Brasil - Before paradise

Brazil.
I had really high expectations for Brazil.
My interest for this country started back in 2002 when I started Capoiera classes in London, then continued in Brighton. I loved the vibe and energy that these movements, rythm, music embraced.
Mateus has always talked about his home country in a very interesting way. When he left Brighton, I was sure I would go and see him one day....the funny thing is that 7 years later, here I am....but Mateus is not here....we did see him in New York though! This is the only country in our trip (and our quick pass in Bolivia) that we go without visiting a friend...

Marianna

I have to admit I was a little disapointed in the first week...maybe because I was tired, I just wanted to stop travelling for a few days, rest, enjoy. Instead we had rain. We entered Brazil by plane, landed in Sao Paulo, didn't stay, went straight to Ouro Preto and Mariana. A small colonial city. Interesting and buitiful. Acutallly very suprizing! We had the first really nice food in weeks and the best breakfast for ages. That made me happy...I am not a food person but I realise now how important food gets when you travel around.

ouro preto

We were happy we at last had a lonely planet to help us out. Being in Peru and Bolivia without a guidebook was a little frustrating sometimes but the first week in Brazil, we over-red it!! Went to places that weren't really worth it, spend too much time in buses etc...and the rain didn't help. Our walking shoes got completly wet for the first time and took 5 days to dry.
Plenty of good things though. Nice towns, new culture, new discoveries, as always. Complaining is a luxoury!!! when we get the photos out we realise how lucky we are to experience all this!

From Ouro Preto, we went to a national parck...a monks monastry in the middle of nowhere...to walk, and see wolves...

for Dionysis and Salome!

Il pleut bergere! I realised I had a kid's poncho only when I opened it!!! Yeah, I got wet...

Sanctuario de Caraça

I now know that what I imagined was Brazil, wasn't were we went to first...when we arrived to Salvador de Bahia, I thought........ah! This is it! Colours, noise, laughs, music, music, music (good music, bad music, christmas carols, etc...), people everywhere, and in all this, people that are really coooooooool.
We are in Brazil! Yeahh

Christmas in Salvador de Bahia!!!