Update

Wow, this week has flown by! We didn't get to do much exploring in Macae after all. Which is probably okay because I heard that there is a much smaller expat community there, making us more targeted. We didn't experience anything like that though. We did go eat at a place by the beach the second night there and had picannha with (what else) rice, farofa and french fries! Then the next day we were back in Rio for the most sunny day we've seen here! Clay and I were able to spend some time at the beach together which was very nice.

The weekend ended up being mostly cloudy again so we decided to go to Corcovado this coming weekend and just pray for nice weather. We did do some souvenir shopping at the hippie fair again and I found the cutest homemade, simple cotton dress. I've been wearing it nonstop I love it so much. Next trip, when we have visitors (I'm telling you people, I'll need visitors and you will kick yourself if you miss out on having someone to visit in South America, it's awesome here) I want to take all the girls there to get a dress like this. I'll have to have Clay take a picture of me later.

I have a few more pictures to show you all. Two more from Macae and a few we took on a walk down Ipanema beach to Leblon (about a 3 mile walk, it was so nice):





That's right, you're looking at a horse drawn carriage on a highway! Macae is an interesting place.

From our walk:

The two brothers behind me.

This is the sidewalk pattern for Ipanema, I'll take Copacabanna's to show you next time I'm there.

Very little Corcovado in the distance.

And my favorite: one of the kiosks on the side of the beach where you can purchase water, sodas, coconuts, beer, and food...but I can't imagine wanting to eat at one named after a washroom...

Macae

Surprise! We're in Macae for a few days! (Pronounced Ma-Kai-A) We drove in early this morning (and by drove I mean, a crazy Scottish man drove us and I thought I was going to vomit I was so car sick!). We're staying at a hotel so of course, I have internet and can still work and blog!

We haven't been able to do much yet since we've both been working today, but I'll try to have more to write about after we go out exploring tonight. For now, here are some pictures of our view:

And of course, if your towels are clean, please remember to rang them!

Two Brothers

Per my dad's request, some better pictures of the Two Brothers we see from our balcony in Rio.

You know you're a gringo in Rio if...

you hear the beach vendors walking up and down the beach selling, "cerveja, agua, coca, agua de coco!" and when they get close to you change their selling pitch to, "beer, water, coca-cola, coconut milk!"

you attract each and every beach vendor that has stocked up on hats and sunscreen.

when you walk into a store and there is an english speaking worker, the other workers immediately go get them and point them to you.

There will be more to come I'm sure...

First Week in Rio

Well the first week is down and it couldn't have been better. Clay's work has been going well and he has friends at the office and I'm feeling more safe when I'm alone and we both have had fun exploring. Some highlights from this week were:

Thursday: Going to the beach (a praia) by myself and not having any vendors hassle me (I have to imagine this had more to do with the fact that I had no purse or man to carry money than my hopes that they didn't notice my pale pale pale skin). Whatever the reason, it was a beautiful early morning and a great way to relax before work.

Friday: Our first Portuguese lesson from Clay's coworker Claudio. We all went out to dinner on Copacabana beach and had the Brazilian version of chicken wings, or frango a passarinho, which is basically baby chicken, chopped up and fried with salty seasonings and of course the regular sides of batata frita e arroz (french fries and rice, they come with EVERYTHING). We learned how to order these things, but we also learned the very important para viaje so I can have my doggie bag! He also had us doing math once the bill came. A very educating evening!

Saturday: Even though the sun didn't come out once all weekend and there was a slow drizzle for most of it, Clay and I (and all the Cariocas) spent the weekend on the beach. Saturday morning we went to Copacabana where we were immediately aware of our whiteness, but bought a kanga anyway and found a place on the beach. Even with the clouds, it was a pretty day with big waves and a great view of Sugarloaf.

After a praia, we walked down to the main street in our neighborhood to do some shopping. We did some window shopping and went into a pharmacia for some makeup I needed. Then we were feeling brave and both got Rio de Janeiro-esq bathing suits! We also were trying to find a bank that had ATMs that worked with US debit cards (THAT was a feat). We probably went to 8 banks before going back to the apartment to google banks in Rio and finding one pretty close to our house.

After the day of shopping and bank hunting, we went out for dinner and drinks with some of Clay's coworkers. First we had more frango a passarinho (I had a salad...I'm getting a little tired of meat, meat, meat all the time), then we went down the street to a place called Devassa which is a lot like Two Rows back home. They brew their own beers and have some pub food (we didn't try any). They also allow you to purchase full bottles of liquor, which they put a sticker on down the side that measures how much you have drank. Then you only pay for the amount you drank that night. They have you write your name on the label and hold the bottle for you until the next time you come. Pretty convenient if it is a place you frequent.

Sunday: Sunday was another rainy day so we made ourselves some breakfast and went down to our local suco e cafe shop (I think they're starting to recognize us). After we went to check out a peixeria (fish store) on our Copacabana corner, but it was too late and closing up (we'll have to try that out next week). Then we made our way down to a park that has a hippie fair every Sunday. They were selling everything from paintings to homemade jewelry to beatles paraphernalia. After we had a late lunch of picanha at a local place on the way home. It was a weekend full of walking, but also full of fun!

The Supermarcado Experience

Shopping for groceries is an experience in and of itself here in Rio. I've been to the store (Zona Sul) once a day for the three days we've been here and still don't have much to show for it. You have to do some smart and organized shopping here. Mostly because I don't have a car so I have to carry everything I buy home in plastic bags and can't carry too much for any distance. Luckily for me, there's a Zona Sul just around the corner and down the street from us (maybe a half mile walk). I also need to be organized before I go in because most everything is different and in Portuguese and I get distracted trying to figure out what things are. That being said, I did pick up some American staples: Diet Coke, Uncle Ben's Rice, Helmans Mayo, Pringles, and Activia. 

So what do these grocery stores look like? I don't have pictures for you b/c I'm too scared to take even a purse out with me, much less my camera. So, I'll just have to describe it. It's an open air market with no AC so as you can imagine, unless you get the produce the day or maybe one day after it's delivered, it starts looking pretty brown and buggy. They have the same sections we have, dairy, produce, canned goods, freezer section, cleaners, etc. but there are some differences.  They are small (like everything else here except the beach) so you feel a bit claustrophobic trying to get up and down the rows with 4 other people trying to get their groceries and get by. There are refrigeration issues, the eggs and milk (I've learned are ovos e leite) are not refrigerated! Kinda gross, but I got them anyway.  There's obviously less of a selection than we have, but there's still a few choices with most items. Checking out is pretty quiet after I let the checker know I "nao falo Portuguese", but they are still very nice and helpful. 

Hello From Brazil!

We made it! We're settled into our tiny apartment. It's pretty cute and really close to the beach. It's only about a minute or two away. Here are some pictures of our apartment:

This is our kitchen, it's only as wide from the fridge you see on the left to the door you see on the right.

This is our living room/dining room. The doorjam you see on the left is the entrance to our kitchen.

Down a little hall is our bathroom.

A little father down is our bedroom.

Outside our bedroom we have a cute little balcony.

And this is the view from the balcony!

On Our Way

After nine months of back and forth, Clay and I are finally leaving for Brazil next week! I know so many of you have been wanting to know all the details, but we haven't been able to answer you until now. Here are some of the FAQ's we're been getting:

When will you be in Brazil?
The first trip, I will be there from March 16th to April 5th and Clay from March 15th to April 15th.

When will you go back for the second trip?
We don't know. There is a window from May 27th to August 20th for us to return, so your guess is as good as ours!

Where will you be?
Clay and I will be in an apartment in Rio de Janeiro. The area is Ipanema/Leblon. You can see it on this map. Clay will share a car into work every day which will leave me to explore the city by foot.

How can I get hold of you?
If you would like to contact us, we will be able to Skype, email, and you can leave comments on this blog.

What will Allison do while you're there?
I have some work to keep me busy during the day and also some graphic design projects of my own. Clay's work schedule will be much more relaxed this trip and we will have evenings and weekends together so we plan to go to the beach and see Rio! We've already gotten a few tips about museums and site seeing.

Are you quitting your job?!
No way! My company has been amazingly flexible with me and I am so lucky to be working with such a wonderful group of people. Everyone has been so supportive of this adventure and I will be able to work or go on leave if necessary. I couldn't have asked for a better turnout.

That's what we know. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! Stay tuned for blog posts from Brazil next week!