New Adventures
It is now two months since we've returned from our world trip and many ask what we’ve been up to. Here's the scoop:
Gadi went back to his old position at his old company. They were e-mailing him while we were still away asking for him to come back. The interview was scheduled for two days after we arrived and he started two weeks later. It’s good to get back into a routine, and, well, start making some money again.
As for me, I’ve been milling about, not really accomplishing much. Oh, I forgot to mention that we are now living in the basement of Gadi’s parents’ house. I feel totally displaced, all our things are still in boxes, I have no means of transportation, I have little to do. I don’t really feel like I am at “home”.
So, why haven’t I done anything with me life and why haven’t we taken steps to move out? Here’s the thing: I was casually offered a three month work experience in Uruguay and I wanted it. The plan was for me to go work as soon as I got back, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
The end result, I am now sitting in Sao Paulo airport waiting for my next destination: Montevideo, here I come! I am quite excited. I will be working in a pharmaceutical company giving me more exposure in my field. I am getting an apartment in the center of town, beside a park and just a few blocks from the beach.
The trip didn’t get off to a great start. I did my research and knew that Canadians need a visa for visits longer than three months. I planned to visit Buenos Aires, a two-hour ferry ride from Montevideo, and upon returning to Uruguay the 90 day count starts again. I booked tickets spanning longer than three months but what I didn’t know is that the airline has a right to refuse check-in without the visa. I was shocked when I arrived at the airport. I told them that I will be in and out of the country and I wouldn’t need the visa.
Nope, they couldn’t take my word. I had to get the reservation changed, so now I return a few weeks earlier than expected. Definitely a learning experience. Oh well, it is all behind me and now I can look forward to my life in South America. I will keep you posted on my new adventures.
One Carnaval, one wedding, one Rio
We spent four amazing days on the beach of Barra do Una for Carnival. Brazilian beaches are truly spectacular with white sand and warm clear water and surrounded by the green jungle.
Although the town was small, we got a taste of what Carnaval is about: music in the streets, costumes and samba. Gadi walked around the streets with his father's professional camera and people started posing for him-very funny.
We returned to Sao Paulo to celebrate the wedding of Gadi's aunt. It was a nice celebration where I meet relatives for the first (and most likely the last) time. We wish Luci and Clelio a lifetime of happiness.
Now on to Rio de Janeiro...we were shocked when we first entered the city. It looked old and delapitated; not the Rio we expected. We then entered a tunnel going under one of the many hills and emerged in another world, a world of beautiful beaches and beautiful people.
Yesterday we visited the Botanical Gardens. We were walking alone along one pathway when we heard rustling in the trees above. Monkeys!!! Then some loud german tourists came along and scared them all away...We then made our way to the famous large Christ monument overlooking the city (very Jewish of us). The views of the city were amazing. We ended the day by walking along Ipanema beach watching the sun set...ahhhh...
Today we walked around downtown and the historical part of the city. Nothing much to report other than some more cathedrals.
Tomorrow we plan to spend the day on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. It's such a hard life.
maps can be disproportionate…
In the last week, we travelled to the south of Brasil. Our first stop was the beach town of Florianopolis - unfortunately, it rained both days that we were there.
The first day, we tried to go to the noth beach of Jurere, but the rain wouldn't subside long enough for us to lounge around in the sand or go swimming. The second day was also cloudy, so we went on an incredible hike which had amazing views and finally brought us to a secluded beach.
We then made our way to Iguazu Waterfalls to meet up with Keren. The waterfalls are located at the triple forntier of Brasil, Argentina and Paraguay. These waterfalls huge!!! We arrived by bus on the Brasil side but were meeting Keren in a hostel on the Argentina side. We decided to walk the distance, afterall, it looked very close on the map. In reality, not so much. Now I understand why when we asked for directions to walk, people actually laughed at us.
Becca at the Argentina/Brasil Border
We walked across the Brasil border, then the Argentina border and after over two hours of walking we finally decided to catch a bus into town. We met up with Keren and half the population of Israel. In all seriousness, you hear more Hebrew on the streets than any other language!
The first day, we checked out the Brasilian side of the falls and the second day was spent ont he Argentinian side. The waterfalls are truly incredible; I could have watched them all day. And the wildlife is so diverse from giant spiders to aligators to the cutest little animal, called the coati.
We are now back in Sao Paulo hanging out with family again. Gadi's aunt, Luci, was amazing enough to get us free passes to the swimming pool at the Jewish Center. Yesterday, we got out fill of sushi at an all you can eat restaurant, which included sashimi....hmmm....
Today Gadi's parents arrived. We are moving out of the Gadi's uncle's house and into his cousin's house before we take off the a beachhouse for Carnaval!
Rebecca
Chill-axing with the family
For those loyal followers of the GlogTrotters blog, I would like to write a small update of our trip.
Since we left Peru for Brasil, we have been doing a lot of relaxation with our family. We did visit some important things in the city, although Brasilians say that Sao Paulo is not a city for tourists. One of the most interesting things that we visited was the "Museu do Futebol" (or Soccer Museum in plain English) in the Stadium Pacaembu. It was pretty well done and very mesmerizing with all the TVs and the GOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
Another important event was meeting the husband-to-be of my aunt Lucila. His name is Clelio and he is a great guy.
Tomorrow we plan to take a night bus to the beach city of Florianopolis to do some more relaxing but this time in the nice Brasilian beaches.
Gadi