Hard to believe just last Monday I was waking up in the suburbs.

 

So, less than a week, a lot has happened.

 

Lots of Chacaca. Lots of cheese. Lots of beer.

 

Of interest, tiny glasses, just like Europe. As when I was in Europe, what I crave most is an absurdly large 44 oz soda packed with ice. But for beer you pay $3 reais and get a 22 oz bottle and small glasses. Milk is in cardboard boxes and not chilled when you buy it. I do find it tastier, but American milk is a bit crisper and has more of an "ahh!" factor. Cheese here is just better, probably because its less regulated.

 

I went rafting in Bracas, i believe, beautiful town. Brazil is like the tropical version of the hidden valley ranch covers. Rafting down the river, huge bamboo trees on the sides, colorful flowers I don't know the names of. Huge birds I can't remember the names of. At the best point, theres really shallow rapids, where you get out of the raft and just slide down them. It was coupled on your right by a waterfull. Above the waterfall in the trees were monkeys, a lot, maybe 12, swinging around. This was a bit far so I couldn't tell you what type they were. Lastly, to top that off, toucans flew above and landed in the trees. And kudos to marketing, the first thing you think of absolutely is fruit loops.

 

When we finished the rafting and they take you to the bus a big bottle of Cachaca was waiting. Everyone drank it straight. This bottle best described as raisin-flavored rum, you might even say rum raisin.

 

A bbq on friday with wonderful cuts of meat, seasoned only with coarse sea salt, and cooked slowly over wood flames. It was wonderful. One cut, the best, picanha i believe, seemed to be a loin cut, but nonetheless was very tender and just made me want to fall over from the taste. So simple, so delicious. Meat here is very good quality and cheap. For instance, Filet mignon is about 5-6 dollars american cheaper.

 

Beers tried: Bohemia, Original. Something else I forgot. All pilsners

Yeah that's all fine and all but what about the women?

 

B)

I mean I'm sure its different in coastal towns by the beach, and I've only been in Curitiba (1.7 mill people) for a day, but i'd probably find more beautiful women in the US on a given day than I've seen here.

*no longer continues to live vicariously through bmags*

 

*sigh*

I'm not the most traveled person, but I've been around now, I just think people forget how good looking american women are.

 

But i'm going to a big bar festival this weekend, I'll let you know from there. Women look different here, it's a skin tone I like, but it's not millions of adriana lima's walking all around me.

 

But, their personalities are wonderful.

Sounds awesome. Makes me want to travel abroad.

I always liked Antartica, the official beer of Antartica. Or at least that's what the can says. Skol is great too.

 

Have a blast out there, Brazil is the best.

Is Skol good? I unfairly connect it in my mind with skol vodka in the states.

 

I think Original is Antarctica? I might be wrong, but I've definitely had Antarctica. They have tasty beers down here, though not much variety thus far. Cachaca, cheese, meat, all good.

 

Also funny, when describing a brazilian item to you, it's always not how you would describe it. "Pao de quejo, it's like this wonderful bread that's soft with cheese on it" "Oh so it's like cheese bread" "No it's not cheese bread its pao de quejo". "Requejaio is like this creamy spreadable cheese you put on bread" "So it's cream cheese!" "No it's not cream cheese it's Requejaio"

where are you staying?

did you get bun rushed by a mob of six years old who robbed you blind yet?

I just visited my brother's-fiance's-mother's house in Indaiatuba, her brother showed me around Campinhas, and took me to Bracas. Saturday I took the overnight to Curitiba and am staying with my brothers-fiance's friends in a really nice apartment. They are very pretty. So no, I'm not roughing it the way your mother and father did in a new country with no language skills. In one month I move into a hostel.

 

Today I'm studying Portuguese all day. Tomorrow, off to Fisk language school and *wink*

 

It is frustrating not knowing what is going on. When in conversation, I get the jist of what they are saying. When addressed directly, I get too nervous, can't put any vocabulary together and resort to pointing. I'm sure it's frustrating for them, and I feel selfish not having learned more before moving. But, hopefully soon I can talk like an idiot in Portuguese, and then talk like a normal person. Cheers to emersion?!

Is Skol good? I unfairly connect it in my mind with skol vodka in the states.

 

I think Original is Antarctica? I might be wrong, but I've definitely had Antarctica. They have tasty beers down here, though not much variety thus far. Cachaca, cheese, meat, all good.

 

Also funny, when describing a brazilian item to you, it's always not how you would describe it. "Pao de quejo, it's like this wonderful bread that's soft with cheese on it" "Oh so it's like cheese bread" "No it's not cheese bread its pao de quejo". "Requejaio is like this creamy spreadable cheese you put on bread" "So it's cream cheese!" "No it's not cream cheese it's Requejaio"

 

It was good enough for me, its what the cabana bars would bring me after 2 when I was transitioning away from Caparinhas.

Since you have internet access, there are several free podcasts on itunes that teach Portuguese. Probably a better way to spend your free time than watching MTV award shows.

Since you have internet access, there are several free podcasts on itunes that teach Portuguese. Probably a better way to spend your free time than watching MTV award shows.

 

I'm already doing that, but thanks. I didn't see the VMAs but thanks!

anyways, here's what I've been doing in Brazil besides watching the VMAs. benmagnuson.blogspot.com

Go watch Mauricio Rua train if you are in Curitiba and into MMA

Have fun and watch out for botflys

Have fun and watch out for botflys

 

 

Yeah for sure. Seems like you are spending alot of time outside and exploring nature. Familiarize yourself with some of the flora and fauna of the area. Very beautiful but I am sure there are plants/animals that should be avoided that maybe newcomers to the area arent aware of. I dont mean to worry you. Be Safe

I'm not walking around willy nilly. Controlled group.

 

Here's the blog post I just wrote on the red light district and the rafting trip.

http://tinyurl.com/oxbbna

I'm not walking around willy nilly. Controlled group.

 

Here's the blog post I just wrote on the red light district and the rafting trip.

http://tinyurl.com/oxbbna

 

No pictures? Aw man.

yeah sorry I can't find batteries strong enough for my camera.

yeah sorry I can't find batteries strong enough for my camera.

Damn, a downfall of Brazil.

 

Neat blogging. Very cool.

 

Do you think you might stay? And, I think you'll be surprised in a month how much of the language you've learned. Hang in there, I know it's tough.

I studied all yesterday and have roommates that are helping me with portuguese. I'm actively trying to learn it, without paying for it. Today however, I'm stuck in my room because I don't want to get in some ladies way that is in the family room. Some somebody.

 

Do I think I might stay. If I start making enough where I can stay longer, I will. The tricky bugger is visas. If I just give private lessons I can make more money, $5 more an hour abouts, but if I go to a school there's a chance, maybe there isn't, but I thought there might be, a chance they help me get a work visa.

 

Optimally, i'm here until my brother's wedding down here in Brazil next October (2010). At the very least, I'm here until late november 2009

http://benmagnuson.blogspot.com/2009/09/an...lluminated.html

 

first weekend in Curitiba

http://benmagnuson.blogspot.com/2009/09/an...lluminated.html

 

first weekend in Curitiba

 

Really great writing, very engaging and entertaining.

 

Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you.

on the weeks it's so rainy here I'm on soxtalk more than when I left