Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Once again after another public service position, I went to Rio de Janeiro for an examination on July 25th.

Rio de Janeiro, or just Rio for short, is the most famous Brazilian city... for the best or the worst. The most visited touristic city in the south hemisphere, it has one of the largest parties on the planet (Rio's carnival) and beautiful beaches that contribute for the image of "carnival, soccer and beaches" some people abroad have of Brazil. On the other hand, social inequality led to the also famous "favela" and high crime rates in some areas (especially related to drug traffic).

So, after reaching the city by plane on the 24th and reaching the hotel where I'd stay, I decided to make good use of the nice weather and go to the statue of Christ the Redeemer. One of Rio's main touristic spots and a symbol of the whole country, it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World whose open arms represent a warm welcome to all.


Unfortunately, many other tourists obviously had the same idea. The train that leads to the top was crowded and I had to wait hours until I was finally on the top. Until then the weather changed to foggy. It would be impossible to take panoramic pictures of the city, and even the statue had hidden amid the fog a times. On the bright side, that allowed for unusual pictures of the Christ and some amusement watching all the tourists (myself included) waiting for an instant when the statue would become visible.

The next day was the day of the exam which took good part of the morning and a bit of the afternoon. Since the test was held close to another touristic spot, it would be a nice idea to pay that place a visit.

And that place is Maracana Stadium (official name: "Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho"). Built for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, it has also hosted former Pope John Paul II masses, performances of artists like Paul McCartney, Madonna and Tina Turner. Maracana is also the main stadium for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and is scheduled to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup final match. The nickname Maracana comes after "similar to a rattle" in a indigenous language because of the presence of birds called "maracanã-guaçu" (in that same language) used to be common in the area.

From there, I went to Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. Considered one of the most important botanical gardens in the world, it has more than eight thousand specimens from Brazil and abroad.

Close to the botanical garden, I also went to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Although it is a lagoon, it has salty water. That characteristic is kept by an artificial connection between the sea and the lagoon. It is common to see people jogging, exercising or just hanging around the area around the lagoon. Especially on weekends, the place can be bursting with life at certain points.


Then came the third and last day... and something was still lacking. I mentioned before about beaches in Rio, but I haven't been at any so far. So before leaving to the airport, I went to Copacabana beach. Probably the most "touristic" beach in Rio, it is famous by its sidewalks with patterns resembling waves and by its Reveillon party.

There was still a little time a last location before returning home: Ipanema beach. Although the neighbourhood and the beach themselves are also famous and important in Rio, many people might be more familiar with the name because of the song "Girl from Ipanema" - perhaps the most famous Brazilian song abroad.


More pictures are available from my Picasa album.

Curitiba (Brazil)

Applying for another public service examination, I went to Curitiba, capital of Paraná state, where the exam was held on July 4th.

Curitiba is known worldwide for its efficient urban planning, especially regarding its public transportation system. In Brazil, it was one of the first cities to implement garbage separation for recycling, and now it recycles around two-thirds of its garbage - one of the highest ratings in the world - even though participation by the general population is not (yet) mandatory. Curitiba is also often considered one of the best cities of Brazil to live.


Since Curitiba is relatively close to Londrina (379 km away. Brazil-wise that can be considered close), a one-day trip via night bus would be enough this time. And since the exam would be in the afternoon, that left me with time enough to visit one touristic place.

The place chosen was the "Jardim Botânico" ("Botanical Garden"), one of the most famous places of Curitiba. The metallic structure of the main greenhouse is one of the city's postcards and is in front of a French-style garden. Also, as a botanical garden, it has many Brazilian plants, including some rare specimens and a "garden of sensations" where the visitor interacts with plants and natural scenes blindfolded to feel nature using the other senses.


From there I left to do the exam. After it was over, I spent some time in Shopping Estação, a former train station that was reformed into a shopping mall in 1997. Before I took the bus back there was still time to meet a friend who also went to Japan the same year I went to Kyoto (henceforth called "R."). In fact, we were approved for the MEXT scholarship together.

And that brings a nostalgic feeling. After our scholarship was confirmed, there was an orientation session at the Consulate-General of Japan in Curitiba. That was also the first time all those who passed the selection met each other (although I was the only one that didn't live in Curitiba), and after the orientation, we decided to go to a pub celebrate and talk about our expectatives.

If I'm not wrong, "R." and I were the only ones who had been to Japan before. And, I wonder if it is coincidence or the fact that we have similar majors, he is the only one of that group I've met since. Once in Nikko, then in Tokyo and now in Curitiba again.

And now, three years after going to Japan, we were telling each other stories of what happened in Japan, especially the stress when packing everything to return to Brazil. The cycle ended and now it is time to move on. He already has. I am moving towards it, too. And finding a (good) job is the big leap necessary for this.

Life goes on.

More pictures are available in my Picasa album.

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

In search for a job, I applied for a public service opening in a different state. Since I would have to go to that state for a public service examination ("concurso público"), that would be a good chance to visit a part of Brazil I've never been to.

The state is Rio Grande do Sul, and the exam was held in Porto Alegre.

That region is famous among Brazilians for a number of characteristics, among which its characteristic accent; a strong traditional culture; main influence of German and Italian immigrants; some famous personalities like Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Gisele Bündchen; and a strong sense of regionalism, to the point that some are separatists. The latter characteristic may derive from the Farroupilha Revolution, a separatistic movement triggered in that same state and which led to the longest civil war in Brazilian History.

After arriving by plane on June 26th and reaching the hotel where I would stay, I decided to leave for a little touristic stroll. And just walking around downtown may be a History class since, as reminded by a local friend, many streets there are named after important names of the Farroupilha Revolution.

The first stop was the "Mercado Público de Porto Alegre" (Public Market of Porto Alegre) or just "Mercado" as it is most often called. Built in 1869, it is considered an Important Cultural Asset and one of the references when shopping in the city. Among the products offered are regional products and natural products.


Then, after walking to "Praça Marechal Deodoro" ("Marshal Deodoro Square"), surrounded by many other important buildings like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Porto Alegre (first built in 1772 and reformed in the early XX Century with, among other structures, a 60m tall and 18m diameter dome) and the Piratini Palace (official workplace of the Governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul), I decided to end the tour for the day. After all, there was a exam waiting.

The next day was the day of the exam, which took place during the morning. After taking the wrong bus on the way back (when the driver kindly let me ride again without having to pay the fare again) I was back downtown with more time to walk around the town.

So, after a brief stop at the hotel (it was hot on that day, but when I left early in the morning I was prepared for a cold weather as many say it is characteristic of the region) I went to "Parque da Redenção" ("Redemption Park"), also known as "Parque Farroupilha" ("Farroupilha Park"). The park is one of the most popular in town; and since it was a sunny Sunday, there were lots of people there jogging, playing, visiting a (mostly handicraft) market at a nearby street... and enjoying the nice weather. The park also has an extensive history linked to the development of Porto Alegre. Still, I don't think I understand that history enough to try explaining it here.


After the park, I walked to "Gasômetro", a former thermoelectric power plant that was turned into a cultural center from where it is possible to watch a beautiful sunset. From there it is also possible to ride a boat that goes around some small islands in the area.


That ended my tour around Porto Alegre. The only thing left to do was going back home, but not without buying some local souvenirs. Especially because my parents like a drink traditional of the region - chimarrão -, so I just had to buy something for them.

As a note, I saw very few Asian-looking people on the three days I stayed in Porto Alegre. And none during the exam. Still, just once I was stared at because of my looks: by a kid when I was on my way to the airport. No "Gaijin Stares" there.

Another curiosity of the region is that it is possible to see many people (and not only men) wearing clothes indicating if they support Grêmio or Internacional - the two strongest soccer teams in the state and fierce rivals. Indicating that you support one of these teams is certain to get the sympathy of one group... and complaints from the other.

Finally, since we are talking about soccer, while I was flying back Brazil was playing against Chile for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. As the plane reached Congonhas Airport (I had to transit from there), the pilot annouced that he had an important announcement to make: according to informations from the tower, the game was still 0-0. Ah, I have to admit I missed Brazilian irreverence when I lived in Japan...

But it isn't over yet. Just as we arrived inside the airport and saw some televisions (obviously broadcasting the soccer match) Brazil scored the first goal. Talk about perfect timing!

More pictures are available in my Picasa album.

Sao Paulo (Brazil)

I returned to Brazil in the beginning of April. To be more precise, April 1st. My parents traveled to Japan. They returned on April 4th (because they wanted to see sakura). Can you see that something is off?

Perfect occasion to fulfill a promise made to a friend and visit him. I've done this before in Florianopolis before I left to Kyoto and in Sorocaba when I returned to Brazil during my round the world trip. Time to pay them another visit - this time in Sao Paulo.

Am I the only one who noticed they are always living in a different city when I decide to visit?

So I got a ride from the airport, and since it was close to lunch, we decided that my first meal in Brazil should be in a barbeque restaurant (churrascaria) close to my friend's house with him and his spouse. After eating like there's no tomorrow, we strolled around the neighborhood. Unusually calm neighborhood for Sao Paulo... they got a really nice place.

After strolling, we thought we should exercise a bit at a park (I actually forgot its name, although I think it was the Ibirapuera). Unfortunately, we saw another "attraction" instead: Sao Paulo's famous traffic jams. After being stuck for half an hour (where we advanced not more than 2km), we decided to abort and return to their house... avoiding the main roads.

In the end, we just chilled out for the rest of the day, playing some video games like Street Fighter 4 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (both highly recommended).

Next day, Holy Friday. Three-day weekend. Good sign for those in Sao Paulo: way less traffic and crowds around. Still, we decided not to take any chances and go by subway to Luz (where Luz Station - Estação da Luz - is a touristic spot itself) see the Museum of the Portuguese Language (Museu da Língua Portuguesa).

The museum educates without being boring. Origins of the language; influences from other (from indigenous to immigrant) languages; main differences between Brazilian Portuguese and Portugal Portuguese... Some of the interesting features are a panel where one can listen to various accents from different regions in Brazil and an alley full of grammar mistakes and other interesting "word games" that only make sense in Portuguese.

Lunch time. So we walked to Mercado Municipal (literally translated as "city market") to eat some "pasteis". Actually, the market is famous for products like cheese and ham offered at special prices (and also yummy as far as I've heard). As a last surprise, we saw a celebrity there - Sérgio Reis - probably doing his shopping for the Holy Friday and Easter. Too bad he couldn't walk ten meters without being stopped by someone asking for a picture...

The rest of the day went smoothly until night. As it was a Holy Friday, bacalhau is mandatory. Why? Well, according to Christianism it is not allowed to eat meat on a Holy Friday in respect for Christ's death. And Portuguese influence in Brazil made this dish the most popular - not to say traditional - for Holy Friday in Brazil (especially around the Southeast region).

But the day wasn't over yet. About midnight we left to a shopping mall watch a stand-up comedy show. Unfortunately I don't remember the title anymore, but it was very good. And a opportunity for me to readapt to Brazil: stages this late at night are not something that happens in Japan as fas as I know; and the kind of humor is also very different.

April 3rd. After two intensive days, the third one was slower. Between chilling out, talking and playing video game we watched El Secreto de sus Ojos (a.k.a. The Secret in Their Eyes) at the movie theater. Interesting movie with a nice story, although I thought it was a bit slow to put things in motion.

And finally on April 4th my parents arrived. We met at the airport, ate a pizza all together and then returned to Londrina.

This start of a new journey was very pleasant. Now on to the next challenge...

Londrina, Brazil

To close my posts about Brazil, I still have to talk a little about my hometown.

Londrina is the second largest city in Paraná State; and its name comes after "little London", name given by some British entrepeneurs due to the presence of fog similar to London's (although it's rarely seen nowadays). Its fertile soil (terra roxa) contributed to the city's development beyond expectations (some say Maringá was planned to be the largest city of northern Paraná, but was outgrown because of the coffee economy) during the period Brazil was the main coffee exporter to the rest of the world.


Lago Igapó (Igapo Lake) is an artificial lake that became one of the main postcards of the city, especially after a revitalization project took place. Its name comes after Tupi language meaning "flooded forest" (transvazamento de água).


Catedral Metropolitana de Londrina (Metropolitan Cathedral of Londrina) is an archdiocese and suffered one reconstruction and one expansion since its first version built in wood. Is a common reference point for having a characteristic structure and being located downtown.


Zerão is a park with a running track, sport courts and an amphitheatre. Its nickname (the real name is "Área de Lazer Luigi Borghesi", but almost no one knows the place by that name) comes after its oval running track that delimits the park.

The city has also some other points of interest, like the Terminal Rodoviário de Londrina (inter-city bus terminal), projected by Oscar Niemeyer and considered one of the most beautiful in the country (at least project-wise); Museu Histórico de Londrina (History museum, focused on the city's History), formely the city's train station; or UEL (State University of Londrina). I didn't take pictures of those places, though.

Also, other places like Praça Tomi Nakagawa were previously mentioned.

For those who think the pictures here are not enough, check my Picasa album for more.

Japan in Brazil

2008 is the 100th anniversary of the Japanese emigration to Brazil. It's also marked as the year of cultural exchange between Brazil and Japan. Therefore, my trip from Japan to Brazil wasn't totally unnoticed.

I'm not saying anything about media. Just about peers, friends and relatives asking lots about Japan. Maybe even more than when I came back from Himeji. That was part of the reasons I thought of writing a faq... idea discarded afterwards. There are lots of other sources for observations about Japan. For Portuguese speakers, Muito Japão II is one I particularly enjoy reading. The writer has a very good eye to notice interesting points about Japan.

Nevertheless, one question that I thought was really relevant was: how were the 100th anniversary celebrations in Japan?

To put it short, way less celebrated than it was in Brazil. I won't say that there weren't celebrations. There were. Official and not. Big or small. The ones I've heard about or went to were nice (the previous link has more information). Still, I have the feeling that it was more celebrated in Brazil.

One interesting thing is that most Japanese celebrations were concentrated on the day Kasato Maru left Japan, while in Brazil it was when the ship arrived. Both points of view make sense, and it created funny situations like friends from Brazil asking how are preparations for the celebration after they happened in Japan, but before the ones in Brazil.

Changing the topic, I should write someday about the view some Brazilians have about Japan... especially considering I already did the opposite. Maybe some other day. Anyway, Japanese culture has been popular in Brazil during the last years. In good part because of modern Japanese culture, especially manga and anime. The interesting thing is it often leads people to look for other parts of Japanese culture, like language or traditional Japanese culture (tea ceremony, martial arts, bonsai). And in some cases they become interested in that as well.

But imported culture usually is filtered, adapted and/or slightly modified. From that mixture may come lots of good things. Brazil benefitted from the different origin of its inhabitants.

Still, I really wasn't expecting otaku to meet emo...

Yes, it's happening. Or at least it was my impression when I went to the places I used to buy Japanese manga. And that fusion, although makes some sense considering the stereotypes of these two groups, is a little weird... or is it just me?

Last, some Japanese-related stuff in my hometown...


Praça Nishinomiya is a Japanese-themed square in front of the airport that have been the stage of some activities related to Brazil-Japan exchange. Nevertheless, in 2008 another square was built, in part as part of the centenary celebrations: Praça Tomi Nakagawa. Prince Naruhito was present during the inauguration ceremony, although only briefly.


Then, from September 5th to 7th there was a Japanese festival called Londrina Matsuri. Although it used to be held at Praça Nishinomiya, this year it happened in Parque Ney Braga. That's the same place where some months before there was a huge event celebrating the centenary of Japanese immigration (IMIN 100). I wasn't there, but all comments about the IMIN 100 were very positive.

The matsuri was obviously smaller than the IMIN, and for those who had been to both, comparing both events was unavoidable. Perhaps the greater loss was it not being an open event anymore. Now it required an entrance fee and was in a more distant place. One of the reasons for the change was perhaps security, since an open event in Brazil may attract the wrong kind of people... At least the there was more space and the stands for shops were better than at the square.

I went only on the 7th to, among other things, watch a performance of my former ballroom dance academy. There were also other performances, like Okinawan dances (one of the leaders is a girl who went to Okinawa the same year I was in Himeji), taiko and music.

But the most expected attraction was obviously the Matsuri Dance. It's a little hard to explain... Pick bon odori, put some band (or playback) playing J-pop and substitute the choreographies for something that may vary from funk carioca and axé to awa odori... Popular among some young people, especially Japanese descendents and/or anime lovers.

Anyway, guess a video is the best way to show what it looks like.

It has changed since I used to be in the middle of the crowd as well... It looks more and more like a band show since most people don't bother keeping the circular movement (characteristic of bon odori) anymore. Plus, the choreographies are becoming more and more "Brazilian like" using more popular J-pop songs. Guess that's evolution... can't stop it.

Sorocaba

The only "trip" I did while I was in Brazil and also the only thing I had scheduled while I was in Japan: go with Willian to visit Juliano and Simone. I haven't met for latter two since Florianópolis. Since then, they've married (I was asked to be a groomsman, but I was in Japan and couldn't go to the ceremony) and moved to Sorocaba.

So, shortly after returning to Brazil, from August 22nd to 25th I joined Willian and his family for a car trip.

The first stop was in Bauru, where a friend of Willian's family owns a Japanese restaurant in a hotel. We also went to a local shopping mall and a gym (someone's addicted... not me) before dinner... sushi better than those of kaitenzushi. Hehe!

Anyway, on the next day we went to Sorocaba to meet Juliano and Simone. And it seems he promised my mother that I'd put on some weight there... or so he said. I admit I lost weight compared to when I left Brazil last year, but I probably never ate so much like those two days...

Since Willian's father had been driving for two days (not all the time, but it's demanding nevertheless), we decided to give him a rest in a hotel recommended by our locals while we did some major catching up. Among chatting, joking and mocking we had planned to go to a LAN gaming center, like the old times. Unfortunately we couldn't find a suitable one open, so we turned to video-games instead. Warcraft would still have to wait...


August 24th. The only whole day we would have there. Someone had suggested going to Hopi Hari, but really... it's been years we haven't met and we would go to an amusement park!? Instead, our hosts suggested the Sorocaba Zoo to see some animals like the dancing elephant (!?).


Another special thing was the place where we went for lunch. All-you-can-eat restaurant, as expected from Juliano. Still, the food there was VERY good and had good variety. If the expression "eating until you explode" was ever accurate it was during that lunch.

We spent the rest of the day going to shopping malls, visiting the hotel where Willian's parents were staying, watching Juliano and Simone's wedding ceremony DVD (LMAO of a certain "compromising situation" someone was filmed at... hahaha! The eyes really look at things one think are interesting...), playing video-games and... eating.

On the last day, I was sleeping while Willian and his father went to a gym Simone knows and scaried the hell out of some people there as far as I've heard. Well, they're quite muscular... and it's not something common for Asian descendents. And when one starts lifting an absurd amount of weight and the other asks to punch him on the abdomen... I can imagine the scene. Hehe!

Why didn't I go together? First that beside those two I'd be less than nothing. And something weird happened to my right eye. Later I found out it was nothing serious, but when I got up on that day it looked like I was punched in the eye... We even told jokes that Willian wanted to go to the gym so badly that he was dreaming he was training and hit me in the eye while sleeping. I wouldn't doubt that... haha!

After they returned it was already time to go. We'll probably won't be able to meet again anytime soon, but this meeting, although short was well worth it. I'd say only those four days were worth already the whole trip to Brazil.

See you space cowboy!

Back to Brazil

After London and Munich, I finally arrived at the place that is the real reason of the whole trip: Brazil. After all, it all started as a trip back home to see family and friends I haven't seen for one year and a half or more.


So I stayed in Brazil from August 19th to September 16th. Basically one month... that went very fast. Most of the time I stayed in Londrina, my hometown and the place where I have more friends around... although many have left the city looking for a job or studying.

Talking about friends, one month wasn't enough to see all of them. Due to problems with schedule or simple lack of luck I couldn't meet some...


I'll write some more posts about events that I think are worth a separate post. For now, I'll write some general comments.

• I said I enjoyed Brazil a lot... and I'm not kidding! Ate a lot and at almost all the restaurants I like, slept well, played a lot with the Wii (family's new video game)... More than enough to satisfy my homesickness. Still, I realise it was a vacation. When I lived there the routine was different.
  
  
• When in Japan, I miss things in Brazil, but the opposite is also true. Sometimes I was wondering how friends in Japan were doing, reading about what they did and wishing I could be there too, missing being able to walk carelessly at night (or even during the day)... My conclusion is after you live aborad you'll never be complete again. There'll always be a part missing wherever you go, wherever you are.
  
  
• One of the things I've decided to do while I was in Brazil was to visit some of the places I used to go. That included my former high school and university. Especially at the high school I had some surprises and good reminiscences. Although it was reformed and looks completely different, many of the teachers I admired are still there. And it was interesting talking to them now, years after you were their student. More impressing is how many still remembered me, considering they have more than a hundred students per year and some eight years have passed since then...
  
  
• Also, going to those places was a nice thing to know how old friends were doing. And listening to some stories made me a little jealous. A former high school friend is now a nurse at that same high school; some classmates at university are employed by a multinational and did a course in Germany; another high school friend is now working or studying in the US (and her major is Physics!); other opened his own business... Guess I should keep moving too. At least I have good examples around for inspiration.
  
  
• Besides schools, I went to other places like my former judo dojo, dance academy and met the guys who played futsal together (those who are still around). Doing all that again made me sure of something I was feeling already: my physical condition reached an all-time low! Gotta do something from now on!!
  
  
• Talking of physical conditions, other skills are very rusty. I was never very good at snooker, but after losing 5 matches in a row to a friend and -worse- 3-0 to my younger sister(!), I guess I reached the point that I suck.
  
  
• Another of the places I had to go was my grandmothers' grave. They died last year, leaving me with no grandparents alive. One of them I particularly loved very much, and not even being able to go to her funeral was a strong blow. It was probably the only time I ever considered abandoning everything in Japan and going back to Brazil...
  
  
• There was a big costume party while I was in Londrina, Metamorfose. It says it's the largest of the world... I'm still not sure. I didn't go for some reasons (most of all I had people to meet; and that takes precedence considering I had limited days in Brazil), but it's worth checking pictures of it (click "Fotos").
  
  
• The thing I missed most in Brazil by far were family and friends. And meeting them again, by previous scheduling or by pure luck, was the very highlight of the trip. Some I haven't met for almost a decade, and it was really enjoyable catching up with each of them...
  
  
• I mention strange things in Japan, but some things in Brazil are also weird. For example, campaigns to reduce use of plastic bags are also happening in Brazil. Some supermarkets encourage customers to bring their own bags. But in Brazil you can't carry bags, backpacks, etc. in places like some libraries (we had to put it in lockers before entering the university's library), stores and supermarkets. So when you bring a bag to avoid using a plastic bag in a supermarket, you have to keep it sealed until you reach the cash register... sealed in a plastic bag!! Go figure...
  
  
• I thought of writing a faq with things almost everyone I met in Brazil asked me... but gave up. I wouldn't like to write some of the answers anyway. Some things are better said than written.

Floripa!!!

Finally, after about 2 years, I went to the beach again...

From Jan 2nd to 4th I was in Florianópolis with William. Both of us invited by Juliano and Simone who live there.

The only thing in the way was a 10-hour-long bus journey...

Leaving on Monday night, we arrived on Tuesday morning there. And off we went...

The first day was dedicated to the beaches. Since it was (obviously) impossible to visit them all, our guides recommended some...

Jurerê - basically we played beach volleyball and spent the rest of the time inside the water...

Joaquina - sandboarding!! I thought it'd be easier for me who'd already snowboarded before, but it wasn't. Well, I've never learned how to brake anyway... heheh... That was surely the highlight of the day. Ah... and sliding is very good, but climbing back is tiresome... I missed a ski lift...

Mole - It was close anyway... a choice to end the day.

Second day. At Lagoa da Conceicao. After tiring our legs climbing dunes, time for the arms to get some work. In other words, canoeing. Then, we changed for a paddle boat. That was an interesting one. It had a slope, so we could also play in the water.

After (late) lunch, a little of futsal and, as the weather was a little rainy, we went to a LAN house...

But for dinner... shrimp. And a lot! And relatively unexpensive! Since if I only tell few would believe, I have a picture:



That, plus rice, french fries (also in the picture), salad and mayonnaise... all for R$ 62,50. More a less US$ 30,00...

For the third day, we decided to change the saltwater sea for freshwater pool. So we went to a club and spent the day at the pool and playing sports (some strange, but interesting mix between tennis and volleyball) and truco.

By the end of the third day, it was time to face the long trip again... this time back home. Three days well spent!

And, of course, special thanks to our hosts / drivers / guides: Juliano and Simone!!