I’ve heard it was very cold in Ottawa this week. Winter weather plus the whole pandemic thing still going on and new restrictions are making life complicated and not exactly fun.
I get it, I’m annoying. I’m posting pictures of the three of us exploring amazing beaches, I seem to be living in my bikini, and I sound pretty relaxed.
But obviously, this is the “edited” version of life. I’m not Photoshopping pictures or trying to look cool, I’d just rather share happy moments. I’ll spare you the many pictures of Mark sulking (“Smiling isn’t cool,” apparently) or the many hours spent trying to figure out where to go and when because exploring the world requires tedious prep work.
Yes, I’m happy to be travelling. But it’s probably time to share a few of these less glamorous moments…
It does rain in Brazil and yes, it can get… colder
There’s a reason why Brazil is so green and why strange mini-trees grow on other giant, mysterious trees—it rains often and it can rain a lot.
Last Sunday, we drove to Balneário Camboriú because it was too chilly and too rainy for any of the beaches on Santa Catarina Island. Balneário Camboriú is a popular summer destination among South Americans, but we’ve always found it pretty weird because 1) nobody knows for sure what the city’s name means 2) the skyline and the many skyscrapers make me feel like I’m in Hong Kong 3) it’s a “replica” of Rio de Janeiro with a Cristo Redentor (the local version lit up at night!) and Avenida Atlântica like the avenue along Copacabana. It’s… both a somewhat tacky and picturesque place.
Anyway, it was raining harder in Balneário Camboriú than in Florianópolis, so bad idea. We ended up getting soaked and I was cold.
It rained the following day in Florianópolis as well and it was pouring when we arrived in São Paulo on Wednesday. Trust me, when it rains in Brazil, the 10 reais guarda chuva (umbrella) you’ll buy from a street vendor isn’t going to help much.
COVID test, yes, even in Brazil…
“Aren’t you supposed to study for like 10 years before doing COVID tests?”
“I did graduate from university! Okay, I studied Chinese, not medicine… but look, these antigen tests are made in China, I’m sure my degree is going to help!”
In Ingleses, Mark got what we call a “stomach booboo” with the definitely not glamorous symptoms you can imagine. He was feeling fine the following day and we weren’t sick, but since Feng had brought the three rapid screening tests Mark’s school had handed out before Christmas, I decided to test him, just in case.
He was negative and he was feeling fine 24 hours later—I figured Canasvieras beach water quality wasn’t great and he was probably overtired at this stage of the trip.
Ever heard of “cooking, the extreme edition”?
I open the bedroom door carefully because it squeaks.
Wait. It doesn’t squeak.
Oh, right, the squeaky hinge was at the other place—this door opens smoothly but it doesn’t close well.
You know how each place has a few quirks? Like a special way to get the hot water running, to open the sleeper sofa, to turn appliances on and off, etc. “Oh, there’s a trick to it!” Well, when you travel, you have to learn fast and find the never-mentioned trick.
“Is the shower okay?” “How did you do for the stove?” “How did you manage to set the temperature?” These are common questions Feng and I ask each other—we’re not 18-year-old kids home alone for the first time, it’s just that we know every place will have something not working or puzzling. The shower flooded in Bombinhas, the upstairs apartment leaked water in Florianópolis, the “quick wash” cycle took hours in Ingleses… and the list goes on. No big deal, we can adapt.
Cooking can be tricky, though. Every few days, I’m making dinner in a completely different kitchen—different cookware (giant strainer in Inglese, great frying pan in Florianópolis, heavy-bottomed pots, etc.), different stoves, different layouts… It’s fun but I’m never quite sure how good my food will be because cooking time has to be adjusted.
This is the masochist part of travelling, bumming around, borrowing apartments, cars, cities for a day or a week and figuring them out.
See? It’s not just beaches and blue sky…
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I love this share, thank you ! I’m not always good at adjusting, I’m afraid of insects, animals in general when they are not supposed to be inside, like Moises, I have a hard time when flats are dirty, etc. It’s fun for me to see it through your eyes too but realize you adapt. Btw, B. doesn’t want that we test her anymore so she does it by herself. We check her moves but when we try to do it ourselves, she once became a bit crazy and dangerous for herself regarding the fact she had a long stick in her nose lol. Mark seems calmer !
Mice sorry
I’m really, really picky on cleanliness. I can put up with anything but a dirty place. Insects… well, ants and giant coakroaches (OUTSIDE! Not inside!) are common in tropical countries. Mices… not so much. Saw plenty of rats in Buenos Aires, rarely in Brazil.
How many times/how often does she get tested? Mark’s tests were pretty much all travel-related, although I suspect new school measures will mean more tests now…
Can you imagine doing the test to a 3 year old Mark ?
Actually, yes. Would have worked with Mark I think. He can be amazingly still for a kid who moves all the time. That said, I get your point, testing kids is tough. I can’t believe how many tests kids have to do in France for instance with the new school procedures. Sounds crazy.
While Jean-Mich’¹ is partying in Ibiza.
¹: the minister of education. The contempt he has for teachers is obnoxious.
I thought it was a joke when I read the headline in Le Monde. But then, boozy parties in the UK as well, so apparently rules apply to *other* people, right?
Love it 🙂
When my mom and I stayed at an Airbnb in Paris. Few years ago, it took us a day or two to figure out how to use the stove. And we didn’t even try the dishwasher because the owner had forgotten to run it, so there were dirty dishes inside. Other than that we liked the apartment. But yeah, every apartment is different and there’s always some quirk or mishap!
I wouldn’t even know how to use a dishwasher! This is funny, I’ve just realized I’ve never used one. I’m a washing machine expert but I’ve never felt the need for a dishwasher… and now I’m wondering if they are common in France. Can’t remember seeing any at my friends’ and relatives.