Photo and story by Dennis Hensley
Wednesday, February 6 - Los Angeles, CA
On my last day in Florianopolis, my Brazilian escort Eduardo accompanied me to a discount store to buy some of the mega-popular Havaianas sandals to take home for gifts. Cheap and fun.
Later, we met up with our local guides, Marta and Lesley, a delightful and in-the-know lesbian couple who run their own Southern Brazil travel outfit Brazil Eco Journeys. Last night, they reported, they had come across six guys running down the road naked in honor of Carnival.
"They were young, fit and hot," Lesley gushed. "Too bad you missed it." Yeah, it is too bad.
Riding downtown, we passed a wall that had "Bush Assassino" painted on it in graffiti. I asked if it meant "Assassinate Bush," and Eduardo said it means "Bush is a killer." Close enough. The anti-Bush, anti-American sentiment is palpable here and it's disheartening to feel shame about your homeland.
At the Box 32 Atelie in the bustling Mercado Publica, I sampled my last bit of Brazilian cuisine, shrimp and crab pastels, which are like empanadas. Delicious.
On my way to the airport, I grabbed one last serving of my favorite Brazilian treat. No, not the guys in square-cuts at the gay beach Praia Mole -- though they were certainly tasty. I'm talking about Caldo De Cana, a sweet, creamy drink made right in front of you from sugar cane. Before gulping it down, I toasted my most excellent adventure in Brazil and my hopes for returning sometime soon.
i'm planning on going to brazil in october. how did you get an escort? did you go through an agency? where to stay cheap, etc. thanks
doni
backhandslice69@hotmail.com
Posted by: doni | February 13, 2008 at 10:53 PM
It's my 7th time here in Rio and I love it! I come every year for a couple months. I've met the greatest friends, and HATE when I leave to go back home to NY every year. We rent an apartment from www.inhouse.com.br and it always works out great! I figured out that the difference between the people here and in America, is that people here smile and talk to you, (even a stranger in the grocery store)! Carnaval is MADNESS, and I live for it! I march with Vila Isabel, and we won two years ago! Please come! It's way more safe over the years, (kind of like NYC after Giulianni but without Disney)!
Posted by: Tim Hurley | February 14, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Hi there
I just read your adveture stories about Floripa, linked from Martha and Lesley website (they are also my friends)... Good reading... ì enjoyed the way you write. For the ones coming to Floripa it is possible to have a list of things to do in here at the website I keep with a friend (http://www.aquirola.com.br/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=822&Itemid=103)
Roney G. Pereira
Florianópolis SC
Brazil
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