Brazil II

Sunday, August 16, 2009 - Hi. We're still here in Brazil, alive, and a little fatter. We've really just been recharging from our last travels and planning for our next at the beginning of September. A few happenings -

Bruno, Silvio's (Ana's brother) son, before his official baptism. Look at this. He can't even walk or talk yet, but he can play soccer. Further evidence that Brazilians are born to dominate on the field.









After the baptism was a churrasco back at the house.. I met several of Silvio's friends, who don't speak English, but did my best to enter their conversation speaking gringuese. These are the scenarios in which I really learn though - nobody translating for me. It's very tough and humbling, but good for growth. This guy, Gustavo, was hilarious. He asked me to take a picture of him and show it to American girls, because I told him they'd like him. He said he'll pass along his address & phone number when you're ready.






Gorging myself at a birthday party while Ana's mom watches the gringo get fatter.










::drool::









One night we met up with Karine to go to "Quiz Night" at a bar here - which again, was a good Portuguese learning experience (and was fun as well).. In fact, we'll start going every Thursday to these.

But before this we met at by the beach where some ridiculously talented volleyballers play; in fact, apparently some of the olympic team trains right here.

However, another popular sport here is footvolley, and is a sight to behold. 2 people on each side just like beach volley, however, hands and arms are not allowed. Only feet, knees, legs, chest, head; basically all that's used in soccer. Sick.


Sunset at beira-mar.

Downtown at night.

Sunset from Ana's sister's.

More to come folks as we near our Western-Europe travels on Sept 5. Until then, bbeeeeelllllllllch..

Brazil

Monday, July 27, 2009 - We left from our hotel in London at 4:30am, had a layover in Lisbon where we got a tiny sneak preview of Portugal Portuguese, and then took a 10 hour flight to Rio.

We were only in Rio for 1 night and actually stayed in a hostel there in Ipanema.. Our room there was easily the nicest room we've had in a hostel yet. The next morning we were hanging in the common room on the ground level; people were eating breakfast outside. When all of a sudden everybody rushed inside. What was there a bee there or something?, I thought. Come to find some guy was walking around outside with a gun.

We met with our friend Isabel who lives in Rio, walked around for a while, ate a ton, and drank a good amount of Antartica Original.

I struck up a conversation with a Brazilian there and my Portuguese was curiously awesome. She even asked if I was Brazilian! Then we flew here to Fortaleza and all of a sudden the little Portuguese Brent inside me became a moron. I think I've found that the more important a person is to me, the more my Portuguese sucks. Don't ask why; I have no idea.

We've been immediately greeted here in Brazil with love and almost as much food; I already feel better and fatter. After a 3-month journey in a foreign place though, a month-long family-recharge is almost a necessity before heading back for another 3 months.

Brasileiros
Estamos aqui no Brasil! Nos ficamos no Rio principalmente, mas so por um dia. Depois do viajando por tres meses, fomos tao animados para ver familia. Entao, estamos aqui em Fortaleza por um mes antes do viajando na Europa de novo para tres meses mais. Nos recebemos amor demais, comida demais, e ja estou mais pesado.

Oxford III

Thursday, July 23, 2009 - I'm finding recently that both Cambridge and Oxford seem to typeify in a way a spiritual concept I've been studying recently: humility.

I'll find myself walking down a street and turn down a tiny, unassuming alley. I might find a small wooden door just cracked open. All appears plain, humble. I open the door and step into another world; maybe a 2-acre courtyard surrounded by 13th century college buildings and a medieval chapel with famous works of art. On the outside, none of this is remotely apparent; but rather, tucked away behind a shabby exterior, making no attention to itself.. Because it need none.

I even find the pubs here similar. Last night Ana and I were walking down a busy street and decided to go down a tiny alley (so small that we had to walk in single-file) and find a little door on the right, that opens up to an old historic pub.. Hardwood floors, nice rugs, a fireplace with lanterns built into the wall, a bookshelf built into the wall with all kinds of books to read, leather chairs, and tons of different ales.

Indeed, I hope to learn from these manifestations of humbleness around me.

Oxford II

Thursday, July 23, 2009 - Here we are now in Oxford; another majestic university town. Pictures from day 1:

Cambridge II

Monday, July 20, 2009 - Today I went to check out Trinity College. This is where Isaac Newton studied; who, incidentally, published more on Theology than he did science. It's too much for me to really comprehend what it would be like to go to school here, where some of the greatest minds in the history of civilization studied. Here are a few more shots of Cambridge -

Brasileiros
Hoje eu fui para a universidade de "Trinity College". Essa lugar eh onde o Isaac Newton estudou. Nao posso imaginar estudando aqui, onde pessoas como Newton estudou. Fotos..

Cambridge I

Saturday, July 18, 2009 - We took a 7-hour busride from Cardiff (Wales), on the western ide of the country, here to Cambridge in England on the east side of the country.

The place is spectacular. I know I'm not supposed to say this, but it reminds me of Oxford. Both places had my jaw hitting the floor. Pictures:

Brasileiros
Estamos em Cambridge, no este da Inglaterra.. Eh linda aqui - ridiculo. Aqui sao as fotos..

Cardiff Castle

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - We dig our hostel here in Cardiff. It's relatively quiet, friendly staff, and has an overall peaceful atmosphere. We got a tip from one of the girls staying here to check out the castle here in Cardiff, which we did today. And it was worth it. These castle grounds definitely covered the most area of any castle I think I've seen yet, and the interior of the living quarters was insane, with some of the most intricate carvings and decoration I've seen yet.

The castle grounds have been here since 300AD. A wall protects the castle & living quarters all around, of which also has/had a moat all around the exterior of it. Inside the walls is the castle itself, which is actually roofless (and always has been), but had covered buildings inside of it at one point. The castle is surrounded by yet another moat - even within the walled & moated area. Also within the walls are the "apartments" - another separate structure where royalty lived since (I believe) around 1100AD.

Come, take a little journey through the castle below.. I've noted little tidbits of info next to some of the pictures.

Brasileiros
Hoje nos fomos para o castelo de Cardiff - a capital do Pais de Gales. Foi incrivel; esse castelo tem muita terra, e o interior do castelo eh lindo.