From a 5 star hotel to a Guesthouse...

We just got to Buzios, a little beach town 3 hours from Rio. (sorry for the lack of capitals, the shift button is stuck on this keyboard!) it gets dark really early here - like at 6 pm so when we got to buzios it was already dark. looks like a super cute place though - reminds me of how cute ios was with its cobble stone streets and little boutique shops. we met two american guys on the bus who were super funny. whenever you hear people speaking english, its like khushali as nadia said (a big deal) b/c its very rare. We were rescued by english speaking people - at the bank and at the bus stations. We got a really cool taxi driver on the way to the bus station and Nadia was practicing her portuguese with him - he laughed at us a bit but was super helpful. nadia asked in portuguese and he answered back in english - a very good exercise for both parties involved!

so the place we are staying at is really the most literal translation of a guesthouse. its called Zen-Do guesthouse. its super cute but wow what a change from a hotel. well, this is what psuedo-backbacking is all about! the lady speaks perfect english and its so funny too. i~d share stories but i think you just have to be here. i am currently typing on HER computer. i believe there are only three rooms and she is cooking us breakfast in the morning! should be a very intimate stay!

all in all, our first few days in rio were pretty good. nadia complains alot about the buses and insists we take a damn taxi everywhere so we compromise. no muggings, shootings, rapes that i~ve heard of so we will continue to keep our fingers crossed for our last 3 days in rio! there is a lot of security everywhere especially in our area. copacabana definately felt a bit sketchier and whenever i saw a bunch of kids, i would get paranoid bc of all the stories we heard before we left. im glad we are taking in ipanema and would recommend it to anyone who goes to brazil in the future. copacabana has some crazy nice hotels like copacabana palace hotel - basically where all the stars and rich people stay. in fact, im pleasantly surprised as to how nice the people are when you can communicate with them - esp people in the clothing stores, etc. brazilian fashion is also very cool - definately ahead of us.

we did our first major sightseeing trip today. we went to see one of the new seven wonders of the world - christ the reemer on top of corcovado mountain. in order to get there, you can hike for 8 hours (nadia cañt even handle the bus, hike for 8 hrs?! i dont think so - lol), take a tram or a private van/taxi. we opted for the tram that takes you through one of the only urban rainforests. the statue itself is crazy! its so big and pictures jsut dont do it justice! apparently its 40 metres tall and 700 tonnes. a lot of fricken tourists, as expected, including a group of french men who each wanted to take a picture with me and then would put my name is a song, that they would casually sing as they walk by us a few times. "oh Sahra.....!"

ne ways, off to bed. will write again soon. gotta work on my tan tmr and learn some more portuguese! Chow!

First few days in Brazil

Greetings from Rio! My sister and I have been here for a couple of days although we were damn tired after ou a long ass plane ride. We are staying in Ipanema, which is an area in Rio famous for its beachest. We went this morning but the weather wasn't the greatest so we went on a gem tour instead! Yes, very random but probably not as random as going to a yoga class in Paris. The company is called Hstern and a lot of stars where there gems. Told Adam I was looking for an engagement ring to scare him although I am totally kidding.

The beach reminds me of Barcelona where there are random people trying to sell you things and yell out there random chymes. The famous one from Barcelona was "Coca-cola, Fanta, my friend..."Here unfortunately we can't even understand what they are saying! No on speaks English and we really don't know any Porteguese - so far its been all sign language and gestures!

Last night we went to a famous Brazilian steakhouse called Porcua. It was really really yummy! Fresh beef, lamb, veal, chicken and sausages come fresh off the bbq and are carved at your table! This place is every guys dream!! Our favorite was the fillet mignon roasted with parmeson cheese! Mmmm! It was a meat and seafood lovers paradise! Do NOT ever try chicken hearts! So nasty! Although it was super yummy and cool experience, we almost cried when we got the bill (not just me, Nadia too!). The good thing was that the workers at the restaurant spoke english and were waiting at you like it was no body's business! I mentioned to Nadia that I wanted a new plate and in 3 secs, a guy overheard and had a new plate and cutlery!

After dinner, guess where we went - Mango of course!! Meena, Soph and I were addicted to that store in Europe and could not pass it by. However, it is even more expensive than in Canada so it looks like there will be minimal shopping for me!

We are off to a beach town tomorrow called Buzios which is supposed to be like the Ibiza of Brazil but its winter right now so won't be as busy! Winter though means its 25 degrees celsius!

Pre- South American Adventure

Well, I am about as surprised as you are that I have started a blog. I never thought this day would come but after looking back as Meena's blog from our Eurotrip last year and enjoying reading about the random moments, I decided that this would be the best way to "keep a journal". I hope I continue to do it when I am away and not pull a "Sophia!" Meena and Sophia both know that I was terrible at keeping a journal or I was writing about the previous week. Although this trip will be shorter and quite different, I am super excited to visit yet another continent of the world! After this, I will only have Australia on the list! I'm going to Brazil with my sister, Nadia and then to Peru and Ecuador with my boyfriend, Adam.

Planning this trip has definately been a pain in the ass and not as easy as Europe was and I'm not really sure what to expect but now that its only 5 days away, I really looking forward to samba dancing, jungle trips, visiting Machu piccu, trying new food and just experiencing a new culture! My sister and I will definately make a fool out of ourselves trying to speak Porteguese in Brazil but it will be an interesting experience! For all of you who are worried about us going to Brazil, don't worry - we will be safe! We are staying in a frickin 5 star hotel when we arrive in Rio so that everyones minds will be at ease, although Adam would have liked us to hire a body guard while we are there! And don't worry, I'll try to minimize my calorie counting for Nadia and Adam's sake!

Feel free to post comments and/or email as usual while I am away!