Reemergence

I am writing again for the first time in a few months and yes, I think I want to start to seriously write in this travel/lifestyle blog again. I think in the beginning my writing is going to be a little unpolished since it has been a while since I last wrote. Also, my language skills are pretty mixed up between Spanish and Portuguese. However, I am glad to be back and would like to share with you the many experiences of my last few months (especially those within the last few weeks). And yes, I have a plethora of stories to share. Finally, I want to apologize to those whom I did not inform about my current adventure (until this moment and hey, isn’t that better than nothing?). Anyway, it came quick and I had to make the decision quite swiftly, so either way, I hope you are not bitter and that all of you enjoy hearing more from me and my multinational adventures.

Currently I am in Manaus, Brazil. Surprisingly, I have found it much more enjoyable than I thought. This is due to the large quantity of negative comments I have heard from fellow travelers, travel books (lonely planet, can’t believe they were wrong ;) ha), and even from what I had learned from a lot of my cultural classes in the university. I guess it keeps reinforcing the fact that I should never listen to any of them, anyway, best advice is usually from locals and very seasoned backpackers. What I most liked about Manaus is that you are not expecting much and then you see the beautiful beaches of the Amazon River. The nightlife was great and everyone knows it is a great place to journey further in to explore the jungle. Oh and I almost forgot, its largest tourist attraction is its Teatro Amazonas, a giant opera theatre which is a relic of a time when Manaus was known as the Paris of the tropics, a day that is long gone, although, I was surprised to see the money that moves through this Amazonian hub.

Saturday was my first official day in Brazil. I arrived here by boat from Tabatinga, a trip that endured 3 full days. It was great to be on dry land again, (see videos when I post them). Also, there is no better way to be welcomed to Brazil than to witness the opening night of Carnaval and the Samba parties that go along with it. Frank, a German friend I met on the boat, contacted a girl he had met from here in Manaus. It was a great contact because she brought us to a Samba show and I am so mad I forget my nice brand new Flip video camera my mom and sister gave me for xmas. It was really great, with many different women and men strutting their stuff, the winner was to be crowned queen/king of Manaus Carnaval. The music was great, the energy incredible, and I have never seen people dance like that. It has most definitely excited me knowing that Carnaval will last another 3-4 weeks. I can’t imagine the insanity that will be the final week.

Following this post of Manaus I will be talking a bit on my next post, which will come soon, about the Amazon, my three day boat trip, and the vast quantity of fresh fruit juices available all over the tropics.