All the other birds are migrating south

Dont hold your breath!

gloriamelody — Thu, 7 Apr 2011 12:08:00 GMT

10 buses, 1 train, 3 flights, 62 days, 13 hostels, 2 hotels, 8 cities, 27 stories, 3 upset tummies, 1 flu, too many hangovers and endless fun… what a self discovering journey it has been!

I remember this feeling. I`d experienced it twice every term of the school year. All kids do at boarding school. I remember staring at the clock at school as if every hour was taking a life time and before the school bell rang I`d be blue from holding my breath for so long. Then there`re the butterflies, the dry throat and anxiety. Don’t believe I got sweaty palms at that age. But it's exactly how I'm feeling now. I can't concentrate, my head's occupied by thoughts of flight numbers, times and dates. The last few days have gone by so slowly the weather and fog stopped me from hanglidding over Lima and my feet stopped me from walking the entire city. If I could do Lima again I'd only take two days. Not the highlight I was expecting, but a true insight into the capital of Peru

It took over 33 hours to make my way home. After touching down in four countries I'm finally home and haven't been looking forward to writing my last entry. Then its official. But the truth is: I'm home. And it feels as if I haven't left. I’m back at the desk where this all began. It's my birthday and I'm another year older. Wiser for sure, and looking forward to the next adventure ahead... Canada. I've decided I'm gonna learn French and move to Montreal for a few months. That will make my life in France a bit easier. For now, anyway, my dreams are limitless and I'm not even thinking about returning to work... not on my birthday anyway.

Them bells are ringing!

gloriamelody — Sun, 3 Apr 2011 06:52:00 GMT

Shopping tils that is! Viva Lima. It's weird, Lima is like any other capital city in the world. It's got everything you need, movie theatres, restaurants, casinos (boy oh boy are there casinos). They´re everywhere. At least two within two blocks from my hostel. But it's weird because I feel like I've left the country before I've jumped on the plane. The people look different (most look mixed European) the buildings too (they dont have that ancient city feeling to them) and the old lady wearing traditional clothes holding a baby lama saying ´foto Mis, take foto´ is missing. This doesn´t feel like Peru at all.

Anyway, I´m staying in Mirafloras. It's on the coast. Visited the beach yesterday, and at the time I decided I would have a food blog the next time I travel (that idea melted away pretty quickly when I saw my legs wobbling when I walked in). I dined in a resturant that looked like Walt Disney´s Disneyland. I had the Grand Tasting Menu which meant I felt like I was one of those judges in Masterchef. I had four starters, four mains and three desserts! Only baby sizes mind you. All in all I would score it a 9/10. Minus one point for only having 3 desserts. Not that I ate them all, but it's the thought that counts. All of the dishes came from the sea, the scallops were small and served with the red bag thingy still attached. Thats a bit yucky, aye. I'm sure thats the sh*t bag! My favourite waiter was the bun guy. He has a basket of buns and all he does all day is ask if you want any more buns. I was bunned out. Anyway, I´ve got some more great photos (I promise to post them when I get home).

As you can imagine I've been pretty deprived of high heels and shopping malls. Of course the first thing I brought were some high heels. Come to think of it, they make me look more like a freak, as if I wasn´t tall enough, now I´m 3 feet taller than everyone else. I feel like a lady again, now if only I could hide these ugly mozzy bites. The heels are charcoal suede ankle, lace up boots with a wide wooden heel and heavy studs around the sole. Think clogs with a touch of French "je ne sais quoi". Anyway who needs a man when I´ve got great food, footwear and foot massage! Not me...Amen

Mirage

gloriamelody — Fri, 1 Apr 2011 05:31:00 GMT

I really don’t want to leave Paracas. It`s really beautiful and warm. Sad fact is most tourists don't stay in Paracas and only stay the day and leave. Lol. I´ve been here for 3 nights. Lucky alright. Had an early start yesterday morning, starting with a boat ride out to Islas Bellaesta island where I saw a hundred sea lions, penguins, exotic birds and the most bird kaka you could ever imagine. The Peruvians collect the birds poo off the rocks once a year as it makes great fertilizer, and man does it stink. I got some great footage and photos of mother sealions teaching their cubs to swim. Aww super cute. And on the way there we visted one of the Nazca lines which was over 2000 years old.

In the afternoon we adventured out to the National Park which at the tip of the Peninsula. Here I was thinking it would be a lush forest or something similar that I´ve seen in the S.A. Silly gringo Gloria didn´t do her homework! It was a desert. With lots of sand and not much else. Lol. Filled with 4000 year old shell fossils, and, gee, when we reached the Pacific Ocean it had never looked so beautiful. We stopped off for some lunch with the freshest seafood meals. Luckly, I had made friends with three Americans, one of whom was a native and ordered lunch for us. As far as I'm concerned Peruvians have the best cuisine in S.A. Hands down. As far as seafood goes. I think New Zealand still has the biggest and the yummiest everything. I even eat shell fish now! I passed on the swim as although it only rains 20mm a year here and it was warm, it was still your typical freezing Pacific Ocean I love and remember.

During the night I went out for dinner and drinks with two friends I made on the tour. One was a retired Israeli doctor who was born in Argentina, the other was our native handsome tour guide. It was nice to get away from the typical conversation travels have. The conversation flowed easily and the guys spoke English most of the time. I always feel a bit guilty when everyone can't speak their native tongue because I cant understand any of it. Anywho I told them all about the treaty, Maori, NZ education and even about Kate Sheppard. They were really interested, especially Lou as Peruvians don’t have tribes any more, not in a traditional sense anyway. Well that’s how I understood it. Speaking of my Lou, he was our tour guide. Very sexy. Part African, Italian and Peruvian. The only guy on my trip so far that really tempted me! God damn, since when has one lil holiday fling ever hurt anyone? Anyway I managed to send him packing. Yeay. That’s just what I didn´t need. More sexual frustration. One thing is for sure, Im taking yoga back up again as soon as I get home!

Four hour bus ride to Lima. Yippy last bus ride ever….

The home stretch

gloriamelody — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:54:00 GMT

So after my 23 hour bus ride that was meant to take 16 I´ve finally made it to Paracas (on the Pacific coast) which is a bit off the beaten road for me as I had intended to stop off in Pisco. The travel agent was a liar. It`ll be easy getting to Pisco, eh. Just book a bus from Nasca. No buses go to Pisco, idiot. Paracas is better that Pisco anyway. I've been told that it’s the Galapagos islands for the poorman. Ha. Fits me perfectly. There are a few good nature tours here out to the islands and sand dunes. So I'm happy to set up camp here for a few days.

It has come apparent to me that no matter where I am in the world, no matter how far I stray or how far I fall from grace, god always finds me landing on my feet, perched on some five star hotel sun bed drinking cocktails sea side, soaking up the sun with nothing better to do than read a book and eat baked corn cornels. It seems I can't run (or bus) away from my life of excess or fortune. Or possibly it's because I´ve been stuck on a bus for so long everything appears to be cherry flavored, sunshine and lollypops. It’s true though. Last night I had no idea where I was going, if there would be any hostels or if I was gonna be dropped off in the middle of nowhere with kung fu sound effects my only weapon. (With enough conviction I'm pretty sure I could be somewhat convincing.) I found somewhere to stay in a nice hotel with a double bed and own bathroom. No waking up to my Israeli dorm mates having sex, no late night parties, no musty odour that isn’t mine and no coming to bed to find strangers sleeping in it. Just me and a remote (and about 20 flies. Note to self: buy fly spray). It cost 17 NZ dollars a night. Which is only 2 more than I was paying in Cusco. One short walk down the road and I've found a great resort and spa with free internet. Cocktails aren´t free but the views are. There I was sitting on this lovely white cushioned sunbed getting my dirty feet and hairy legs all over it thinking to myself… why fight it. I work hard to live my life the way I want to live it, and sacrifices for it too. I don’t see why I should settle for anything than the best that the universe has to offer me. My point being what’s the point of backpacking? I've done it. Did it by myself even… across South America. Loved and hated it. But why do I need to go to Canada and do it all over again? I've proven to myself that I'm capable, and now I just wanna go home and spend time with the ones I love. I don’t need to fly straight to Toronto from Lima! Canada’s going nowhere.

The moral of my story is after 60 days of carrying my home on my back I’ve realized there´s no place like home and I don’t even need a pair of ruby slippers. I've decided to come home, make more money so I can live the life I want in Canada, laugh at the good and bad times over photos with my friends and family and celebrate two mile stones with the people I hold so dear to my heart. I've got one more week here, then a marathon of flights to catch to get home. But hold on tight, my journey isn´t over yet xx

Another bus...woohooo!

gloriamelody — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:15:00 GMT

Just when I think Im getting bored of a city, it comes up with a whammy. Cruised into Cusco for my last supper and a few more hundred photos, and there was a parade. In the main Plaza was a massive dance competition, all ages were involved. I am not completely sure what it was all about. There was a judges table and 20 dance groups. I've got some great camera footage. The costumes were bright with tassels and pom poms. Some groups had leather chaps and cowboy boots while others were more simple. Anyway. a few of the groups had these ropes that look like whips and they started whipping each other with them. Hehe. I’m not sure what the point was but I'm thinking that they're reinacting some type of feud between villages. And at other parts the men would lift the women on their backs and run around with them. Oh almost forgot the fireworks, during the day even. Again I'm not entirely sure what the point is but I'm guessing it was all a part of something bigger.

Well I'm off to Inka tonight. 16 hour bus ride. I pray there are toilets on the bus. It's meant to be cama which is the more expensive bus, but you never know what your gonna get in South America. Inka is a small town between Nazca and Pisco, there´re a few ruins and a national park on the way.

Have caught a bit of a cold and have been a bit out of commission for the last few days. Cuscos is a bit schizophrenic with its weather. One moment it's sunny, the next it's raining and freezing. And as you can probably tell from some of my photos I´ve been caught out a few times in Peru. Finally decided to buy something for it. Walked into the pharmacy rubbing my throat and she just asks me if I wanted antibiotics. No doctor, no nothing. So I'm gonna be sipping on my lolly juice on the bus and sleeping like a baby. Hoping there's some great views on the way as I don’t get off the bus till 11am. I´ll miss this place. But I´ll tell you this for free, I'm defiantly coming back to Cucso. To my younger readers, if you make it to Cusco stay at Loki Hostel. Think I'm a bit too young for the place. Either that or I'm just getting sick of this backpacking gig, but it's my second favourite hostel so far…ciao from Cusco talk soon x

Yin and yang (part 2)

gloriamelody — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:50:00 GMT

…Do you remember when Dorothy and her friends were playing in amongst the flowers? They all fall asleep and the Wicked Witch of the East sends out those ugly flying monkey things to capture her? Total downer, aye. Well, that’s how I felt when I discovered there was a landslide on the railway tracks and I discovered my Inca journey wasn’t going to be so stress-free. Yes, everyone was fine. No one hurt, but this isn´t about the people on the train. This is about me! And not catching my train till 1am in the morning. As you can imagine it was chaotic, supposedly this is a regular occurrence. Even so, no one knew what was going on and in the end anyone was just pushing on to any train they could, seat or none. It's a bit of a dog eat dog world

I´ve come to learn I would make a great hobo. I´m resourceful, ruthless, easy-going and while these are great skills to possess while traveling alone at times I did feel guilty. I managed to make myself a lil bed out of a wooden crate and thin foam in an area that was under construction. Others were spreading sheets on the ground and looking at me with hungry eyes. Anyway by this time I had come to grips with the idea that no one was picking us up on the other side at the train station to take us to our hostel. So at 2.30am I found myself walking down a long dirt path to the bus station not knowing whether I could catch a bus or not. I hate the taxi drivers around here. You may have already read the story about the taxi driver that followed me around the airport and ripped me off. Well, this experience was twice as bad. 2.30am and these guys were literally trying to grab my stuff and pull me to their cars. I felt so helpless. Lucky for me there was a courtesy bus from the train station offering a ride to Cusco. Thank my lucky stars. I was beginning to think I would have to take a taxi. I had the whole back row to myself and managed to get a few hours sleep, arriving at my hostel at 6am…

Yin and yang

gloriamelody — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:22:00 GMT

It was everything I imagined and more. The previous two days I educated myself on the Sacred Valley and the Sun Temple in and around Cusco. I had a great local guide, Janet, who spoke fluent English, actually too much for my liking. She was a passionate chatterbox. Even during the four hour bus ride she had to tell us about the type of corn that was being grown on the hills, the different types of potatoes and local myths etc. We did a bit of climbing up different temples and cities and settled for our buffet lunch just outside of Urubamba where two local musicans played the pan flutes and other wind instruments in front of the river. Lunch was amazing. I didn’t have any guinea pig which was a bummer. But there was raw sea food, island style. I, of course, had seconds with pisco sour to wash it all down. After a 90 minute train ride thru the mighty valley of snow-capped peaks and above the roaring river we arrived in the Machu Pichu township.

4am: time to wake up and buy tickets for the bus. There were 7 of us staying in the same hostel, all with the purpose of meeting our guide and trekking Wayna Picchu. It started pouring down and against my better fashion judgement I wore one of those hideous plastic ponchos(again). Very practical and very ugly. Anyway, I managed to get over myself long enough to keep dry and book myself in to trek ¨the mountain of death¨. South Americans have very dramatic names for tourist attractions, and as history shows these titles are warranted.

After my two hour tour that started at 6am I trekked Intipunku. I was meaning to hike Michu Pichu which has the highest peak. Hence the city being named after it, actually no one knows the original name of the city, I´m guessing ¨City in the mist¨ in some type of Quechan translation. Anyway, I made a wrong turn and ended up on a smaller peak. Not that it was a small feat by any means. It took 90mins up and back. A good warm up, I had no idea what I was in for…

As you´ve already discovered I didn’t die hiking up the steepest peak around the Lost City. But it's common knowledge that the public climb at their own risk and death is a certain possibility. I reached the summit after 60 minutes of intense cardio workout. Again, the altitude played a huge factor and at some points I found myself huffing and puffing after only climbing four steps. Laugh out loud as much as you like, I stll can't believe it myself. Only 400 people can climb the peak each day, as many as that sounds at 5.30am all the entry stamps were sold out. Anyway, the track is narrow enough without anyone else on it. At times I was literally pulling myself up by a rope as the hill was too narrow and steep to climb. Probably the biggest physical achievement in my life yet. If you make it to The Lost City I challenge you to scale Wayna Picchu…right to the tippy top. I did it and was floating on cloud nine until...

Photos: Peru

gloriamelody — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:26:00 GMT

High spirts

gloriamelody — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:13:00 GMT

I´ve been a bit slack lately updating my blog. Been in Cuzco for four days now. Really pretty and safe town. Loki Hostel is on the top of the valley which means hiking up the stairs two or three times a day. I'm glad to report after two days I can finish the hike with no stops! First time it took me about four stops. Lol. Makes me feel like an old lady. 'Course after a night out I have to hail a cab. It's only $2.50 for a cab home. All the footpaths and roads are paved with brick and stone. Lots of old brick churches. Matter of fact the hostel looks like a bit of a castle itself. Great facilities and I have to say the cleanest toilets I've ever come across in South America.

I guess I should tell you about my run in with the taxi driver. Asshole ripped me off $20 giving my fake bills. I kind of knew that they weren´t legit. But I was just so glad that I made it to Cusco in one piece that I didn’t care about $20. Still grinds at me sometimes though.

Anyway, I'm off to do a city tour today and off to discover my first Inca ruins, just outside of the city. I'll try to get some good photos. Anyway, I've got much bigger fish to fry. Sacred Valley tomorrow, then Machu Pichu the next day. An action packed week. Must get going. Chat soon.

To the Radisson driver!

gloriamelody — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 08:28:00 GMT

My days as a Catholic school girl are paying off. This morning my flight was cancelled. Dunno why... I'm a silly gringo and don’t get any answers. But the world makes sense again. They put me up at The Raddison. It’s a four-star hotel everywhere else in the world, but Bolivia not so much. As it's one of the poorest countries in South America everything is cheap, cheap, cheap. So is the quality. Hence there being no toilets on the overnight bus. That only adds to the fact that I'm not supposed to eat the food!

But it does matter now. I’m in a fancy hotel and am safe to eat and even drink water from the tap. This makes me very happy as I haven’t eaten in two days. That’s at least eight meals for me.

I did manage to escape the confines of my bed yesterday. Found the witch market with the dried Lama foetuses. I wanted to take photos but my stomach wouldn’t let me. It's a strange type of beauty here. The mountains are covered with houses, some favals (slums), but literally covered and you can see the natural slope of the mountains shaping the skyline, with bricks instead of grass and trees. It really is bizarre. There are pretty parts of the city. Mostly the 1600-1800 European type churches and monuments. Not much grass though. Some trees. Actually it's not dirty and even though it's not the most ozone-friendly city, there are a few smellier cities I can think of.

Then there´s the women. I really haven´t seen anything like it in my life. They are no trendsetters mind you but the flounces of the skirts and petticoats, cute bowler hats and fluorescent knitted blankets worn as bags, ponchos or capes really are astounding. Bright or dull, shiny or matt, floral or geometric, crushed or embossed, natural or synthetic, these women know how to put on a show. And for some reason it's only the elders that dress accordingly. I'm sure it’s a mana thing. Have some camera footage but no photos. I didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. Oh and their hair. It's all about long hair in braids. I guess it’s the first time I've noticed fashion in South America because it's truly the first time it's stood out to me. Argentina´s and Brazil´s styles were predictable, but for originality I give Boliviano women two thumbs up.

Here's hoping next time you hear from me I've landed in Cuzco and booked my Inca trail.

La Paz, La Paz

gloriamelody — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:24:00 GMT

What a mission. Three bus rides later, a sore puku and the baddest black bags you´ve ever seen. But I'm clean now. After 30 odd hours, I had the longest hot shower ever. That last bus was a living nightmare. Trying to tell the bus driver I was sick in Spanish was no small feat. It's okay, I only had to spew up in my mouth twice and visit the motorway toilet once. Fun times. I broke out into a sweat. I knew I shouldn't of eaten anything. Traveling in Boliva is like being thirsty in the ocean!

Anyway, our second bus was trapped in traffic in the mountains. It was freezing. So Gwen and I loaded up the backpacks and headed north. We didn't trek that long. But I do believe I'm getting used to this backpacking thing. I'm a women on a mission. Maybe it was because I wanted to get the hell away from that hell hole. Bolivans really aren't the nicest race. There are the odd expectations. But they must think I'm the weirdest person when I smile at them. Everything is dirt cheap here. I made it across the country in less than 100 dollars.

Now for the good news. I'm only here for two nights then I'm off to Lake Titicaca, and Peru is only a hop, skip and a jump away. I've so been craving English speaking people. I've hardly meet any in the last week. My hostel is full of your typical Australian backpackers. Which means everyone speaks English. There' a great breakfast: pancakes. I think I'll have one... might be pushing it. Free internet, happy hour etc. I have a room to myself tonight. Gonna play catch up with sleep. Funny it will probably only take a few hours till I'm sick of hearing Australian accents. There are literally more Australians in S.A than any other race. Ok, now I'm race bashing. I'll cut it out.

There's this witch doctor market that I'm gonna check out tomorrow. And there are plenty of sights to check out. Here's hoping this bug is only 24 hours.

Lions and tigers and bears oh my

gloriamelody — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:40:00 GMT

Apart from the mozzies I was in heaven, and the ride in the makeshift bus on the bumpy dirt road was worth it. I'm lucky to get away with only 15-20 bites. Others not so much. For the past four days I've been lapping up the sun, sweating like no one's business and making the most of the day. It's been about 35-42 degrees every day. Activities start at 7.30 and 3.30pm. Every day we go hunting for exotic creatures, big and small, on land, in water and in trees. The first thing that hit me was the colourful macraws greeting us at the gate and Emily the pet warthog that followed the horses around. We had a tour group of only ten and most of the time we didn't see many others. Which is a first, it's so hard to get off the beaten track and away from the masses. The food's been great and very hard to resist seconds. So I didn't. I had seconds every meal. It's only polite. All three meals were buffet with dessert for lunch and tea. I think I had three beers the whole four days (which I think makes up for the fact of eatting so much)! The days were jam-packed with horse riding (real horse riding, none of this pansy stuff), and fishing. Yep, I caught a dog fish. Yep, it was yukky. But the camion liked it. I've got footage. One day I'll post it. We also did boat and 4x4 trekking. This morning I had a sleep in...til 8.30am lol. Not really what I call a sleep in. So I missed the hiking. Oh poos, I really wanted to do some trekking. When I woke up I had the whole place to myself. Bliss. I found an English novel (easier said than done). It's pretty cheesy, but I'm right in the midst of it now and can't put it down.

Anyway, I'm off to Bolivia tomorrow. Not sure for how long. I've met a French girl who is trying to get to Peru also. As I only have three more weeks left 'til Canada I really need to get moving! So wish me luck... again... and pray I don't book a ticket on the death train tomorrow... Love you all. Chat soon x

Vegas on wheels

gloriamelody — Wed, 9 Mar 2011 07:10:00 GMT

The night before... Mid way through the day we realise everyone is dressed up. We searched high and low with no luck of any costume inspiration. Finally, I decided on togas. Easy, cheap and to my surprise noone else was wearing one. Two Barbie pink sheets, some ribbon and white lais later we are ready for action. Lauren and I made Olly dress up with us. He was a team player and entertained our high sprits. It was a very random night, like a house party thats 10 blocks wide and nothing is taboo (here's where the guy nearly OD-ed)and us girls ended up staying up 'til breakfast the next morning. We started midday. Not a bad day in the office if I do say so myself.

1600 Buffet lunch and grocery shopping for snacks and vodka

1900 Without pretty dresses, water bottles filled with vodka, healthy snacks, cameras and faces adorned with feathery bright masks we were off... and lost. We fell a little bit behind everyone on the way to the Sambadrome. But made it safely ready to Samba. Here's where I couldn't find any other loos. I was bothered. Really bothered! The portaloos would be overflowing in an hour. I stopped drinking. BOO. Had I had any faith and asked someone, I would of found clean fully functional toilets! So gutted to find this out two days later

2100 The show starts and to my surprise we have to wait 40 minutes to see the first group of dancers. As the runway is so long it takes them this long to get to us. We were right at the end. The wait was worth it. I was in shock at the level of craftsmanship, talent, and most of all the passion each member displayed. I felt like a ...dream (if you're a rugby man like my dad I would compare it to a world cup final). Like a 3D movie without the annoying glasses. The colours, dancers, drums, horns, singers, feathers and sequins. I couldn't help but judge the choreography, costumes, music. After all I am a master of judging other people, and I love shows. I felt in some cases less is more! In saying that I don't quite understand the culture so my opinion is only that. But an unbelievable experience. Even though I would of seen more detail on the telly. Nothing else compares to real life. That's a big tick on my bucket list that's for sure

0200 By now we were sober and getting rather tired of people standing on our stuff, on us and not drinking of course. We decided to save 5 dollars each and walk. Not my idea. After 20 minutes we were lost and walked through two block parties. One was full of gay men. The boys felt uncomfortable. That's another interesting fact about Brazil. All the gay men. And why wouldn't they be, the men are hot. Anyway, some of us caught a taxi home, the others got home 30 mintues later (after telling us 'it's just 2 minutes down the road'). I wanted an early night because I want to be up early and fresh as a daisy

0300 Finished writing blog...finally bed time

So there you go. If you're into that kind of thing, come to Carnival in Rio. It's like Vegas on wheels with a very seedy down side. For me I don't think I'll be going back. I'm glad I did all the touristy sites, but without SUN it's not really a winner with me.

In Campo Grande now. Only three hours flight (23 hours by bus) and for the next four days I'll be living with anteatters, macaws, jaguars, paranas and ...zzz mozzies. Can't want to get to middle of The Pantanal.

Maddness on my doorstep

gloriamelody — Mon, 7 Mar 2011 16:23:00 GMT

I'm definately not in Kansas anymore! My world in Brazil is full of extreme contrasts. I'm staying in a 3-4 star hotel with my own bathroom, two single beds, fully-cooked all-you-can-eat breakfast, room service, pool, sauna, the works and yet for some odd reason I go out during the day/night into the most dirty, smelly and rotten street parties that start at 7 in the morning and where the homeless sleep in the worst conditions. Don't even get me started on the porta-loos. Words can not express the way I felt last night. It was a whole new low for me. When I say the parties start at 7am I'm not joking. Not that I get up that early. But I can hear the music from my room. Rioians know how to party. There are bars, food and costume stalls set up all along the streets, music blasting, half naked men and women. Women dressed as men, men dressed as women, men and women dressed as fairies, animals, and other.

Firstly, I have two friends from Floranopolis staying in the same hotel as me, so partying and venturing is much easier. I'm not sure if anyone has done their homework. But Rio can be very dangerous. So travelling around the city alone is not the best idea. So for that I feel very lucky to have cool peeps to hang out with. Lauren, Olly and I have spent most of our time drinking, getting ready for parties, searching for costumes and pushing 'gringo' happy men off us. To be honest, I don't find it flattering at all. More of an insult. Men don't really care what your opinion is around here and will grab what they can, when they want. It's a dog-eat-dog world sometimes. Other times, everyone's lovely and just want to party. I nearly watched someone overdose last night. Health and Safety is not really a priority around here. I tried to step in, lots of people did. But there's just no helping some people. It made us sick and we ended our night on a low note. On a high note I made it to a football game. There were more riot police than spectators....Doh. That was my attempt to say something postive...

Carnival in the Sambadrome was amazing. The 5 loos to 10,000 people did bother me though. I stopped drinking as soon as I got to the stadium. I'll post photos soon. I've come to realise my expectations were too high. I've had no sun, lots of rain and have seen, smelt and heard way too many people peeing on the street. I'm hoping the city tour tomorrow will turn things around. I've heard great things... fingers crossed.

Never judge a book from its cover

gloriamelody — Sat, 5 Mar 2011 00:30:00 GMT

The internet here is really slow, so let's see how I go...

With Rio comes the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've heard so much so far on my travels, but I only have two words... 'dirty' and 'poor'. A bit sad really. Tagging is not an artist's form of self expression but a silly scribble on a wall, building or bridge. Pavements are cracked from who knows what and it's just generally unpleasant. Out of the bus station I thought to myself, 'why would anyone want to have the Olympic games here?' Football World Cup I can understand. But this place makes me feel a lil uneasy. I was expecting to see beaches, but I woke up to tooting horns and favalas. Rio, I have arrived and am willing to seek the true beauty of this sometimes troubled city.

Right now I'm just waiting to check in to my hotel. Yes, I splashed out. I had scrambled eggs and sausages and am feeling pretty pleased with myself. Im gonna take a long hot shower and wash the 18-hour bus ride off me. Wait for Olly and have a nana nap. Ready for tonight's escapades. So much to do in so little time. I'm only here for four nights then I set off to The Pantanal.