Porto Alegre
Trip Start
May 17, 2008
1
24
40
Trip End
Ongoing
Porto Alegre,
Brazil
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Sept 9 - Tuesday - I took the bus to Porto Alegre today. I love the busses here. Thought clearly for the first time in weeks. Upon arrival I took a taxi to the hotel or so I thought ... the damn taxi dropped me 5 blocks out of the way and told me it was down the street ... the fucker. After talking to someone who knew better, I found out that it was close. I decided to hoof it, asking directions/confirmations along the way. Eventually I found the Hotel Ritz, the Lonely Planet's (Our Pick). I could immediately see why. I loved this little hotel. It was just what I needed, nothing more and at the right price with a little charm thrown in for good measure. Since I only had a couple hours of sunlight left in the day, I decided to spend it in the Park, which happened to be near the Federal University. I really enjoyed the walk and people watching, oh and churros. Yeahhh churros. God I love that stuff. After dark I would get a little turned around in the city and would have to ask for directions a few times before finally getting my bearings. Thank God my Portuguese professor drilled me on directions. I was amazed that I was getting by just fine with the Portuguese I had. In fact, I didn't seem to be having any problem at all. After getting back to the hotel, I decided to go out for dinner.
Awesome picture in front of Praca Matriz
Found a great bar nearby with friendly people. After talking to the waitress in Portuguese, she asked me where I was from (in English). Once I realized that she was actually speaking (very well-spoken) English and that I wasn't just translating her in Portuguese (in my head - always trips me up when that happens) I was ecstatic. Happy to find someone that I could have a full blown conversation with we started yapping. Soon 2 lovely women noticed my English and began speaking to me in English as well. They were excited because they never get the chance to practice. Before long I was eating at their table and yes they were quite lovely, especially the more German girl. She was both interesting and interested. She spoke the least amount of English of the two, yet we had the most conversation. We talked for almost 2 hours in Portuguese. I seemed to have no problem in communicating with her and could understand everything that she said. Soon the 2 lovely ladies turned into 5 lovely ladies, as their friends arrived. Here is where it began to be much. They obviously were out for a night of girl-time and the three new girls were wondering "who is the dude". Unfortunately, I still don't have the communication skills to smooth-talk it out of them, so I bid my leave. I don't think Tatiana (the lovely German lass) wanted me to leave, but it was the right moment. Was a pleasure though. Sept 10 - Wednesday - Long day, but all in all a good one. I started my day at 10am with Linha Turismo of Porto Alegre and I learned something: 1) Tours have their value (if you know me, then you know I can be kinda snobbish about such touristy things) and 2) It´s a great place to meet women.
Borges de Medeiros
Seriously, it was a bus full of women. 40+ people and there were probably 5 men in the lot. Of course, I met another girl on the bus. God I love Brazil. Via small-talk I found out she was in town for two days, from Minas Gerais, single, doesn't speak any English and gathered that she was up for having a travel buddy. Unfortunately, probably for me, I wasn't up for sharing my day so I didn't give the opener. Go figure right. I mean, she was cute, but she wasn't that cute and I was feeling selfish with my day. So I spent the day in City Central (downtown). For all of $2.00 American, I had Salsicha (2 hotdogs with some other stuff included), 2 sticks of fried fish (crazy good - which would explain why I went back for the second portion), and a drink. After that, I was happy, satisfied and full. Walked and visited all the city parks, museums, and thoroughly enjoyed checking out all the architecture. Loved seeing all the street vendors in and around Centro. Every day is like a 200+ Arts, Crafts, and Mercado street fair in Centro (the downtown) and I hear that there's even more on the weekend. Then came the rain.
Man, when it rains in Brazil, it really rains. There's no playing around. The bottom drops and when it does, it lasts for days. My feet were so soaked. Once I made it back to the hotel and dried out, I decided to head out for a movie. Found a theatre through the telelistas (telephone pages). Went and saw Hellboy. Wasn't very good, but it was in English ... and so was a tradeoff. Didn't feel up for understanding only half of a movie. I had spotted a really good restaurant earlier today and went for a 9pm dinner. Had a couple of beers and a Bauru (hard to describe). Sooo good. Totally satisfied I headed in for the night. All in all a great day. Thinking of heading out tomorrow for my last stand in Santa Cruz Do Sul before I head north for good.
Sept 11 - Thursday - Rained like crazy all night and all morning. Even the sun wasn't around. I almost didn't get out of bed it was so awesome. I just wanted to stay in bed at this cute little hotel, but I started thinking about how I would be wasting funds and not doing what was important, which was to get on the road. So I picked myself up and made it out to the bus station.
(One the bus ride back to Santa Cruz Do Sul) Today my thoughts are with my country and my people. The constant rain this day only fuels my saudades. I remember where I was that day and all the days that would come after. Today I am the sad clown for so many reasons; one being the actions taken afterwards of my country and our current president. I think of where we have come and what has been done in this day's name, since.
