On the Road to Find Out

I’ve just woken up. Well, that’s kind of a lie. I woke up a while ago wretching from the lack of any liquid in my body, scrambled around in front of me for loose change, dived out the house, ran to a cashpoint, found the cashpoint wasn’t working, ran back to the house, got more bank cards, returned to bank, cashpoint still wasn’t working, told by the attendant that cashpoint wasn’t working, found another cashpoint, got cash, bought drink, felt better and then started writing this.

We went to four parties last night. I got home as Glenda set off for work. Friday and Saturday are still to come!

Couchsurfing is king! I am staying with Glenda for my entire week in Rio. Originally I was only going to stay for 3 days but apparently I am ´normal´ so can stay longer. The apartment building, all marble floors and buzzing television sets with occasional whooping mongrels, is situated in Lapa, dead-centre in the middle of Rio. It is the party capital, full of young, trendy natives, whielding over-sized drums, boozy old men trying to get their hands on some ass, of which there is much, and the odd tourist, taking a detour from the stag night paradise of Copacabana. All of this, by the way, is no fun when you´re trying to sleep. I have the keys to the apartment which is good news as my first two days are mostly memorable for my lengthy nap times.

On Wednesday I met Felipe in Niteroi, visited the Contemporary Art Museum (one of the best exhibits I´ve ever been to, all provocative images and abstract cartoons that made me wanna go and watch the Life of Brian. They know how to do surreal in Brazil) and went to his house in Saõ Gonçalo for lunch. The feijaõ e farafa was a delight and should be eaten every day, with some gusto!

Thursday: the sun has got me. At first I though it was joking, but no it really has got me. I think I might be able to get that starring role in Crabman: The Opera after all.

My bed is the one on the right

I feel it’s only right to start this blog by giving some kind of idea of its purpose. There’s a million blogs out there and there surely has to be reason for this one to exist. The trouble is the more I think about a defined existence for this fella here (for it will be a masculine blog) the less clear it becomes. This has led me to only one conclusion, I’m surely on the road to find out. This may or may not involve rediscovery of one’s self via the Bible ala Cat Stevens at the end of his song, but I’m damn sure it should be interested.

At the moment there are only but a few certainties regarding this journey:
1. It will start in Rio
2. I will reach Buenos Aires mid-April
3. I will be mostly sleeping on couches, using the hospitality of the South Americans wherever possible!
4. I will not be using any guide books. I think travelling without guide books can really open you up to new experiences, and forces you to ask people as many questions as possible. Curiosity is king!
5. I will be documenting all this through my blog. However, in addition I am taking my laptop and a microphone around with me. Hopefully I will be able to pick up the sounds of Sudamericano and maybe sing a few tunes too!

Next post will be coming soon!

Russ