Brasil: Primeira Semana

Festa Junina!!!!!! Celebrating the rural culture of Brasil (including dirty mustaches and unibrows)

Mini Tien Concert (Mic Stand: Lucas)

I'm having the time of my life. I didn't know what night life meant before this trip....seldom has the party ended before 5 a.m. I've met so many wonderful people, everyone is ridiculously hospitable and nice, and my portuguese is improving every day.

9 de Julho: (Rio de Janeiro) took the bus from GIG airport into Leblon. Called Felipe and Renato. Felipe met me at post 12 on Leblon beach. Renato picked us up, ate some Arabic food and had some mate tea. Met Felipe's family at their condo in Alto Leblon. Went to the lagoa (lake), then a Forro (traditional dance/music) club in Lapa (artsy area in Rio, lots of artists, musicians. Love it!). Learned to dance a bit.

10 de Julho: (Rio) got my cell phone working. Went on a walk, took a nap, ventured to Lapa on my own. Saw a band playing in a restaurant, met the guitar player, danced with some ladies. Came back to Felipe's place, talked with his mom.

11 de Julho: (Rio) left my keys in the condo. Went to the beach and worked out. Met Felipe. Internet Cafe, early night.

12 de Julho: (Rio) woke up super late, then took a nap in a hammock. Went to Lapa, met up with my guitarist friend Josemen, watched him play, met his friend (a capoeira teacher in San Francisco), saw a samba band, danced.

13 de Julho: (Rio/Juiz de Fora) Lunch w/ Felipe, took bus to wrong station (rodoviaria), finally got to Juiz de Fora at 8 pm. Met up with Breno, Vanessa, Veronica. Went to a gathering of Breno's medical school friends. Hung out at Republica Laje (Breno's apartment) with a bunch of folks.

14 de Julho: (J.F.) Lunch w/ Vinicius and Breno. Checked out UFJF, Breno's university. Medicina class party at Breno's, then samba w/ Breno to meet Veronica & Friends. My first strawberry Caipirinha. Dancing with beautiful brazilian girls. Sigh.

15 de Julho: (J.F.) Hung out w/ Veronica and Camila, went to the local Cristo statue and sang Backstreet boys songs. FESTA JUNINA!!! Traditional June party w/ Breno's Class. Played a couple songs, danced a lot, great party. Breno lost his glasses and wallet. It was a good night. (We found them)

16 de Julho: woke up at 4 p.m. More samba tonight?

Comments

Ben said…

dude. live it up, i was in rio last summer and had a blast. seems like you're hitting all the right places. don't forget to hit up www.couchsurfing.org ...great tips from the 'community'!

July 16, 2010 at 7:39 PM

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