Brazilian Big Adventure

Ola mates!

We're here! Pheeeeewwwww!

Nothing can prepare any of us for the Brazil. A new place with new sites, sounds and in our cases an intelligible language - we've barely mastered our own for gawdsakes!). Both Gavros Hugemeister and I spoke to lots of peeps, did our reading and as a result had our own expectations of Brazil and the Brazilian massive who would be hosting the first leg our our Big Adventure.

We were both shattered after an endless merry-goround of packing (houses, rucksacks, small useless household objects in bubblewrap into paper, in cardboard boxes, into cupboards...), organising tenants and generally getting our shit together. A big thanks to all those that helped - we couldn't have done it without you. You know who you are and we're both really grateful. Ta ever so!

Getting on that plane at stupid o'clock in the morning on a drizzly, cold grey Toon morning (much like any other) we were totally ready for our new start. Bring it on! Ncle - Amsterdam. An eternity on the concourse (delayed by the damn Schipol fog) and 11.5 hours later we arrived in Sao paulo.

A vast expanse of a city - A megapolis (that's silly Lonely planet speak, lonely planet/footprint guide is evil, more of that laters) - of 30 million people. Set inland on a high plateau consisting of and surrounded by great big hills covered in lush forests and houses filled with little (in the main) Brazilian people. Enormous and awe inspiring.

OUr taxi driver from the airport had one of the biggest grins imaginable. It made his whole face light up.Despite being caught in what we gathered was the Sao Paulo horrendorama of a post 5pm traffic jam (it was 7pm and still choca). He kept shaking his headand point at the traffic all around us across the way, above on hills, below us in the valley. Cars and lots of 'em. Clasping his thumbs and the tips of his fingers repeatedly like a crab - he'd point, say something that we belive translated roughly to "Blimey look at all that traffic! It never changes!" Lots of lane dodging and a few short cuts later we arrived at our pousada. He helped with our bags and even knocked off 1.50 Rs (roughly 40p) from our fare. Nice man. Bonus! We'd only been in the country five minutes and saved some cash.

Thusfar we've had a pleasant couple of days in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We've learnt.

- There are people in the world who are smaller then we are. (Gav is especially happy aboiut this.

- Brazilians like their food. Imagine, Bread (like 12 different types), fruit, cake (three types at least), cheese, ham, juice and jelly for breakfast. As much as you can eat. Sadly no icecream, they've let the Brazilian breakfast side down) to go with our jelly, I wanted to complain, but Gav wouldn't let me. Woos.

- Guidebook are generally our of date and can't be trusted.

- Likewise, Brazilian roadmaps can't be trusted either. In Brazilian not far means keep walking for three days and you might get there. Well it is the size of Eurpoe(more book trivia - we've got more if you're interested just let us know. our minds are filled with crap travel book facts). Our poor little legs have walked miles and miles and miles....

All in all we had a pleasant couple of days in Sao Paulo, headed to Curitiba which is 6 hrs south on the bus. Been hanging our here and plan to get the bestest train journey in Brazil to Morretes a little colonial town tomorrow. Given there ar like two ther train rides in the whole country not sure what to expect. We'll let you know soon. Ciao for now.

Mski and Uge xx