Aymi’s Adventures

Sunset in Ipanema, Rio De Janeiro

Met Kate at the Airport in Rio and went straight to our hostel (Che Lagarto Ipanema) to be told that we couldn’t check in til 2pm – I swear all internet sights lie, it was supposed to be 24 hour check in! All in all the hostel was fab though, the only problem with it was the air con was only on from 7pm til 7am – not much use when your out til 6am most nights! So basically only got a couple of hours sleep most nights before waking up with sweat dripping off you!! By the end of the week I was pretty worn out and am hoping the toucan tour we are doing is gonna be a bit less challenging!

The main highlight of Rio for me was Ipanema beach and the fab beach party they had there one night after a bloco (street party) which was unexpected cos we knew nothing about it until we got there and then ended up there til 6am and watched the sunrise and saw in the arrival of Kate’s birthday. Well I did anyway – Kate passed out very drunk on some poor guy’s lap, it was allowed though as it was her birthday. It was a great night but the next day was not so good, felt rough and nackered and couldn’t sleep in our stupid sweat pit of a hostel and still haven’t managed to get rid of the sand from that night yet – it just gets everywhere!

That night was Kate’s birthday meal, about 10 of us went for a fab meal and we organised a suprise dessert and candle – she was so nackered from the night before she actually fell asleep at the table, then we went off to the Sambadrome for some more carnival fever.

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All my Brazilian family!

Arrived into Recife about 7am ish and had to get another bus to Olinda and then walk up the dreaded hill to Rejane’s house all with my backpack on and in about 35 degrees, not even knowing if I could stay there yet as I hadn’t told anyone I was coming back!

It was worth it just to see Rejane’s reaction when she saw I was back, I knew instantly I had made the right decision! Sod the Rolling stones and U2, it’s not the same when youre on your own – and I’ve seen them before anyway!

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View of Salvador Harbour

Had a lovely 12 hour bus journey to get to Salvador but after the first day there thought it was well worth it. I did not enjoy carrying my backpack though, I dont know how I am going to cope when I am changing places all the time, think I am going to have to ditch loads of stuff along the way – especially some of the bookshop I decided to bring!

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View of the street carnival from the balcony of our hotel

Okay i’m getting quite into all these leaving parties – let’s see if I can have one in every place I stay for over a week – that’s actually not many places if I stick to my planned schedule!!

Had a fab night on Saturday – apart from forgetting to take my camera – hence no piccies (and the fact that the computers here are always crashing so uploading photos takes forever – which is too long when there is so much better stuff to be doing!). Hopefully I will be able to put some on here eventually off Sejal or Kirsty.

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All the volunteers 

Still loving it here in Olinda but will be going to Salvador for 4 nights on Monday with Kirsty.  Really glad I have a travel companion, it will make the 12 hour bus journey go a lot quicker.  It’s weird how quickly you make friends in a foreign country, I feel like I have known Kirsty and Sejal for years – hopefully we will stay in touch after Brazil, i’m pretty sure we will.

Loads has been happening since my last update, mainly with the volunteerbrazil.com company.  If anyone is thinking of volunteering in Brazil please speak to me about it first!!!  Cant really say much more about it on the internet but will fill you all in as and when.

Four new volunteers have arrived, two staying in the hotel Costeiro with me, Liz & Joy and the other two staying in a homestay near to Kirsty, Megan and Natalie.  They are all really nice so have been going out with them a bit and had more people to have dinner with at night etc etc.  I feel like I really know Olinda and it’s people now, we have made loads of Brazilian friends as well as other volunteers.  The best parts are going to Alto De Se at nights, especially Friday’s and Sunday afternoons and evenings to watch all the preperations for carnival.  There is frevo dancing, capoeira, maracatgu drumming, processions, loads of artisanata’s, capiroska’s and just a generally great atmosphere.  There is a huge group of us that all meet up there on Sunday nights for a few drinks and to join in the huge congregation of people having fun!

Partying at Alto De Se

Anyway my time here is drawing to a close, I leave on Monday 13th Feb to go to Salvador for 4 nights with Kirsty and then I will go onto Rio on my own for the Rolling Stones concert on the 18th and then meet Kate on 22nd.  I cant believe how gutted I am to be leaving, I definately want to come back here next year and spend carnival here, I am going to miss everyone so much.

Edwardo & I

So having another leaving party on Saturday night (my one in the UK feels like years ago now) which should be a really good night.  All our friends are coming so there should be about 30 people if everyone turns up, just have to work out what food were gonna make now!

Feeding time at the zoo – literally! 

So i’m still in Olinda and working at my project, but i’ve got into a bit more of a routine now. I can go to work in the morning or the afternoon (or both if i really wanted too, but that would kill me in the heat) I usually go in the afternoon. So my days consist of getting up, having breakfast of cake and melon at the hotel – sometimes a cheese and egg s/w aswell if i’m really hungry, going to the beach / lounging by the pool / wandering around Olinda’s shops. Back to the hotel at 12 for a yogurt (or whatever snack I have in my fridge – usually lots of chrisps and chocolate!) and to replenish my water supply then off to the bus station to my project. Or I might go to Tacaruna (my shopping sanctury – there is Macdonalds and everything there) first or do something with the other volunteers and just get the bus straight to the project for 1 ish. I usually get there for about 1 have some lunch with the kids – rice or spaghetti and beans (unfortunately not baked beans – they are nice though, well sometimes anyway!) they usually have some sort of meat as well – I never touch it, it looks rancid! and there’s always juice of some sort the best is something they call vitaminado (or something like that anyway) which is basically a really nice thick banana milkshake – scrummy!

Jackson, the first kid whose name I remembered – wonder why?

They LOVE sugar over here (probably something to do with sugar cane being their biggest industry!!) they put 5 teaspoons of sugar in a small glass of juice – and no i’m not exaggerating. They also have bottles of liquid sugar everywhere which is called low cal but it aint really, its just pure sugar, 1 drop is like a heaped teaspoon of sugar. Their native drink is Caprioska which is Vodka sugar and lime – very STRONG but you soon get used to them, they are much nicer if you ask for them with the liquid sugar instead of normal sugar but trying to get them to understand what you mean is pretty hard with gestures! They also have capifrutas which is the same thing but mixed with any fruit of your choice in a blender – doesnt taste quite as strong like this and its really nice.

The twins – how cute are they!

After lunch we usually take the kids to the Marinha or the park and play for a few hours, they play with balls, skip and whatever else they have. At the Marinha there is a Jambre tree (nice Brazillian fruit) so they spend ages getting the fruit off the tree to eat, I was helping them to start off with and then I got told off, they are supposed to wait until it has fallen off – oops! There are sometimes these really cute little monkey things (saradinhas or something) that live in the trees, the kids give them gum and its well funny watching them chewing gum and staring at you. Then we go back to the project and the kids have an early tea between 4 and half past, I never normally have anything just because there is never enough to go around as it is and I feel really guilty if I eat and the kids are hungry, even though they would give you their food straight away if you wanted it. It is not how I expected it to be at all, I thought they would all be hard nut scary threatening guys but it’s just not like that at all – which i’m glad about! Then we tidy up and the kids all seam to vanish into thin air, so I get the bus back about 5ish and either go to the internet cafe or shopping on the way back (water and internet are gonna be my most frequent expenses this year – beats petrol anyway!).

The main guy from the project, never did quite get his name!

Get back to the hotel & shower – usually feel well manky by this point then go for dinner (or fall asleep first and go for dinner after). Some nights I will just stay at the hotel and chill out with a beer and then watch a film on HBO, other nights I meet up with Sejal and Kirsty, two other volunteers and go out somewhere. Weekends are spent at the beaches during the day and Alto de Se in the afternoon / evening where there is loads of preperations for the carnival going on. There is Maracatu drumming, frevo and all other kinds of dancing, all in bright costumes, capoeira and lots of drinking. The streets are rammed, it is so hard to walk anywhere it is so busy and cars are trying to push through as well but its such a good atmosphere. Sundays are the best and there is a huge group of us that all meet up there which is really nice.

I am now used to the Brazillians spitting everywhere, their constant hissing kinda like a really loud psssssst to get people’s attention, eating lots of rice and beans.  I am used to being stared at all the time because i’m different, can annoy me at times (like when it is old ugly men), but is also a bonus when it comes to attracting fit young men!  Used to all the kids being really pretty and the fact that you can just go over and make conversation with anyone and they are all really friendly.

Still not used to the heat during the day and I still have to be so careful and wear loads of suncream, but I am used to the heat at night now.  I still hate mosquito’s – they are the evilist things alive, there is just no need for them to even exist, I cant see that they have any purpose in life! Still amazed how ALL Brazillians can dance, do Capoeira and play loads of different instruments – they are sooo talented.

 I LOVE BRAZIL!!

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!

My morning view!

Well I arrived here safe and sound, no major problems there. The Manchester Heathrow flight was delayed – suprise suprise, so I had to rush to get the Heathrow Sao Paulo flight, but made in with plenty of time to spare in the end. When I arrived in Sao Paulo I was pretty confused, getting my bags was fine but then trying to find where to check in for my domestic flight to Recife was pretty hard work 3 unnecessary queues later I found myself in the right place – another queue! It was so hot at Sao Paulo airport and I had my trainers and North Face jacket on – I looked like a right d*ck at 7am in the morning in temperatures on 30C!! Luckily I had brought my sandals and a t-shirt to change into so once I had checked in I found the first toilet and got changed and brushed my teeth. I had 3 hours before the flight was due to depart, which soon went with all the wandering round and confusion. Then my flight was delayed by another hour!!!

So sat at the gate and got talking to a guy from Madrid – he only spoke Spanish and Portuguese, so i’m sure you can imagine, there was lots of gestures and mis understandings, but basically he has a house in Belo Horizonte (central ish Brazil) and gave me the tel no for if I want to go there on my travels. Pretty nice guy really considering that one sentence took about an hour (slight exageration) for me to understand!! Eventually arrived at Recife, very hot sweaty and tired, not sure if I would be picked up or not because I was over an hour late. Thank god there were two girls waiting for me, one (Chris)who spoke good English and informed me she was to be my Portuguese teacher. About 30 -40 mins later we arrived at Olinda and my home for the next 6 weeks – Hotel Costeiro.

The girls checked my in and advised me Miriam (the project organiser) would come and meet me at 5pm and that I would have my first Portuguese lesson at 9am the next morning. I had a shower and slept for 2 hours and then feeling a bit refreshed met Miriam. She explained about the project and drove me around Olinda for an hour or so explaining where things were and showing me where other volunteers were staying. Like i’m gonna remember all that after i’ve been travelling for 24 hours and when youre abroad everywhere looks the same anyway!

Had dinner alone at the hotel when I got back, it was good (chicken, rice, potatoes and veggies) considering I had no idea what I was getting as no one speaks any English! Stayed up for a bit with beer (they have the really large bottles here and for just 2 reals {aprox 55p} bargain!) and then eventually had to crash out at 9pm. My first proper night sleep of my years travels!

Okay, I never realised how much there is to organise before going on a years jolly!

Finally got my travel insurance last night, and have managed to find a backpack I like, although I am now thinking 80 liters might be a bit heavy – please dont say “Oh well, just pack less” yeah right have you ever tried packing everything you are gonna need for a year into one tiny little rucksack? And then leaving some room so it isnt as heavy? There is always some other necessity you can cram in if there is space! I should really have bought a smaller one to start with, but I did want to get a bit fitter while I was away – you never know I might even develop some muscles instead of flab!!!

Anyway I still have loads to sort out like an International Driving Lisence, getting extra passport photo’s done, sort out all my online banking, change currency and buying more exciting stuff like universal sink plugs and water purifying tablets – great!

Still haven’t sold my car yet, so if you know anyone who wants to buy a Metallic Silver Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamic, March 03 reg, 23,000 miles £3950.00 ono please give them my contact email address (and I will put them in touch with Mum and Dad who have now taken over responsibility of selling it for me – sorry & thanks Ma & Pa). Anyway car advert over.

It’s my leaving do on Saturday night at the Poachers in Bolly for those of you who dont already know!! Hopefully see some of you muppets there x