Ibis Macae

... t even left Brazil yet to go to Taiwan...and I am already planning ahead to where I wanna go in the next 3 years. LOL!!! Here is the tentative blueprint for the next 3 years: September 2007 - September 2008 : Taiwan October 2008 - January 2009 : India February 2009 - May 2009 : Africa June 2009 - July 2009 : European tour August 2009 - August 2010 : Portugal (if I can get a work permit there on my Brazilian passport) / Greece/ Egypt (locations may vary) September 2010 - October ...

... which don't require grazing lands) and a huge variety of legumes and fruits. I will also learn to embrace tofu (somehow) and look forward to becoming hopelessly addicted to dumplings, noodles and shaved ice desserts (a.k.a snow cones). Riding a bicycle everywhere in a 90% humidity environment will also be great for losing weight (and heat stroke). Thankfully I will have air conditioning and a fan in my living quarters. All in all, I am hella excited to be going to Taiwan ...

... of airlines in Taiwan do this). I'll have a free place to stay (share a 3-bedroom apartment with 2 other teachers) and airfare reimbursement at the end of my one-year contract. I am aiming to leave Brazil on September 19th. Yes, I know that that is really soon...but that is when the job offer is for...so that's when I am going! I gave my rent notice today and will be in Rio on Monday to apply for the visitor's visa. I am so incredibly excited by ...

... There was a lot of grumbling heard, but those people have no one to blame but themselves. Jessica made it very clear it was in the mountains, there was a hike involved and to not wear anything fancy. Some people just don't listen! On the other side of the creek, footing was a bit difficult. My feet were wet and were sliding around in my flip flops. There were also a lot of tree roots and other things to step over. The last little leg of our journey wasn't even on ...

Jessica and I worked together for a few months at ATIVO. It's a miracle she made it down to Brazil at all with all the hoops she had to jump through. She had problems getting her work visa, he passport was lost by the administration up in Michigan (she's from Grand Rapids) and she was starting to think that she just wasn't meant to come down to Brazil. Out of all the teachers, Jessica was the one I spent the most time chatting with and getting to know over MSN messenger ...

... even. I don't go to church and I don't associate myself with any religion. I like the philosophies of some (like Buddhism) and just try to live my life the best way possible. What turns me off about religion is the 'Ours is the RIGHT one, all the others are WRONG' mentality. If you live a good life, have not committed crimes or transgressions against mankind...then that little piece of heaven and/or salvation is yours...regardless of what religious sect you belong to or which god ...

... go out to work, and it also houses some others who have been abandoned by their families. Monday we did the hostel boat party. Unlimited caipirinhas - very dangerous. Several people obviousy didnīt know their limits, and it soon turned into a bit of a vomit fest. Besides from that, it was good fun! Today, Tuesday 6th, I went hang-gliding! WOW! This was something special! We flew from a ledge 1,700 feet up, landing on the beach. It is the ...

... 6 contestents on our night of the carnival, and each has up to 80minutes to get from the start to the finish, with lots of floats and between 2 and 4 thousand people. Some handed out flags to the crowds, some had very catchy songs that everyone was joining in. Some people were getting hold of costumes being thrown by the participants, so everyone was really getting into the spirit. I loved every minute of it, many people in our group ...

... morning Peter, how are you? to which I dutifully reply, "I am fine thank you." A conversation? Perhaps not but a definite contact between alien beings. Before long they are bringing me their pencils to sharpen, or their writings to show me how they have done an exercise, they know that I don't speak Portuguese but chatter happily as though I understood every word. I in turn smile, nod, point to some word they have copied in English or sometimes I just give an ...

... is almost surreal. When you see the drivers of nice cars ignoring red traffic lights after dark because should they stop they might get a gun held to their heads you know it is bad, or the traffic lights turned to flashing amber after 10pm to save such incidents you know this beautiful city has a huge problem. We have been advised to do as the locals do after dark, dress like locals, walk purposely, avoid eye contact and only carry essential loose ...