Tryp Porto Alegre

6 December 2009

I made a mistake by uploading the entry of 24.11.09 into my travelpod titled 'The Longest Drive'. It is now installed in its rightful place in ‘North to Alaska’ with the correct date. I have also uploaded some extra photos to this entry.

Please see ‘I didn’t hit a cow today’ on 24.11.09

... stuffing around with our Visa cards, which the swipe machine wouldn’t accept), while Des was having an animated conversation with a Federal Police Officer, who also had a BMW 1200 GSA. The cop said that his wife will only go with him on a motorbike trip if their insurance covers a medi-vac helicopter, to pick her up if she breaks a fingernail. The cop is also heading down to Ushuaia in December. (Will she be coming?)

He was telling Des, when ...

... both ways, twice) to exchange some money. I asked the exchange rate and the 'person in charge’ came around the counter and asked me how much I had. I told him $500 Australian, which he took from me. He smacked it onto the counter, jabbered something in Portuguese to the staff, and gave me a handful of dough and a receipt indicating an exchange rate of $1AUS to R$1.2 Reais. I was done like a dinner! Leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but makes you smarter next time.

... for example, I went to check out a Gaucho guitarist called Marcello Caminha and was surprised to hear him play many tango songs.

It just so happens that the annual feria do livros (book festival) is taking place while I´m here so I went to check it out. There were all sorts of books as far as the eye can see (but mostly in Portuguese). I was very happy to find a used copy of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller ...

... de lá.
Participei de uma reunião de grupo familiar e que contou com a presença da Cassia, Tavani, Raquel, Aziz e outros.
Tivemos uma reunião de homens na casa do Márcio e Viviane, quando ela estava fora. Foi muito legal participar de um encontro de machos. rs.
Tive a oportunidade de ir na igreja onde Marcio e Viviane congregam e conheci o pastor deles, um homem que tem o oração para missões.

... things from the market, or jog, or just sit and drink chimarrao with friends and family. It's just such a happy city. Even when it's raining, people are still out and about, and the atmosphere still seems light. Anywho, I'm on my way to Brasilia, right now, and from there, I have one flight to Manaus. I have 2 days in Manaus, and then I'm home. I'm actually looking forward to going home. It will be nice to see people I know, and to get on with the things I need to get going with.

... de communication, voila qu on ne comprend meme plus le menu ... au final, en parlant avec les personnes en espagnol avec un accent bresilien, on arrive a peu pres a se faire comprendre. Daiane, notre amie bresilienne nous apprend aussi plein de vocabulaire et plein de choses a propos de sa region (elle parle tres bien francais): on est au Bresil mais on a pas quitte la terre des gauchos (cowboy sud americain), les ...

... and you are white and blue and spacious like the earth at vintage time. In that territory, from your feet to your brow, walking, walking, walking, I shall spend my life. One of my favorites is "Let The Woodcutter Awaken." It's about North America and it's really long, so I'll copy just a few passages. West of the Colorado River there's a place that I love. I hasten there with everything that transpires in me pulsing, with all that I ...

... their lunch. They eat between 10:20-40. Then it is nap time.... until 2 pm. Then we either a) have movie time (this can also be in the morning between 9-10 or before we get there) b) play more inside with blocks again or c) if it is nice outside we go out and play on the playground, or take them for a walk around the block. So during my day I am basically saying, play nicely, sit, lay down, sleep, eat, do you want more food etc... etc ...

... North-east Brazil and are this weird white powdery substance that you cook to make firm into a wrap, which you put sweet or savory things in. We had bananas, strawberries, and chocolate in ours. Delicious.

Well, this is getting quite lengthy. I will cut myself off and write to you all in a few days. Going to attach a few pictures this time. :) Hope all is well.

Take care,
Lindsey

p.s. Happy Birthday from Brazil to Aunt Lisa and Kellen :)