A Brazilian... in Brazil???

Sitting in a central Rio apartment with the window open, a nice warm breeze blowing in while salsa softly plays in the background... Yep, I`m in Brazil...

After having to get up before the asscrack of dawn in Vienna yesterday to get a plane to Heathrow then getting another 12-hour plane to Rio, I was BUGGERED by the time I reached my hotel. And kinda drunk and disorientated. But more on that later.

I had little trouble with the early morning airport mission in Vienna, R gave me great instructions over a bottle of wine the night before (such a lovely girl!) and being so central in the city, it took hardly any time to get to the airport (and it was so cheap!!). Except for getting momentarily lost looking for the second train station. Mental note: drunks give shit directions.

The plane ride to Rio was entertaining... can´t remember part of it because I got a little drunk - well I think I can´t remember it because suddenly the plane began to descend - but made lots of friends from Holland, Germany, Italy and England. Some tried to get me to have a drink at Rio airport but waved them off, promising to meet on Copacabana beach later on as my little Brazilian driver carried my bags away. Yep, that is indeed how I roll.

The airport transfer was a godsend. I would not have navigated the 40-odd minute journey into town very well in my state. Tried to speak Spanish a little bit with the driver, he understood a little a bit and returned in Portuguese... I also understand a little. Meh, better than nothing. At least I managed to ask him to crank some tunes on the way there to sing along to. Hey presto, Snoop Dogg, BOB et al...

Had to nip out to the local late-night food joint to get a burger of some description as I was FAMISHED. Came back to eat it at the hotel and it was a kaleidescope of meats... I guess that`s what you get when you point and shoot at the shop counter. Had to buy water as well, after staying in Austria for so long kinda got used to drinking the tap water. Tried it here. Mistake. Heavily chlorinated.

Confirmed to meet my new CS friend F the next morning (after breakfast of course) and rolled into bed about midnight, which equals to a few hours later Austrian time. Buggered. But also excited about the next couple of weeks. Still a bit scared about my money sitch, but I think I´ll manage to charm some poor sucker into giving me a job...

Rio is a bit grimey, as expected, but there is definitely a cool vibe here, and certainly plenty of skin to look at. The girls have brilliantly Brazilian asses, and tight clothes to show them off (I think I will fit in just fine here) and there have been more than a handful of hot guys to stroll past and pretend not to be staring out. But I saw them lookin at me... yeah that´s right.

My hotel - super sweet score from my travel agent fuck-up - is nicer than I thought it would be, the staff speak perfect English and there are lots of tourists wandering around I am sure to make friends with at some stage lounging out on the rooftop pool. Speaking of, I must jet to the beautician to sort myself out. So, in Brazil, is it really called a "Brazilian"???

Last sleep in Eitental

My final night in Eitental. Wow, I can't believe it's finally here!! Not in a bad way, but it has been a whole two months and I've been so looking forward to going to South America, the thought of it just one sleep away makes me all funny in the tummy :)

Today was interesting... I spent a large part of it trying to give L some space as I thougt she was in a shitter of a mood - maybe because of something I did, maybe just fed up in general - but when I brought it up, she said she was gonna ask me the same thing! So then it was all OK.

Regardless of moods - existant or not - I wanted to make sure I did as much as I could today to make the rest of the week easier on L before she also left (for Germany though, not the sunny sands of Sud Amerika!!). And luckily G wasn't around much so we could do things at our own pace - and even fit in a cheeky sauna in the afternoon! My last one... aww...

We had a quick ride, me on Gnom who fought with me momentarily (when he thought he could win) and managed to give me a little blood blister on my Rottweiler dog bite scar. Dammit, I can see that thing is going to be a problem if I'm on any more crazy horses. Worst position ever. Blah.

Had a quick lead-ride around the yard on Sky, the oldest camel in the bunch and also the most comfy, before we put the animals away for the day. Then we got ourselves ready and started to prepare for my farewell dinner. It is interesting when you have a farewell dinner that you also have to completely prepare, cook and clean up after. The life of a helper. Sigh.

L was brilliant, my right arm with everything and totally great when I was stressing we wouldn't be ready in time for everyone's arrival. But it all went swell in the end, I got to practice my Spanish during the meal and everyone loved the poem I wrote, my Helper Handbook I finished for G and L's photo montage (very profresh looking!!). Good times all round. But I am not looking forward to the mountain of dirty glasses awaiting us tomorrow morning...

Speaking of tomorrow morning, I have a lift arranged for Vienna so I am happy. No lugging mi mochilla (backpack) and its 20kg aroung the U-Bahn. Sweet! Although it now means I am leaving earlier than expected and will probably not be able to ride tomorrow. Or wash my hair. Well, I can always do that in Vienna.

Will be sad to leave here, I have grown to like it, but I am ready for some SUN! And a tan... wow, can't remember the last time I had one... But for the record, as excited as I am, I am NOT expecting too much from Rio. Sun, yes, but EVERYONE says it is dodgy and I will be mugged so I am totally expecting it. And I imagine the city itself is dirty, overcrowded (the population of Australia in one city?? Methinkso!!) and full of the wrong types waiting for Carnival... but hey, it's a new adventure and I am ALL up for them!!