Our winter 2016 trip to South America.
Don’t Dream, It’s Over
“But… why Canada?” “Because that’s where we live?” Oh, kiddo… I don’t want to go home either. But that’s life.
Browsing: Nas Ruas de América do Sul
People of Rio: The City Where Several Worlds Cross Paths
My final verdict on Brazil? As a backpacker, I love the country. But I don’t think I would live here.
Jesus, This Ain’t Easy: Cristo Redentor
Christ, this was harder than it should have been! Guess what: Jesus is a popular dude. Ah. Who would have known.
Flavours of Brazil
I developed an addiction to pão de queijo, these little balls of tapioca with cheese.
Yesterday and Tomorrow in Rio Centro
We used to avoid Rio Centro because it was dodgy and not so safe. It still is in a way—I wouldn’t wander around in the streets after dark—but Rio de Janeiro feels safer and the downtown area is undergoing major renovation and improvements for the upcoming Olympics.
Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches
If you want to go to Copacabana beach, don’t follow the Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana. Brazilian logic.
Rio de Janeiro: The Pão de Açúcar
Rio de Janeiro is a picturesque city. And this is an understatement.
Rio, Here We Come!
The taxi drove us downtown and we passed favelas and the sambodromo.
Ilha de Santa Catarina: Praia dos Ingleses
“So after the beach we go more beach?” Yes, Mark. That’s the concept. Hey, we…
Ilha de Santa Catarina: Praia do Campeche and Praia da Armação
After crowded Praia de Canasvieiras, we went into the wild.
Ilha de Santa Catarina: Praia de Canasvieiras
The beach was packed. Every centimeter of the narrow strip of sand was occupied. It could have been awful, but it felt awesome because of the great atmosphere.
Ilha de Santa Catarina: Praia do Moçambique
I couldn’t resist. I bought the Brazilian beach uniform: a new bikini, the Brazilian kind with a true thong back. It doesn’t get any tinier.
Ilha de Santa Catarina: Praia Mole
Praia Mole, a fairly small stretch of sand of about one kilometer long. Blue sky, waves, yellow Cerveja Skol plastic tables and chairs and a crowd of people drinking, swimming, walking around, eating and having fun.
Florianópolis, the Party is Over
Again, we stepped onto a new movie set. Brazil, this time. I have to “obrigada” people again, we need to remember that businesses close early, that you buy essential at the ubiquitous gas stations instead of heading to the convenience store, the Brazilian cities are hilly…
From La Boca to Brazil
The last night in Buenos Aires was less relaxing than I would have thought—it was…
Late Night in Buenos Aires
In one swift motion, I dropped off the bag inside the bin and jumped back onto the sidewalk.
Where Do You Go in Buenos Aires When You’ve Been Everywhere?
I can’t claim I’ve been everywhere but I think we visited all the main attractions and walked in every barrio. Hell, I can even find my way without a map.
Plaza de Mayo: the Hub of Political Life in Argentina
Plaza de Mayo is not your usual boring plaza featuring a statue of a dude on a horse: it is a hub of political life.
A Sunday in Buenos Aires
We are standing at the entrance of the famous Cementerio de la Recoleta, a picturesque yet slightly creepy landmark that is famous for containing the graves of, among other notable people, Eva Perón and presidents of Argentina.
Go East: Back to Argentina
Traveling is like stumbling on a new movie set every few days, except that you weren’t given the script and you aren’t sure what part you’re playing.
Late Night in Santiago
The Plaza is packed, as usual. Kids bath in the fountain (no Mark, you can’t, sorry), run around, climb on the Statue of Pedro de Valdivia. Adult play chess or listen to the very loud preachers.
The Walls of Santiago and 10 Random Thoughts
Here are my random thoughts on Santiago. No, I didn’t write them on the walls.
Santiago and The Hot Dog Mystery
Chile’s fast food choice is the perrito caliente with a mound of different condiments.
The Zoológico Nacional de Chile (Dragons Not Included)
The tiger yawned and turned his head before going back to sleep, dreaming of the great comida por kilo buffet he could have if only the kids weren’t outside the cage.