Paradise

Yesterday, I got back from a trip to Paraty. It´s a small colonial town known for beautiful beaches, a really active nightlife, and the dozens of small islands that dot its coastline. Over the weekend, we spent the day sailing, stopping on several immaculate beaches, swimming with exotic fish, and sunbathing/chilling. And do you know want to know what the best part is...I´m getting full academic credit for all of this. I was going to post some pictures, but I really don´t think that would be fair to everyone back in the States. Obviously I´m having a great time in a tropical paradise, I don´t think that there´s any need to rub it in...

Oh, on another note. My host Dad told me a fairly hilarious/horrible joke:

Question: What was the best invention the Portuguese ever made?

Answer: The Mulata.

Oh racism...

Dimes and Cakes...

Well...we´ve finally made it to the promised land, and it could not have been a moment too soon. Word on the street is that weather is pretty shitty in the Northeast U.S. Bom Voyage for the next six months, bitches.

We hit the one week mark today, and things are looking pretty good. It is the first time that I´ve had to worry about being too hot in the middle of January. As for more interesting information, the bets are still on for which one of the three musketeers is going to get taken advantage of first. No, get your dirty mind out of the gutter; I´m talking about who is going to get ROBBED. The smart money is on O Chefao, being that this dude can´t even keep track of his laptop on a flight from Boston to New York. But then there is O Atrevido, who, as it turns out, is the most reckless and savage member of the group and therefore, completely unpredictable. Finally there is me, Tudo Bem, with the least amount of international experience of the three of us, but clearly, the the one with the best shot of walking out of Brazil with all that I came here with (and nothing more, or else my parents will be pissed). I´ll be taking bets and keeping all inquiring minds abreast of our progress as we travel through this beautiful, yet treacherous land.

For now, I will leave you all with this last tidbit: believe the hype about Brazil. Never in my life have I seen so many dimes and cakes; and cake even when there wasn´t a dime to go with it. But this traveler knows all too well the dangers of being seduced by beautiful strangers with whom he cannot adeptly communicate, so I´m going to try my very best to play it safe. In the words of my good friend O Chefao, keep us in your prayers.

An Innocent Victim

We started this journey fully aware of the perils that accompany Latin American adventurism (leftist guerillas, right-wing paramilitary forces, dengue fever, seductive women with bad intentions), but who knew tragedy would strike so soon? Even before our journey officially began, an innocent member of our expedition was mercilessly kidnapped. Once a loyal travel companion, a quality laptop is no longer with its rightful owner, but is sadly being held captive by an opportunistic employee at JFK Airport in New York City. A short period of mourning ensued, but our expedition could not be delayed. We arrived in the urban jungle of Sao Paolo around midday on January 12, and have set up temporary camp at the Caesar Business Hotel on Avenida Paulista. Although relieved to have finally made it to Brazil, we remain extremely vigilant, determined to prevent any further setbacks. Remember to keep us in your prayers.

Coming soon...

In less than 48 hours, the adventures of the BahiaBoys begin.