Aymi’s Adventures

Leigh, Sejal & I enjoying the sunset with a wine or 3 at coconut bar in Pipa!

Went to meet two friends in Pipa on Friday, I was really looking forward to travelling a bit and seeing some more of Brazil, but worried about going on my own. Sejal and Leigh went up to Pipa together on Wednesday, but had left me all the instructions on how to get there so I was quite confident and I had written down all the questions I might need to ask in advance.

I had to get the bus to Tip (the main station in Recife), no problem the bus driver understood me and said he would advise me when to get off. But then he told me to get off at the metro station?? Very confused, but got off anyway thinking it might be the same place. Went to the ticket place and asked to buy a ticket to Goianianas and the woman spouted off at me in Portuguese of which I understood nada (nothing). Eventually she gave me a metro ticket for 1 real and wrote Rodoviaria on my piece of paper?? Still very confused I wandered about and eventually two older women befriended me and tried to explain that I had to go to Rodoviaria to buy a ticket to Goianianas. Okay this made a bit of sense even though it didnt match the instructions I had been given. So the women got on the metro with me and told me when to get off – after giving me their phone numbers and telling me to call them if ever I got stuck – everyone is so friendly and helpful it is so nice.

Did lots more wandering around again when I got off the metro but eventually found the ticket desk and bought my ticket. Had to wait an hour and a half for the bus so had an ice cream sundae and two packets of crisps for my lunch – I know – the usual healthy me!!! So much for losing weight while im travelling – that will never happen I am just not designed that way!!!

Once on the bus I relaxed a little, until I had been on it for 4 hours, it was dark and non of the stops were signed so I had no idea whatsoever where we were. I tried to ask the driver byt he didnt understand me, eventually a girl came to the front who spoke a little English and helped me, the driver said he would let me know when to get off. Once I got off at Goianians I had to get a taxi to Pipa and the Carvela Marinha Pousada where I was meeting Sejal and Leigh. Luckily the taxi driver knew the pousada so i didnt have to try and direct him thank god. I eventually arrived at 7:30pm. I left the hotel at 11:30 in the morning.

Anyway, it was well worth it. Pipa was amazing. Loads of tourists and people who actually spoke English! It was like a little surf town, kinda how I imagine Newquay to be – even though i’ve never been there! Had two really good nights in Pipa basically eating, drinking wandering along beaches and sleeping by the pool!

Sejal and Leigh with some surf dude (cant remember his name)!

Then we got the bus further North to Natal and stayed at Ponte Negra for 1 night which was also fab, bigger than Pipa and more touristy, met a few brits abroad there, you know the ones – typical lager louts, not interested in the lingo, food or culture, just cant wait to get home with their souvenirs (lighters that have naked women on them) etc etc. I’m sure there will be more of that in Salvador and Rio when I get there. It’s actually been quite nice not just being on holiday, it’s a completely different feeling than being on a two week holiday somewhere, actually getting into the Brazilian lifestyle and not just getting drunk!

I have got quite into the brazilian way of life now, I have even bought a teeny weeny Brazilian bikini, only worn it once though and only in front of my girlfriends!! And my Haviana’s are just the best, they are so comfy and only cost 16 Reals (less than a fiver). Although I only originally bought them because my brown sandals broke as I was walking down the street – I looked like a right fool, trying to walk really slowly but normally down the road so no one noticed! Dont think I got away with it!!! It was easier to buy new shoes than to figure out where I can get those fixed, but think I know now so might manage to have them fixed after all.

Sunset in Pipa!

The six volunteers!

I’ve been here for 3 weeks now and I really like it here in Olinda. I feel really at home here, I know my way around, feel safe and have loads of friends, both other volunteers and Brazillian’s. I am just about getting used to the heat, but my tan is still pretty poor, it’s just to hot to lie and sunbathe and they dont have sunloungers at the hotel’s pool – boo! I am however quite brown for me, its just that that is still white compared to everyone over here!

The first week was quite hard, I had a 4 hour Portuguese lesson every morning 9-1pm and I got more and more frustrated every day as I felt like it just wasnt sinking in at all! There is soo much to learn in such a short space of time. The afternoons I wandered around getting my bearings and doing shopping and then I met up with some other volunteers which was cool – finally some company and people to go drinking with!

The Hotel is really nice and clean and friendly, a lot better than I was expecting. Only one guy there speaks a bit of English, but everyone is as helpful and friendly as possible. It is situated right on the beachfront so I can see the sea whilst having breakfast – how cool is that. I haven’t managed to go in the sea or pool that much so far, much too busy socialising and working.

I was worried about starting my project with the kids, especially about not understanding them. It is a bit of a pain, but kids are kids wherever you go, they all love playing games of any sort and heads or tails seems to be the winner for me. As soon as I got there they ran up to me hugging and kissing me. Brazilians all love to show their affection, they are very touchy feely people, especially the kids. They were pressing my skin – amazed by how it changed colour from pink to white and back again, stroking my hair, jumping on me, and hugging me all at once, it was a bit overwhelming, but nice at the same time. I hope I learn lots of Portuguese from them so I can understand them better. It is really hard work, I am worn out after 4 hours there but it is the most rewarding job I have ever done. I think the bus journey there and back and the heat doesn’t help either. I actually work in Recife (about 30 mins bus journey from Olinda), which is fine during the day, but I dont feel very safe there at night, I would never go there alone in the dark.

Piccies of the kids at my project!

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