| February 23, 2002 The next day I got up around 10, grabbed grub, and headed for the beach. There was a girl from South Africa that I forgot to mention who went with us the day before. Well, she knew a good beach, or so she said, that was a bit calmer that we could try out. Another spectacular bus ride later we were there. The beach itself was pretty disappointing, but we had a pretty good time there in the end. In fact, it was perfect. We all swam for a really long time in the beginning. Here's something funny. P-Swissy and I wrestled around in the water a bit. Man, that dude was a toothpick. For the first time I think ever, when I wrestling around I wasn't the toothpick. I threw him and Bob around like ragdolls. It felt pretty cool:) After that, I wanted to head for a beach with more action, so Bob and I set off from the rest of the crew. Well, we decided to stop and eat...it was 1:00...OH, I forgot to mention that before that, we played some vollyeball and I got some good pics. Anyway, we went to this "by the kilo" place on the beach. That is an important concept that I never introduced that they have in Brazil that we desperately need in the US. It is basically a buffet where you only pay for what you eat. You make your plate, they weigh it, and then you pay a certain amount per kilo (usually about 10-15 reals/kilo which is about 4 to 7 dollars) Well, if you don't know, a kilo is 2.2 pounds, so basically you can get 2 POUNDS of food for 4 bucks. Very nice. This one had tons of great seafood, rice, and of course my favorite, mash potatoes. We sat there and ate like kings, had a few beers, and talked. It was perfect. I'll never forget the view out that window. Anyway, a little over an hour later, the others came in and were surprised to see us since we had left to go to the other beach over an hour before. Well, we sat there for another hour and had a couple more beers. It turned out to be great. I remember I talked about Johanna for quite a bit. Anyway, after that, we headed back to the beach. I slept for about 45 min, took a swim, and then finally headed back to the hostel. It was 4:15 and I still needed to check bus times to head back to Sao Paolo. By the time I got to the Rodoviaria it was about 6. The problem was, the last bus to SP was leaving at 7:50 and if I was gonna make my plane the next day I had to be on it. So it was back to the hostel to get my credit card, back to the bus station to buy my ticket, back to the hostel to shower and pack, and finally hurry back to the bus station to catch the bus. I made it with about 10 min. To spare. Luis and I walked there together (He was going back too)and decided to meet up the next day in SP, which was cool. The bus ride, again, wasn't to bad.
I got to SP at about 6:00a.m. I got my bag and put it
at the guardavolumes and waited around for Luis' bus. He never showed
but I had his number so it was all good. I caught the subway back down
to the Praca de Avore stop near the hostel. I figured I'd grab a bite
and then hang at the hostel for awhile and then give Luis a call. After
a great "by the kilo" breakfast, I went to the hostel. Holly
was still there!! We caught up on the last couple days and it was cool.
She said that Marco (from Punta del est hostel) had been there the previous
couple days and I had just missed him. She found out he knew me because
she was looking at his pictures and I was in one! Pretty funny. Anyway,
her doctor friend never showed up, so that question was answered. She
introduced me to this Israeli guy, Barak, who I mentioned before that
I would later see at the bus station. I hung in the hostel for about 3
hrs. I dozed off for a little bit. Eventually Luis showed up (I had called
him) so we were ready to roll. Holly and I had another improper goodbye,
but I kissed her again. I have a very good feeling we will be seeing each
other again. Anyway, Luis and I walked up to Santa Cruz mall. We tried
to see Ocean's 11, but my freakin' credit card didn't work. That, for
sure, will be one thing I will be glad to have back being at home...ubiquitous
use of the card. From there, we headed to Paulista to get some cash and
we walked around the markets a bit. Then we walked to his neighborhood,
sat in a bar and had a beer. It was a great day just kind of aimless walking
throughout the city. He showed me the apartment of his host family which
was REALLY nice. After that, we hit this mall for a bit, I had a final,
very quality "by the kilo" meal and it was time to roll. I spent the last hour in the airport with yet another amazing Israeli chic, Adi...let's just call her Jewel:) Anyway, I met her at "On the Rocks," remember that was the first bar I went to in the airport when I first arrived. Anyway, I went there for a farewell drink and to decide my fate...plane just took off, no turning back now...but when I got there, I didn't feel like being alone Well, this girl walked up to the bar right about the time I did and she had a backpack so I figured her for a traveler. I asked her if I could buy her a drink, and she said okay, so I sat down and began to lay it out for her. I'd like to add that I had a Beam and coke when I sat down there, which strangely enough was my first of the entire trip! Anyway we sat for an hour and had a great talk. She agreed with some other people that the move was to go back and finish school and then head out on the road. Let me just also add real quick, that this girl was pretty cute, but more importantly, she had an amazing head on her shoulders for being only 19. I don't know what's up with these Israeli's, but they are pretty cool. Anyway, the whole experience was a perfect end to a great trip, which really was all about learning and experiencing the company of people from other countries. I walked away from her with a smile and I felt a bit better about getting on the plane. Thanks Jewel. Yet another Israeli changing my life. I can honestly say I don't know if i would be sitting here if it wasn't for her. Maybe that isn't such a good thing. Only time will tell... AC |