First Day of Training, First venture out alone..

I trained for the first time today. The gym is just around the corner. The first training session starts at 8 am. This is the time I will use to break myself in. This week I will go once a day and get my body used to the rigors of training. Next week I'll try to amp it up to twice a day - not sure how long I can keep that up - it's very hard on the body.

Well training went fairly well - got to roll with 2 black belt and they had their way with me. It was humbling and exciting all at once. I really hope that I can stay injury free and take advantage of the training opportunity that is presented to me.

got home from training - showered up and walked down to the grocery market - picked up some bread and fruit. walked back home ate some bread, a banana and drank some chocolate milk. I was going to go to bed but got invited for lunch with Jeremy. So we walked down to Camacho's a little bar and grill that sells super cheap Chicken, rice, beans, and veggie - all that for R$9 (about 5 bucks in Canadian Funds.) I was not very hungry so I decided to just order a bowl of Acai and a coke zero.

After lunch Jeremy went to the market and I headed to the beach. It's a very long walk when you're tired. Made it to the beach. Did some swimming sunning. In the 4 days that I've been here in Brazil I've tanned so much. I wonder how dark I'll get by the time I leave for home.

After the beach some of the guys went for tacos and 3 of us just went back home. I got home and went straight to bed. This cold is really pushing my boundaries and strength. All I can hope for is that it clears up soon and I can actually breath.

woke up and showered by this time everyone else had gone to train for the evening. I decided to walk down to Camacho's. I somehow managed to order the chicken and rice and 2 litre coke zero. Ate and somehow managed to convey to the waiter that I wanted it packed up. Good stuff!

Well, I'm going to be going to bed soon. Get up early and go train. Live the dream. You know. It's definitely not as lonely now that I've figured out some of this neighborhood. I'll keep going forward.

My first day of training and my first venture out to eat - by myself... I think I'm doing good.

All day at the Beach

I woke up a bit late - I seem to have contracted the cold that everyone in the house has and it's playing hell with my system. But I managed to drag myself outta bed by 11 am Rio time which would 8 am back home.

It was quickly decided that we would go to the beach today as it was scorching hot this morning. So everyone got ready, guys headed out early and I ran to catch up. I dressed for the beach this time and wore my surf shorts for swimming. We Stopped at this Burger joint along the way and had Breakfast/Lunch. I had a burger with orange juice and a small Acai smoothie.

Again, i must stress the Acai drinks back home are crap, pure crap compared to the Acai here - so darn good. Like if you ever get the chance to come to rio get a bowl of Acai - with granola if you like - you'll be addicted. Plus they have amazing qualities - most antioxidants of any known fruit or veggie, natural elctrolytes on par with Gatorade (minus the processed sugar), omega 3 on par with salmon...just a great all round fruit. If you're stuck in Lethbridge go to booster juice and get one of the Acai Juice bottles - not as great but you get the idea.

So after our meal we headed down to Barra Beach. By this time there was a bit of a mist in the air and it cooled down considerably. Once we got to the beach we picked up some lawn chair that we were supposed to cost R$2 (2 dollars in Brazilian Currancy) but ended up costing me like R$6 - go figure? I guess we got "Gringo'd."

the Beach was awsome - we pitched up near the outter edge as a result it was less crowded; which was great. Because this is my first time near the ocean I'm in there quite a bit (well the 2 days I've been there). It's great - it's like swimming in epson salt...ha ha!

We spent the day at the beach although the ocean was warmer the sun was not as hot as yesterday. Apparently the young lad who invited us to play paint ball is Renzo Gracie's nephew - the kid was built like a tank. Everyone here is so friendly they always wanna shake hands, smile, and the gals love to kiss and get close when they are leaving (Ciao!)

I really like the beach and the long 30 minute or so walk to the beach. I would like to spend as much time there. I was going to train at Gracie Barra which is right near the beach but it's way too far and if I'm going to be training 2 times a day I'd like to not have to walk so far in the dark (it's winter here so it gets dark early). But Gracie Fusion is just around the corner and much more convienent.

I think the key to being my loneliness is just to get out and do something with others or once I get to learn the neighborhood better by myself. Hope you enjoy the pics - I'm going to bed soon as it's already 10pm and I need to be up early to get to morning training.

Still miss my family tonnes but it's getting alot better - I still need to find a way to phone them more - skype is the best option but I don't have a credit card. Things will work themselves out.

night out, spending money, acai

so i went out with some of the guys from the house - went out for some juice. at a local restaurant - we had some authentic Acai smoothies and let me tell ya - the acai drinks in Canada crap compared to the Acai drink i just had. Mmm, i would have taken a picture but it's night and it's best to not look like a total tourist and a mugging magnet.

Everything is super expensive here I hope that my jeep sells soon as I just dont know how long i can survive down here with the prices of everything.

did not train tonight - was not feeling to good. I wanted to sleep but my body is not cooperating with me. I'm tired but i cannot sleep - go figure.

I'm feeling a lot better now - i signed up for skype and got a free call to anywhere for 10 minutes. Called home and heard the parents voice and that was definitely a soothing experience. I dont have credit card so I'm going to have to find a way to get someone to put some money on skype so i can get the unlimited calling to anywhere in the world. It works out to $14.00 per month i hope that my Mom or my sister can do this for me.

well I will be training tomorrow - decided to Train at Gracie Fusion as it is just around the corner and not a far walk from the house.

writing is keeping me sane right now - just so overwhelmed with everything. probably try to go to bed soon - wake up and go do an afternoon training session.

till then...(unless I can't sleep then i may be up).