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Warren's Weasely World Tour 2006-2007
Brazilia here we are. We are now in our last country now and its flying by. Less than three weeks to go. The last week has been brilliant and we have been well looked after by some super Brazilian hospitality. For food lovers, this is the article for you.
We left uruguay just over a week ago for another, yes another overnight 12 hour bus journey to Porto Alegre, where we would be greeted by Aurelio (Ray or Raymondo is his nickname), who Tom met during his stay in Italy over Easter. The journey was without question the best yet. We literally had the bottom part to ourselves, full reclining seats, lots of snacks, a waiter and some English TV to watch. 12 hours flew by and before we knew it we were in the city. Ray greeted us there and drove us to his apartment, which is right by the University where he is studying.
We got a tour around his University and the sports hall, where you immediately sense how big football is in this country. Then he took us for our first of many buffets we would have this week. Brazilians pretty much only eat buffets. Its greeeaaaat. Pasta, salad, meat, rissottos, chinese food, sushi and desserts were all in this one. And it cost about 4 pound. A great start to our Brazilian cuisine. Later on that day we went for a pizza meal and met some of his family and friends. We immediatelty felt welcomed into this amazing country.
The next day I had an early start. I decided to join Ray in his boxing class, while Tom and Lee had a lie in. I was thinking I might just have a little go on a punching bag. I was very much mistaken. 400 sit ups into the class and I was about ready to collapse. Its been a week since then and I can still feel pains in my stomach. I also did not realise how much effort is involved in skipping. I then got some one on one instruction from the teacher on some of the basics of boxing ie movement, and a few lethal combinations of punches. Its a lot more difficult than you may think, coupled with the fact that my instructor couldnt speak a word of English and I certainly cant speak Portuguese. Anyway, it was a fun lesson and I got to see the instructor kick someones ass, with just one hand, at the end. Brazilian boxing experience ticked off. We then spent the rest of the day in the city centre, visisting a couple of museums and chilling out at the park, while Ray went to some of his classes. On the evening, Raymondo treated us to another unbelievable buffet. This one was a meat speciality. The waiters come round with massive skewers of meat and slice bits off when you want. Every type of meat you can wish for is offered and continuously brought around the tables. The beef also has three layers for rare, medium and well done tastes. You even get a card that you have on the table that says yes please or no thanks, because they come around literally every minute with a new batch and you just end up saying yes to everything. Its probably the best meat buffet I have ever had. At one point I needed a dessert stop as the meat sweats were getting to me.Â
Onto Wednesday. Today was a big day in the city. Gremio, the football team, were playing in the Copa Libertadores 2nd round for a place in quarter final. They were one nil down from the first leg and were playing Sao Paulo at home that evening. The city felt electric today, full of the Blue and black shirts of Gremio. Unfortunatley we couldnt get tickets for the game so we would be watching the game in a bar. In the afternoon we went to one of Ray's mates apartments for some drinks and to watch the Chelsea Man United premiership game. But the focus tonight was on the Brazilian cup game. You could sense that all the lads there were very excited. Most of them had tickets for the game and all had some sort of Gremio clothing on. All of us were drinking Caipirinhas, a traditional Brazilian drink made of Vodka/whiskey, lime juice, sugar and ice. This has become a firm favourite since our arrival in Brazil. Later on we headed to the bar for the game after one of the biggest burgers in the world. We had know idea what to expect.
Into the game, and the bar was rammed, especially for a 2nd round cup game anyway. The locals were all very vocal and all wearing their Gremio shirts. They all seemed pretty confident about turning around the one nil defecit. Gremio scored in the first half to level the tie and the locals went mad. In the second half they got the second they needed to win and they went crazy, even we did, caught up in the atmosphere. The game ended 2 nil and Gremio went through to the quarter finals. The scenes outside were completely unbelievable. Everyone left the bar and went onto the street. People were surrounding all the cars on the streets, horns were beeping, flags waving, people dancing. This lasted for hours. And all for just reaching the quarter finals. We even joined in the celebration because the euphoria was catching. It was what I imagine winning a cup final to be like. God knows what it would be like if they won the thing. Very passionate these Brazilians are. We ended the night back at the apartment, where Lee passed out after one too many Caipirinhas (see photos). A great night out.
The next morning and afternoon we spent nursing hangovers. Another big night was planned for tonight. Ray and some of his friends were taking us to the well known Carmens club. One of the best places in South Brazil. One of Ronaldinhos favourite places Im told. He once paid everyone 500 pound each to leave so he and his friends could have the place to themselves. Ill leave it to your imagination what type of place it is. It was a good laugh.
Another morning feeling rough. Today Ray would be taking us to Passo Fundo to stay the weekend with his family. It was a 4 hour drive to get there. We were warmly greeted by his mum, dad and Rays brother. They live in the city in a secluded area with 5 other houses, all relatives. A family estate. His parents looked after us extremely well. We had some delicious meals, which included another all you can eat barbeque buffet on the sunday afternoon. On the saturday afternoon we played football with the Brazilians, which was brilliant. One for the CV I think. That night we headed out with Ray's friends. We left about 1am and returned at 7.30am. The crazy thing is that after the club, about 6am, we went to a bar, ate a meal and then left as the sun was coming up. Very weird. The whole week with Ray and his family was fantastic. We got a great insight into Brazilian people and family life. They are a very warm and welcoming nation and will go out of there way to make sure you enjoy your time with them. There way of life isnt to different to ours either. They love football, love partying and they have barbeques on a sunday.Â
It was sad leaving the Raymondo family as it was like being at home again. We also had another 12 hour over night journey to Foz do Iguaca to look forward to. We are here primarily for the Iguazu falls, which fall right on the border of Brazil and Argentina, so you can visit them from either side. As we were in Brazil we decided to visit them from this side. They are absolutely awesome. I would go as far to say they are probably the best in the world. Apparently only rivalled by Victoria falls in Africa.  Forget the well known Niagra falls, which is like a little droplet of water compared to these bad boys. Take a look at them here if you like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguazu_Falls. Pretty awesome hey. Everywhere you look you can see at least one rainbow amongst the falls. At one point we could almost see a full circular rainbow. No treasure chests though. We could definately do with one of those. There was one bad thing though. Whilst eating my sandwhich, some kind of crazy anteater type animal jumped up on the table and took my sandwich away. Disappointment city.
Anyway, tommorow we are up at 5 oclock for a 12 hour (I just love em) journey to Campo Grande. We will stay here for one night and then head to Bonito (meaning beautiful). Bill Gates once went there and pretty much hired out the whole place for himself so it must be impressive. Then we head back to Campo Grande, where we will do the Pantenal (wetlands) camping experience. On sunday 27th we have a flight booked to Sao Paulo and we will leave immediately from there to get to our FINAL DESTINATION, Rio de Janeiro, where we will spend our last week.
Tears streaming down my face now.
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