Category Archives: Brazil

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Brazil, Sao Sebastiao, Travel

São Sebastião | Brazil

São Sebastião: Second pit-stop on our journey to Rio de Janeiro

Per Be and Gabi’s recommendation upon us leaving São Paolo, we were on our way to Ilha Bela, a little island off the coast of São Sebastião, our jumping off point.  So, we bussed it over to São Sebastião from São Paolo and paid for a one-night room at some random little hotel off the main strip on the coast and headed out on the town.  Not the most bustling town but a nice change from the land-locked São Paolo.

Our hunger set-in shortly after arriving and therefore, went on a hunt for bites.  The main drag on the coast was too touristy and expensive for us so we headed away from the water and further into the town.  Turns out, for nearly nothing, you can find a hole-in-the-wall self-serve buffet with seriously some of the most delectable fish, beans and rice that beats any fancy restaurant.  THIS is what I was looking for.

That night happened to be a big summer festival concert by the water, so we briefly checked it out, threw in a couple fist pumps, then loaded up on more beers to bring back to the room and chilled.  Or so we thought.  Apparently, the parking lot right next to our poorly insulated room was the mecca for teenage frivolity, tumultuous engine revving and blaring music.  The party was pretty much inside of our room – as if the walls didn’t exist.   Tomorrow’s early ferry ride is going to feel awesome!

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Brazil, Sao Paolo, Travel

São Paulo | Brazil

São Paulo: Where our Brazil trip begins

You know your trip is going to be amazing when you’re sitting at the Retiro bus station in Buenos Aires and the following happens:

1.  Someone tries to pull the “(tap tap on your shoulder) there’s ketchup on your shirt, here’s a tissue…your hands are free for me for me to take your unattended electronic device from your pocket? Don’t mind if I do” game but luckily, you know better and keep briskly walking because you’ve had a friend experience this first hand and was not so lucky.

2.  You fail to read the departure time on your bus ticket correctly and end up missing your bus to Brazil by a few hours (stupid military 24-hr time) thus feeling too embarrassed to return back to your friend Archie’s house and rather, decide to spend oodles of your pesos on a room at the Marriott Plaza because it just so happened to be across the street from the station.

Well-rested and ON-TIME for our departure the following day, we board our 30+ hour bus ride to São Paolo.  The city had exceeded my expectations and to be honest, I didn’t know exactly what they were.  We had no trouble getting around with their efficient metro system and we were able to get to our hostel, Lime Time Hostel without a hitch.

We had previously agreed on a meeting point to reunite with Trevor, our Buenos Aires roommate, at the Museum of Art (MASP).  Great museum!  Then dealt with some torrential rain, where we ducked into a cafe for half an hour and watched Trevor gleefully play (for the first time) Angry Birds.  Mind you, he has been living abroad for the past 5-6 years sans smart phone so his fascination with the game was so entertaining.

We were graciously hosted by Trevor’s good friends and São Paolo natives, Be and Gabi.  They were wonderful and took us to Vila Madalena, an awesome street full of more bars than the eye can see.  Be’s mom also invited us to lunch at their home the following day.  I can most definitely say that I LOVE Brazilian food, if that’s what I’m assuming Be’s mom had prepared. Nom Nom.  We also visited the top of the Unique Hotel (pronounced ooh-nicki) for some cocktails.  Felt a little under-dressed but I can’t say I cared too much after a few drinks.  It had the best view of São Paolo at night and it’s unique watermelon slice shape had me oohing and ahhing as we walked up.

A few more pit stops:  Soccer stadium – Estadio Municipal Paulo Machado Carvalho (clearly not my choosing but had an surprisingly interesting museum all about the art form of soccer – or fútbol – excuse me), the district of Liberdade (we would call it Japantown) and downtown.

Fun facts I learned while in SP:  1.  Brazil houses the largest population of Japanese outside of Japan, mostly concentrated in São Paolo.  2.  Brazilian children typically live with their parents until they’re married (Be’s mom couldn’t understand why American children are so quick to want to leave at 18).  3.  And the most amazing and fresh juice you’ll ever have can be found in the multitude of juice stands strewn about all over the city.

Two thumbs up.  Thank you to Be, Be’s family and Gabi for your immeasurable hospitality!

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