I hate TAM airlines

Back in Brazil after quite possibly the worst flight I have ever had. I feel like that is a bit harsh as I did just manage to make all my connections and get here at the time I said I would, but not without problems.

First of all Brazil sent a plane over to Heathrow that was too small. TAM airlines were offering people checking in at Heathrow 400 pounds to go on the next flight. As I had flown from Manchester, I was already checked in and wasn´t offered this, as I may have taken it!! As we were boarding some people were being taken to one side, but no one was told what was going on. We sat on the plane the pilot announced we were going to fly via Recife. This is way up in the north about 1652miles frm Sao Paulo. Still not having a clue what was going on, we continued to sit on the plane. I earwigged on the girl´s conversation next to me and found out about the plane situation. We were going to fly via Recife to either change planes or change staff. I also found out that there were 2 spare seats, so the plane size was ok. After sitting for longer and it being half an hour past our alloted time. They then announced that they needed 3 volunteers to get off the flight. After more faffing and it sorted itself out. However by this time it was an hour past our slot and they cancelled the flight.

Cue lots of very unhappy people. We all got off the plane and went back through immigration and were at baggage claim. There were whispers of coachs waiting outside to take us to hotels but again no proper information. Then they wouldn´t give us our bags back as they said we would be using the same plane when we probably flew tomorrow. Nobody seemed to know anything, not even the staff.


Fortunately 2 hours after we should have flown they announced that we were going to fly that night and we all bundled onto the plane.

By this point I was so tired and happy to actually be on my way, I fell alseep, woke up later and nearly fainted. I am not sure if I was too hot or tired but there was something going on!


We finally arrived in Sao Paulo at 9.25am I should have arrived at 6.05am but I thought I would still have enough time to get my next flight at 11.55. I got in baggage claim and waited for my bags... and waited......and waited.... and waited..... for an hour. It was now 10.45am, no bags and still hadn´t checked in for my other flight. I kept asking people if more bags were coming out and was told to wait. Finally when there were 4 people left, they realised that our luggage had been lost. After more faffing and form filling and I was finially escorted through customs when I ran round like a headless chicken trying to figure out where to check in. It was now 11.15 and I was sure that check in had closed.


Eventually I  found the right desk and burst in tears and kept saying ´´I have missed check in´. A rather bemused girl asked me where I was going and if I had any luggague, cue more tears as I said it had been lost. ´TAM?´ she said sympathetically (Seems it must be  regualt occurence!), gave me boardng card, and pointed me in the right direction. Ran through security and surprise surprise actually mananged to make the flight!!!


The flight to Joinville was only about an hour wher I managed to squeeze myself into the tiny toilet and at least brush my teeth for the first time in over a day. 


We spoke to rep at Joinville airport who told me my bags were in Sao Paulo and would probably be delivered today on the next flight at around 5. After calling them again later that night. We were told that actually my bags were in London and never made it on the flight!!!! and should probably come in tomorrow.
After a few more phone calls, my bags finally turned up on Saturday evening. Accompanied by a reciept confirming my bags had been recieved on the 6th Ocotber..... funny that I was still in the UK and hadn´t even packed then!!


What I found really frustrating about the whole flight was the lack of communication and information about anything. Even when they did give info in London, it was all in Portuguese so half of us never knew what was going on. When we were given information, most of the time it was wrong. TAM sort yourself out!!!

Happier post to come next time!

Back to Brazil

After 7 months away from Brazil, I am heading back for just under 3 months.
I will be in Brazil for Christmas and New year! Looking forward to be in a sunny climate instead of the snow over Christmas... but will it be the same?

I'll keep you updated!!

So the destination of choice was Winchester via the super cheap Megabus to see Rose and Keith.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the few days consisted of going to Winchester Cathedral.Walking round AlresfordWatching the alpacas in the back garden

and just general eating, drinking and relaxing in the garden!

Again, it has been a while...

I met up with (nearly) all of my old uni friends. It was so god to catch up with them all, for Emily and I it had been over 5 years since we last saw each other!Then, it was a colleague's Wedding, much fun and dancing was had.Last week Sian came up we mostly ate, went to Betty's Tea room. shopped, ate some more, chatted, ate some more and .. oh ate some more!
Tomorrow I am off to Party in the Park and just found out I have no students so have next week off..... oh the possibilities!!

It's been a long time, as nothing really has been happening. I have just been working lots!!
I have been working at the pub, teaching at the school, teaching private lessons and learning Portuguese.

All of my Arabic housewives have left for the summer, so we have lots of new students. At the moment I am teaching a weightlifter from Spain, a 16 year old boy and his Dad and another Saudi boy with the biggest afro ever. They dynamics in in the class are interesting to say the least!! It is nice to have a mix of langauges and students after having the same students for 14 weeks.

This month is going to be a busy one. Last weekend I went to see Footloose at The Grand Theatre, which was really good. This weekend, a Uni reunion, then a colleagues wedding, then another friend is coming up and then a possible visit from a friend from NYC.

However more importantly, I have booked a flight back to Brazil in October for about 3 months. I am super excited to spend Christmas and New Year at the beach and in the sun! :D

It's been 3 weeks since my last post and I feel under pressure to write something....
But really nothing exciting has been happening.
I have just been trying to get back into a routine - which has been hard with all the bank holidays and long weekends.
The weather has been really nice and Katy and I have been checking out all the local beer gardens and just generally enjoying ourselves!!

I arrived in Rio yesterday and am staying with a friend in Jardim Botânico.

She has a really nice apartment and is it nice to stay with her and her family and get a real perspective of Rio, not the touristy version.

Today we went to see Christ the Redeemer, unfortunately it was really cloudy, so I didn't get a view of the city but I did manage to get some good photos of the Christ.

After we had a quick walk around Parque Lage and Escola de Artes Visuais de Parque Lage

We then hung out in Leblon, did some window shopping and walked along the beach, while Grace's son has basketball practice.

Finally we had a sunny day, so we walked to the zoo/botanical park. There wasn´t that much there but it was better than sitting at home!!

One thing I had forgotton about but love about Brazil is the abilty to have random parties or gatherings at a moments notice. On Saturday, I went to an ex-collegue´s boyfriend´s Birthday, ate lots of fresh mussels, practised lots of portuguese and drank lots of tequlia.

Last night we had an impromptu dinner at a friend´s house. I love that. To see my friends in the UK, we have to organise it at least a few weeks in advance and plan everything, organise lifts, if people are staying over. Here in Brazil, it just happens and nobody stresses about any of it!

On Saturday, we have been invited to another ex-collegue´s boyfriend´s mum´s Formatura or Graduation. They are a HUGE deal here, so it should be exciting to experience it.

Today I went to a Formatura of an ex collegue´s boyfriend´s mum!

A formature is basically a graduation but on a huuuuuuuge scale. This blog sort of describes the madness involved.

This one was at Joinville Square Gardens. There had been other parties he night before and this was the final one. Basically it was just another excuse to drink and dance. It was a big hall with seperate tables for each student.

All the student´s names were announced and the the student danced with their husband or wife, then children, then we all go to dance!

Lots of wigs, glasses and feather boas were produced and we all dressed up as well.

Chuva, Chuva, Chuva!!

It´s been raining - A LOT. Downtown is flooded but some how yesterday we didn´t have any water...!

I spent Carnaval in Portobello, at a friend's beach house a beach town about 2 hours drive from Joinville.

I had toyed with the idea of going to Salvador for Carnaval but didn't think I was up for the crowds, sweaty bodies and groping that would happen.

This video gives you an idea of it all.



It was a pretty chilled affair with lots of drinking, lying on the beach and eating.

The first night we went to Bombinha's and there was a parade and a beach party.


The weather was pretty good, as in Joinville at the moment, all it seems to do is rain!

Yesterday it was Joinville's 160th Birthday and there was a parade and an exhibition centre. I managed to get a rose for being a woman, a recycled bag and a coconut plant!
However it began to chuck it down again, so we only saw part of the parade.

Brassssil!

I finally made it to Brazil. After about 3 days of travelling!

I flew to London on Monday evening and was picked up by my wonderful friend and spent the night at hers, as opposed to 18 hours sitting in Heathrow. I then went from London to Texas about 10 hours. Then Texas to Rio - another 10 hours. Then Rio to Sao Paulo - about an hour, then Sao Paulo to Joinville - about 45 minutes!!!

Everything went really well, no missed or delayed flights, no weirdos sitting next to me. And I had 2 seats to myself on every flight.

On Saturday I attended my first Brazilian wedding!

It was in the evening, which I was surprised at. They don´t have bridesmaids and best men but Godparents who walk down the aisle before the bride. Before Lila entered the church there was a fanfare, then the doors were flung open and she walked in. Obviously I did not understand much of the service. The Vicar gave a speech and then they exchanged vows and that was it.

Throughout the whole service, there were wedding planners running round with head sets, 2 video cameras and about 3 photographers!!

The reception was at the local tennis club and if your name wasn´t on the list, you weren´t allowed in!

All the way up the stairs to the room, there were huge posters and photos of the couple. The reception was a buffet and you sat where ever you wanted.

When the couple entered the room, there were fireworks and they gave a short speech. There was a slide show of photos and then a cheesey spoof music video they had done.

Then there was lots of drinking and dancing, a fire show, a cocktail bar, a band, a man in drag, the catching of the bouquet for women, the catching of a bottle of whiskey for the men!

I got home about 6am with a feather boa, framed picture of the couple, 2 hawian leis, some cake and the flower table setting!!

Well, it's been a while...

I had a slight change of plans. I was going to go and teach in Mexico but decided it wasn't the right choice . For the past 2 months I have been living in Leeds, teaching Arabic housewives, living with 2 of my great friends, catching up on lots of missed time with other friends, working in a pub and missing Brazil.

I managed to change my ticket to Mexico to... Brazil! So in 16 days (not that I am counting!) I am heading back to Brazil for 5 weeks, to be part of a Brazilian wedding, actually try and learn Portuguese and of course see some of my favourite Brazilians!

So on Saturday I had my leaving party... not my goodbye party, as I am hoping I will be back, more a see you in a bit party.
I have been extremely fortunate here and made a great circle of friends. The party was really no different from our normal kitchen parties that seem to happen, except I had all my favourite Joinvillians together at the same time.
I was presented with a bottle of top quality Cachaça off my brother from another mother who was born on the same day, month and year as me!Lots of lovely words were said, that gave me a very big head, made me cry, and made me determined to return.

5 years on, I finally return to Salvador

After 5 years I finally made it back to Salvador.

I was actually really nervous about going back for several reasons.

One was when I have travelled here I have been with Monica who speaks fluent Portuguese, so I was slightly concerned about my shameful and appalling lack of Portuguese.

Also I was leaving my safe comfortable bubble of European Brazil and heading up north which is much poorer and therefore more crime and favellas. I would be travelling alone and with out the safety net theoretically of CCS like last time. (Obviously anyone there would be there to help me if I needed it) But it was me that had to get my self to and from the airport and over to see frutos.

The main reason for my anxiousness was last time I was in Salvador, it was amazing, incredible and a life changing experience. After 5 years I was concerned I was just seeing it through rose tinted glasses or that something would happen to make me hate the place, or that it was as amazing as I remembered.

Turns out I was wrong. On all counts.

I managed to get myself all the way from Joinville to Curitiba, to Curitiba airport, to Sao Paulo, to Salvador, from the airport to the hostel, all by myself, with my baaad Portuguese, without being mugged or getting lost. Good start!

I got to my hostel - Che Lagarto about 7.30, called Jonas, my Capoeira teacher from 5 years ago and we headed into Pelourinho. It hadn’t really changed and it was really strange to be back there after all these years.

On Monday I headed over to the CCS house to see the staff that had played such a huge part in my experience last time. They had moved to a different house that was roughly in the same neighbourhood. So armed with my google map I set off several hours earlier as I knew I would get lost. I actually ended up finding the old house – or at least where it used to be. It had been knocked down and huge apartments had been built there.

I got to the house and Vini was picking up the volunteers from Placement. Vivienne was there and Lolo the cleaner. I got the biggggggest hugs off Lulu and she gave me a tour of the massive house, that can take up to 45 volunteers. The volunteers came back and I caught up with Vini and had lunch with them. Also much to my surprise I knew 2 of the volunteers!! Judy and her husband! Judy used to work in the Canada office and all of us did the Guatemala program and I travelled with them up to Quezeltanango!!

On Tuesday I decided to head to Frutos, again I was pretty nervous about going. I would not be being chauffeured around by CCS and would have to get a bus into one of the favellas. I had spoken to the guys at the hostel and their reaction when I told them where I was needed to get off the bus didn’t fill me with confidence! I ended up getting the bus to Bonfim Church and then got a taxi to Frutos.

The neighbourhood Frutos is in

I completely recognised the place and was let in by the guard. He obviously knew I was a volunteer – some white girl turning up - and he showed me to the classrooms where the CCS volunteers were. I tried to explain that I was an old volunteer and wanted say hi to Sara – who I had been in contact with. I felt like a bit of a fraud and hoped they didn’t think I was just some random walking in off the street. He then showed me to the class room with the 1 and 3 year olds. I literally walked into the classroom and within 2 seconds had a child wrapped around each leg shouting ‘Tia, Tia’. And my heart completely melted. I spent the next few hours being smothered in hugs, kissing as many kids as I could, giving hundreds of cuddles and pinching myself to make sure it wasn’t a dream. The kids here are adorable and very very stark contrast to the kids I have been teaching in the south.

After playing with the kids, it was lunch time, so I was helping feed them. I had seen the teacher who was in my class years ago, she was the cook now but I hadn’t said hello. I really didn’t think she would remember me after 5 years and goodness knows how many volunteers, I hadn’t said anything. I was feeding the kids and she walked past me and said hello, then did a double take, squealed Jossee and gave me the biggest hug ever. I was so so surprised. She completely remembered me I honestly couldn’t believe it. I felt so proud that I must have made some small difference last time for her to have remembered me.

By this time Sara had arrived back and we sort of chatted in my baaaad Portuguese. I kept saying how surprised I was to be remembered and she kept telling me what a special volunteer I was and I would always be in her heart. (I bet she says that to all the volunteers but still!)

Frutos De Maes had recently closed because of admin problems. Tia Mira set up the place as a family business to help out people, and it grew and grew. When I was there 5 years ago here were about 300 kids. As amazing as the place is Tia Mira didn’t have the business skills – that’s what it is – a business. Donations stopped coming in and Tia Mira became ill. Fortunately an Italian priest has stepped in and is providing funding for the next 2 years. After this they should be sustainable, and with new administration it is back open. There are only about 85 children there now but hopefully it will flourish again.

I am working with them to create a website for them to help attract sponsors and funding. So quick plug here. It is coming up to Christmas, so how about spending a little less this year on gifts that we really don’t need and donate to Frutos De Maes instead. I will update more later.

The AMAZING, wonderful, hard working staff at CCS Brazil.

I headed to the CCS house again as Grace was supposed to be over from Rio. Her and Vini had just left for lunch. I got some lunch and chatted with the volunteers until they arrived. It was so good to see Grace. We went for ice cream and had a fantastic talk about Brazil, how I felt the first time round, how I felt now, what I had done since Brazil, everything, the impact of the volunteers. Grace is an amazing woman and I feel honoured to have her a as a friend. I couldn’t believe that after 5 years I was sitting there with her. Her and Vini and the rest of the staff do such a fantastic job. It is too hard to describe, unless you have done a CCS program, you just don’t understand. This program literally changed my life. I know it sounds corny but, I feel as if the program in Brazil was the catalyst for how my life turned out.

The rest of my time I spent catching up with friends, I went to the São Joaquin open market. It is a public market abut 15 minutes outside the city where all the locals shop. I somehow managed to end up in the meat part. I was hoping to avoid it as last time it was not a great experience. After a lot of gagging, flies, livers, stomachs and intestines I made it out the other side and did some shopping. I love this market as it really feels like Brazil, the smells – some good some bad, the amazing array of fruit and the fact you don’t have people hassling you like in the tourist areas. I was also super proud of myself for finding it and getting the bus there by myself again! Have a look at some of the pictures of it here.

Porta da Farol at night

So once again an amazing trip to Salvador to catch up with some inspiring and wonderful people. Hopefully it won’t be so long next time.

flowers, farms and fun!

It was another long weekend instead of travelling though, I stayed in Joinville.

Saturday night, I went to a very civilised and grown up dinner for a friend's Birthday. This then led us to another friend's house where some Wii was played, when he fell asleep, we went to another friends house to play the PSP version of Wii, at 6am when he wanted to go to sleep, we headed to Adriano's for some food, which was packed full of people for 6am on a Sunday morning!!

On Sunday I went to an Orchid Festival at Expoville which had some really beautiful flowers and orchids.
Sunday evening, we headed over to a friend's farm. It was only about a 30 minute drive and was soo cute!! There was a huge plot of land with a 2 small lakes, horses, chickens, a well. The house just looked like a barn, but inside it was so cute and farm housey!

This is my last week at school.... not quite sure how I feel, I really don't want to leave Brazil, but I don't think the school is the best fit for me!!

Random things I have observed while in Brazil...

Brazilians like cold beer - I mean REALLY cold beer. If they have half a can left which is slightly warm, they will throw it away rather than drink it. I have been involved in many discussion about ale and beer and why English people drink warm beer.

Brazilian couples are not shy. As a stiff upper lipped British person, I am not used to couples kissing (very passionately!) in restaurants, buses, bars, supermarket lines, on the street, in the car, at the park, outside the bathroom etc. etc.

Brazilians when leaving their rubbish out to be collected they have these:Which if you think about it make sense. It is off the floor so it doesn't attract animals. However if it's really heavy and you catch it on the side when you are struggling to lift it up and rotten rubbish explodes onto you.. not so good.

In the bikini department.. the smaller the better, for men and women. Brazilian beaches are not for the fainthearted. I was going to post a picture, but I didn't want to offend any stiff upper lipped British people.

Brazilians need no excuse for a party or a day off. Since being here I have had about 1 long weekend a month for Saint's day, Independence day, Proclamation of the Republic day and other random things. Also if the day lands on a Tuesday? Do we work on the Monday - heck no!! Holiday on a Wednesday? Why not just have Monday and Tuesday off!

I am sure there are some other things... but I can't think of them now.....

Just remembered!!
Cocktail sticks! Normally if there are nibbles on the table, pieces of cheeses, chips anything, they are always accompanied by.. cocktails sticks!! not forks, Brazilians tend not to use their fingers but cocktail sticks!!

Well, this had been the week to book flights!!
I have my flight all organised for Mexico, the next new and exciting adventure.
My flight back to the UK is booked. I finish school on the 19th November and fly out of Brazil on the 3rd December.

During the 2 weeks I have to do nothing I am FINALLY after 5 years heading back to Salvador, where I did my first CCS program and the catalyst for how my life so far turned out! I am so excited to get back there and visit my old placement. I have been in touch with them on and off for the past 5 years and am curious to see how much it has changed and if the kids from my class are still there!



It still hasn't hit me that I will be leaving Brazil. I have a great circle of friends here, school can be crazy but I have other distractions to make it bearable.
Random parties always seem to happen.

BBQ's and Dinner invites are abundant.

Long holiday weekends seem to be every month. But on to the next adventure... and then maybe I will settle down...... maybe!

Florianópolis

It was another long weekend in Brazil - it was All Souls Day, so we headed to Florianópolis for the a few days. It is only about 2 hours on the bus and we left Saturday morning. It was much nicer to have a 2 hour journey rather than 12 hours!!

We stayed at a really nice hostel called the Backpackers Sunset, highly recommend it!
Floripa has 42 beaches so as you can guess we spent 90% of the time on the beach!
We basically just ate, relaxed, sunbathed and drank for 3 days! It was much needed!!