Day Number 11 - THE END :(

Over all this has been quite an adventure.  I think I learned more in these two weeks than I have spending an entire semesters in a classroom.  What you take away from travel and real life experiences trumps anything you could learn from a structured classroom. 

For all my SoRo Students out there that may be viewing my blog, GO TO COLLEGE, have the experiences, you will never regret it. 

 

Welcome to America everyone. Bacon cheese fries, bacon cheese burger and a cold beverage. Living Large!!!!! I will start my diet on Monday :)

Day Number 10 ½ - Is it Hostile or Hostel

Okay let me just say when they dropped off the ten Brazilian men in blue jumpsuits in front of our final destination for the trip I knew we were doomed.  We stayed at a hostel.  The dirtiest, scariest, and most unbelievable place I have ever seen.  I did not sleep for one minute of the night, I stayed up on bug patrol and heard some of the craziest sounds I have ever heard.  Needless to say this was the lowest point of this trip.  We had to get up early because we fly out today, and what happens, the power goes out of course!  Ya not impressed with the ending of this trip, but just before typing this post I reviewed all my photos from the trip and that put a smile back on my face.

 

 Me at the HOSTILE trying to keep the bugs away :)

Cheree at the HOSTILE so not impressed

 

The outside of the penitentiary, Oh I mean Hostel as we are leaving in the pouring rain!!!!

Day Number 10 – This is How We Roll

Today was all about the ride.  We woke up to a Fiat that wouldn’t start.  We have put so many miles on these vans, that I can’t believe they have lasted this long. Our plan for today is to travel from Caldas Novas back to Brasilia.  However, we had to start this process with a few push starts to get going. I must say we are pretty good at improvising, understanding and working through our problems. 

To Fiat or not to Fiat

 

This entire trip has been mostly about driving, I hate to say.  I wish it could be different, but it is what it is.  We have seen some impressive destinations and participated in many, new and different activates; all the while becoming very close with our fellow Fiat passengers.  I think that may be the best part of this trip, the companionship.  It was a struggle at times to keep our heads up, but because this group is so amazing, we always had one-another’s backs.  If you were sad, we all worked to make you happy.  If you were mad, we all let you vent.  If you were frustrated, we let you scream and agreed with you, no matter what.   Kudos to poor Mallec who had to drive a car full of female back seat drivers all over the country of Brazil.  Not only did he put on a lot of miles, he did it in intense traffic, with some of the craziest drivers and conditions I have ever seen. Really he is a saint not once did he ever get upset with us, for a twenty-three year of student I am more than impressed. It was really nice meeting each and every one of you.  I do however have a soft spot for the hamster on parade.

Hamsters on Parade

 

 

Sarah, Malek, Brianna, Amy and Cheree

Day Number Nine - Water Park

Had to travel a bit this morning, but finally made it to our next town Caldas Novas. Again out of the city and into a small town in the middle of nowhere.  Here they have what they call hot pools, and yes they are very hot.  Not very refreshing in this very hot climate, but fun non-the-less.
They had wave pools, and waterslides, along with the lazy river.  I skipped the water slides and tanned a bit on the pool deck.  I may have tanned just a little too much !! Today was a little hectic after we got back from the water park.  I think we might be getting a bit sick of each other and combine that with to much sun and fun and people are getting a little crabby. Lets hope tomorrow goes better and a good nights sleep makes everyone feel better.

Me and my girls at the Hot Pools (and Tom The Traveler:)

 



Don't forget Sarah she was the one taking the picture!!!

 

Oh and one more thing, do not under any circumstance order a frozen drink here.  They are the worst drinks ever.  They make them with what I think is yogurt and taste like sour milk yuck!

 



The rest of the crew hanging out in the pool!

Day Number Eight - The Long Hual

Today we traveled from Peronolopolis to Goiania a very long ride.  It feels like we have driven the entire length of Brazil in our little hamster car.  The music blaring, our hands out the windows, and some very interesting conversations.  We are back from the country and plopped in the middle of a city again and I must say I don't like it very much.  The four of us (Cherree, Brianna, Sarah and I) went out again tonight and navigated the city to find dinner.  The only place we found was a dive named Pit Bulls and ate, what I would call Brazilian fish sticks.  We had know idea what to order or how to order it, but we managed. I am ready to go home and eat salad; know one eats vegetables here.  Its really weird  I thought I would have been eating tons of vegies, but all they seem to eat is bread and weird meat. I don't have many pictures from this day, because it was mostly travel but here a few highlights.

Monkey at our hotel in Peronopolis

 

 



 

The outside of our hotel in Peronopolis

 

Welcome to the city of Goiania

 

 

Here we are sick of moving around and just chillin in our room.  No walk around the city for us!

 

 

 

A crazy statue outside my hotel window in Goiania

 

And yet one more crazy statue in Goiania

 

Day Number Seven

 

Day number seven started early and was full of driving. I am starting to get sick of driving and with all the moving around I kind of feel like a pinball. If I could change anything I would slow things down a  bit and stay longer in the country.  I really like being out of the city and seeing more of the culture of Brazil.  Plus being from Vermont I am a country girl at heart. 

 

This is High Paradise (Alto Paraiso) This part of Brazil has several mystical religions and they believe in UFO's. 

 

 

 Salto De Corumba

 

After a very long car ride we arrived in Parenopolis.  This town is quite a bit bigger than Sao Jorge but still small in comparison to Brasilia.  Nice hotel with a pool.  We went out to a concert in the evening and had dinner at a great Italian restaurant.  We sat out side on wobble chairs and sideways tables and ate a very delicious meal of assorted pastas.  Everyone ordered something different and we all shared.

 



Day Number Six

Day number six started with a long car ride out into the country. It was a nice break from the city.  I was really starting to feel ill from all the hustle and bustle, noise and traffic.  We spent the night in a small town called Sao Jorge.  Very cool hippy town, basically in the middle of nowhere.  Our hotel was very cool and once again I roomed with Brianna and Cheree.

 

Later in the day we went for a small hike and swim in the Valley of the Moon (Vale Da Lua).  The scenery was amazing and the river reminded me of home (kinda).   The rocks did remind of being on the moon.

 

Dinner day six was the best yet.  We went to Risoteria Santo Cerrado and had risotto of course, as well as bruschetta, salad and for dessert brigadeiro, chocolate cake, ice cream made of baru with kiwi, strawberries and concord grapes. Yah pretty amazing dinner and great company. 

 

 

 

 

 

Real World Brazil - Day Number Five Part Two

I have met some pretty amazing individuals on this trip, and I must say I like each and everyone of them.  My two buds and roommates rock; you never have to worry with them around - Brianna and Cheree -I got your back :) Okay so now I am going to explain my account of each and everyone one of them haha!!!!!

Me and my girls hanging with the elephants.  Pretty sure I have not laughed so hard with two individuals as I have with them this week.  Here's just a couple quotes from today, "Never go anywhere without a Brazilian",  We got jipped" "Declino de Mastecardo", "Let's go look at some art and shit." and like a hundred more I really shouldn't blog about! At the moment we are sitting on our bunk beds; each with a computer and a big plate of cheese and crackers.  I must say we eat well here!



 

Here we have the ever so sweet Sarah along with Malek. Sarah has a laugh that would make anyone smile and the biggest heart.  She is a tiny bit clumsy and in need of assistance every once in a while.  She is the little butterfly of the house with an occasional sprained wing.  Malek the Mexican :)  if you need a hand he's the one in the house to show up! He also is the master of the slow FIAT and the radio !!!!!

 

Mike Mercier! Well his laugh sounds just like my nephew Walter's and totally makes me smile.  He slathers on SPF 100 when he heads out for the day and is hoping that all his freckles will join and turn into a tan. 

 

Mike Cox- Hi Five Anyone???? His quote everyday all day.  His arm hanging out the window risking amputation from a motorcycle, trying to high five Brazil. Load, Silly, Mike!

 

 

 

 

Sarah and Samira!!!! Sisters by heart, inseparable.  Samira our Boznian Refugee; bold, brassy and beautiful.  Sarah; sweet, sassy and smart.  WORD!!!!!!

 

 

 

Okay I am hoping to get more pictures, I need to snap a shot of Gavin (he is included in the group picture).  I have had a heck of time calling Gavin and Griffin by the right name, but I think I have it figured out.  Griffin is the master of the fast FIAT and I must say works the hardest on his hair :)

 

 

 

 

Gavin the man with the plan, he might have just as many aches and pains as me and has most definitely enjoyed my Advil!

 

 

Traveler Tom :) and Professor Henrique!  Tom has more information in his head then I will every have in my life time; a wealth of knowledge!  Henrique the leader, who somehow keeps us all on track.