt kind of cheesy because it felt as if we all wanted to be able to tell our friends back home that we did hang out in a favela although it was a relatively danger-free one. I am still debating if going there was not a form of arrogance or something in those lines.
At Casa 66, we did hang out, eat and listen to a wonderful Bossa Nova band. I already knew more than 90% of their rendition but to hear them live and with a different twist in a place far from my usual world was very magical. I took some pics that you can see at the gallery. Not many cos I did not see many people with cameras and beside, I really don’t want to go into favelas and take people’s picture. It just feels weird. I remember in a previous life when I was in a less favorable conditions and people would come take pics of the situation. It was not cool at all.
On the other hand, one might say that the world’s need to know… personally though by consideration, I will leave the favelas alone. Some pics from a distance maybe but not getting into people’s lives.
The party lasted until 4 AM and the Ash & Chloé decided that we could just walk back and catch a bus downtown. Now, I have a sense of responsibility and awareness but I assumed that if two girls were suggesting that, there would be no harm. We went down the favela and except for the few errant dogs and drunk people we came across, it was dead quiet. I guess everyone was asleep. My two friends were just talking as loud as they could and they did not seem to have a problem and were as comfortable as one could be in a safe neighborhood.
We eventually ended downtown which was more lively with people still partying and having good old fun. They barely paid attention to us. I wanted to join in and hang out but I was out of cash (I have a hard time figuring out how far money will take me here so I either always have too much money in my wallet or too little).
We took the bus and was looking fwd to a peaceful drive home until a bunch of guys who were obviously going home from partying too climbed on the bus. I was like “Oh merr—credi” cos I knew that things could get out of hand quickly. ChloĂ© was sitting alone so they assumed that she was alone and I was with Ashley. They started eyeing her big time and they got closer to her. I n my mind, I was like “Man, I am going to lose blood or possibly life here tonight!”
Ashley got off at her stop in Copacabana where she lives and ChloĂ© and I moved on along. To our luck, we got off to the same stop as the group of guys. They all looked at me and then ChloĂ© who was next to me and visibly was kind of freaked out. My mind was set… I had an action plan in mind and I was just having a chat with God telling Him that I would maybe get to meet Him in person in a few short minutes.
What happened?
Well, the guys looked at us and walked next to us for a bit and when we turned into our street, they turned in the opposing direction.
The sigh of relief that I had cannot be described well in my own words…
So that was an event filled night we had!
It was great though… i enjoyed myself.
This Monday though, I really have to go declare my presence to the consulate… things could really go wrong here. And I need to learn Portuguese too as not understanding what’s going on around me is a major hurdle….
Sorry for the long post :o) Thanks for reading!
-
JA
This morning I woke up early and in a good mood. Those who know me, ie: you, will tell you that it’s a very rare sight.
I wondered why until, I looked outside and saw the sun shining!!! I did not even take the time to swallow breakfast or even brush my teeth, I just put on my swimming gear and pretty much walked fast to the beach (there are not many Black people here and we all know how the Police reacts when a Black man is running – shoot first and ask questions later :))
The water was delicious if I may use that expression and very clear. I stayed in for about an hour or two but after was way too hungry and had to head back to eat.
After the lunch, I was too tired and did what you’d call an extended nap lol.
I really hope that tomorrow is an equally beautiful day so that i can master those waves.
Tonight, I am going out… I already have my camera in my pocket… will let you know how it went down
-
JA
My hosts took me to a Samba venue where we probably the only gringos in the room. It was my first experience and I must say that it was something else. I have been out a few times ever since getting here and if you follow my rants, you will remember that I said that going out at “normal” clubs here was no different to any country’s.
But the samba place was something special. First, the music, second the people actually having fun. Needless to say that they have some serious dance steps! According to my friends, it was a brief intro to the samba world and there’s more to discover!
Obviously, that had to be the night I forgot my camera at home so I am pretty annoyed by that. I hope to have some pics of a similar place next time I go out.
With the Carnaval around the corner, everyone is getting into the mood and I can’t wait to experience it.
-
JA
In the two weeks that I have been in Rio I have met people from all over the world (don’t even ask me to remember one name!).
Whenever I tell someone that I from MontrĂ©al, 90% of the times he or she will make mention of Montreal’s underground city. To be honest, I never really made a big deal out of this but now that I am kind of away, I realize how much it saves us (Montreal residents) from going through the freezing weather.
Also, people tend to ask me a lot about Canada’s and MontrĂ©al’s landmarks. I usually try to come up with the stupid obvious ones. I realize that I don’t know much about the city and the country I live in! Maybe before going running around checking how greener other countries’ pastures are, I discover my own city and country of residence!
It’s embarrassing to admit that in two weeks, I know more about Rio than I do about MontrĂ©al.
In other news… weather is still beach unfriendly. It’s been almost a week, no one, except those who don’t mind jumping into cold water, has been able to enjoy the beach and everything that’s associated with it. Thankfully, there are a lot of excellent alternatives.
Lately, I have been spending my days in Copacabana which is a very vibrant, hence loud, city. I have not taken many pics yet cos I don’t really want to stand out as a visitor as I am not comfy with the place yet. Eventually though, I will get the hang of it and will go on a crazy photo shooting spree.
-
JA
To my luck, this whole week is going to be filled with showers and the sky will be sunless. That means that most beach related activities will come to a halt. Plan B of course is to visit indoor places or do some admin stuff.
So Today, I head over to the Canadian consulate to declare myself and I am given a form to fill in. It turns out that it was a pointless exercise cos I had forgotten my id card at home, had no idea what my parents’ phone number is in Canada should an emergency occur and someone needs to be contacted and I even forgot my address in Ipanema as well as my phone number!
The lady just looked at me and mockingly asked me to return the following day.
To make matters even more interesting. I left home without enough money so I almost walked back home but luckily I had enough coins to make the fare.
The absence of the sun makes me dumb… that’s the conclusion
Oh by the way… a quick geography lessons to those who never paid attention in school. I am in Ipanema, Rio De Janeiro and not Panama, the country.
Ipanema is a suburb . In MontrĂ©al, you have Plateau Mont-Royal or Outremont or Vieux-Port for example. In Joburg, it would be Sandton, Rivonia, Rosebank. In Paris…. you see the point, I hope.
So don’t embarrass yourself by telling people that I am in Panama. I ain’t. I am in Ipanema.
That’s today’s lesson. I am hungry.
-
JA
Sunday was an OK day weather wise. The sky was clouded and since it had rained the night before it was useless to go to the beach.
At the same time, I did not want to bum around the whole day like I had on Saturday.
I decided to got to the botanical garden because I figured that it would be nice to see something beautiful on God’s day (btw… if anyone has any idea on how to find an English or French Church in Rio, please help!).
A new met friend offered to go with me.
I had seen some pictures of the garden and read some reviews. Again, the expression “it’s better to see once than to hear a thousand time” was proved right. The Jardim Botânico is so amazing!
I don’t think that I have seen any other better garden in my life. Maybe it’s because the older I grow, the more I appreciate nature’s beauty and God’s awesome creativity but I was mesmerized by the awesomeness of that place.
I could rave on and rave on but I am not a great writer and will not be able to convey the scenic beauty in words. I had my camera and took about 300 pictures. I uploaded about 220 for you to see what I am talking about and why I am loving this city everyday.
-
JA
Saturday night, I got to experience Rio’s nightlife. I checked out a few clubs and met some really cool people.
I spent most of my night at a soirĂ©e featuring a famous house DJ at a pretty posh venue with obviously stiff people. It’s amazing how these posh parties are always so dull and full of posers.
I told my friends that next time, I want to experience where down to Earth Cariocas party because I feel that they are more lively than what I saw!
Saturday was a rainy day so I spent it indoors catching up on a little bit of work, replying to some emails and doing something called sleeping cos I never have time to take naps anymore! My days are so eventful and so short!
I was nice to relax after a few weeks of getting ready for my trip then making the trip and getting settled. I now feel in tune with Rio’s lifestyle and except for the language barrier, I am pretty comfortable and enjoying every moment spent in this beautiful city.
-
JA
So, today’s been my first week in Rio De Janeiro. I am loving every minute so far. I am glad I chose to come spend time in Ipanema.
It’s a very lively and chill city and the ultimate place to spend the Canadian winter. I am certainly looking forward the remainder of my stay here.
The people I live with are nice (they’re readers of this diary so I have to say that :)), the people in the city are very friendly and life is cheap (although I figured out very fast that it’s a catch cos I tend to spend more money!) and there’s lots to do.
There’s no way I could explore this city and country in a few weeks. Three good months will be ideal.
I need to interrupt this bulletin to get outside cos I have just learned that it’s very beautiful and that I should not be behind my computer but out there. Wanna guess where I am off to?
If you did not guess: the beach, you are not paying attention….
Later!
-
JA
Today, after one week in Rio, the weather made it possible for me to spend a whole day at the beach.
The previous days, the sky was too clouded and the water kind of cold. Not freezing like the Cariocas (people from Rio) were saying but cold enough to make one catch a cold.
Today, there was no sight of a cloud in the sky. I took a beach chair, a towel, my camera and headed to the beach. What was meant to be a short hour turned into 5 or more.
I first let the sun soak in, I will probably get burnt cos I did not have any protection, then I ventured into the water where I would do my thing, come back to drink something and empty my stupid pockets from the sand.
People here know that I am a foreigner cos we are the only ones who do not wear swim briefs also known as Speedos. At first, I was like, there’s no way I will ever wear that but I realized that it’s not that bad and that no one at the beach really cares!
My first hurdle was getting into shorts, then walking around without a t-shirt, so the next step is walking around in a swim brief . When I leave the beach, I can just wear normal beach shorts over them.
I really felt on a holiday for the first time in many years. Just sitting there doing absolutely nothing and feeling stress free. The water was nice and it was a marvelous five hours.
I will definitely do that more often although it will be nice to visit the many different beaches that are found in Brazil.
Check out the gallery for a special rendition of my day at Ipanema Beach.
JA's Jibba Jabba 