Oddities, rumours, and ramdon 'goings on"

Another week or so has come and gone since my last blog update. I'm trying to keep up but you know how it is - just no energy to do so but I hope to change this.

- Well it's been about 2 months since I've come to Rio - I had touched on this in my last post and I must say that it has flown by. I've met alot of new friends and accquintances here. I know some will remain just people that I met and probably end up fading to memory - which sucks but that's how it is sometimes- and others I'm sure that I'll end up keeping in touch with and possibly running in to again.

- The house is fairly full but relatively calm - we have Sam, Gerrad, Thomas, Tom, Jason, Jeremy and myself living in the house. Overall the house is much calmer than when I first arrived which suits me fine. Jeremy will be leaving in about a week and half - not sure who will be in to take his place. hopefully, it will be someone who is calm and not on the partying side.

- speaking of parties. I went out for a late supper on Sunday (to Camacha's restaurant and bar). I had ordered a chicken sandwich with some fries. I also had a coke - I've started drinking coke again whether or not this is good is another story. Anyhow, while I was waiting for my food to come along one of the black belts from Gordo's gym (he's a fisherman) walked by me and shook my hand and said his hellos. A few minutes later he came back with a guy I had seen on the beach before helping with the kite surfing who spoke some English. They asked me what I was up to and I told them that I was having supper they invited me to the other side of the restaurant/bar. They asked me if I'd like some beer - I said no but that I would hang out for awhile. We talked and they told me that I should hang out with them (there ended up being three of them - blackbelt, long hair, and kite surf owner.) They wanted me to go to some places here in Rio - of course I was alone so i was apprehensive about this.

I got my food and ended up sitting down with one of the other house mates who was at the bar as well. I ate and decided to buy the guys some beer. So i ordered a beer (they are in large bottles here) and took it over to the guys and even shared a glass with them. Anyhow, at some point I had drank 4 glasses of beer and was starting to fee buzzed out by this time. I knew from my last experience of drinking that I was playing with fire. By this time the bar was packed with people who were waiting to get into the Samba club that is located above the bar. This meant that there were females all over the place - very tempting. They also tried to teach me a song that is sung here something along the lines of "I'm single and in Rio de Janerio" which I assume is some sort of single guy mating call. I took a deep breath and told the guys that I would have to take a rain check as I needed to get up early to train - which was a partial lie as monday was a holiday here in Brazil and the gym was closed but were were going to train - just not till later in the day. Anyhow, that was my experience of a wild sunday night.

- About a month back I was at the gym training in the afternoon with Dennis and most of the house here at the Connection Rio HQ. Anyhow, there was a young guy there doing some filming for a school project - something to do with "why people come to Rio and Train Jiu Jitsu." Anyhow here is the clip with some of the guys in the house- you even get to see me once or twice..ha ha!

-Jason, Thomas and I decided that we were going to go to Restaurante Fronteira on Friday - the all you can eat pizza place. Anyhow it had been raining quite heavy for about 3 days and finally let up a little that evening. So we decided to go out and catch a cab and meet Greg at the restaurant. We walked down to the grocery store so I could use the bank machine as I had no cash on me. So we did that and decided to try the cab stand right in front of the grocery store. so we asked the lady if we could get a cab to the restaurant. Anyhow after a long wait we said to hell with it and decided to walk to the other cab stand about a block away. We got there and waited for a cab to arrive. Long story short, we waited about 20 mins and decided to just walk to the restaurant as the rain seemed to have let up. We began walking to the restaurant and about 5 minutes into the walk we should have crossed the street just before bridge like we normally do but for whatever reason we did not and just keep walking. Well along came a city bus just as we were walking near a large puddle on the road. It was perfect timing on the bus' and our part as we ended up getting splashed with a large amount of water. All three of us were soaked on our left sides.

this prompted us to quickly cross the road and continue on the restaurant. Just as we crossed the bridge and started to walk to the overpass it started to down pour. We tried to hail some cabs but with out luck. In the end we tried to wait out the rain - and it ended up letting up enough so that we could walk quickly to the restaurant. we spent about 2hrs in the restaurant trying to dry up. Needless to say we cabbed it back home.

- well I finally ended up talking to that cute gal from the Bakery - it was by accident. I went out on saturday to buy a new towel and decided to drop by the bakery for a coffee. Anyhow, she was working and what not. being the bashful, none Portuguese speaking fool I am. I just stood there drinking my coffee and trying to not be so creepy. Ha ha! I usually walk around with my ear phones in and this time was no different. Anyhow, at one point I noticed some of the girls talking and pointing to to me - so I took my earphones off. They said something to me - but not speaking the language I could not understand what was being said. In my extremely broken Portuguese I was able to convey to the gals that I could not speak much Portuguese and that I was from Canada. I tried to show them (speak) some of the words that I knew which elicited laughter from them - including the cute, short gal. Anyhow, she asked me something but again I could not understand. But I got a smile from her and that's a start I guess. Next mission is to ask her for her name and number - oh and work on my Portuguese.

-we decided to have a BBQ last night (Monday) and all went well except for the fact that we could not get the fire started. Jeremy, ended up going down to the market and getting some lighter fluid for the Charcoal. Anyhow, the guys were in the BBQ area trying to start it - I was in doors chopping up some green peppers. At one point all I heard was lots of screaming and then laughter - as well as an accompanying fire ball. What had happened is that Greg (another Aussie who stays in an apartment a good distance away but trains at Gordo's) had decided to get right in the BBQ stove with his lighter, after the coals had been saturated with lighter fluid. He light the lighter and well the ensuing fire ball burnt some of the hair in front as well as lightly burning some of his lip and nose. It could have been alot worse but it was not and produced one of the more comical episodes here in Rio. I also heard that after the initial fireball that Greg ran to the pool and dipped his face in. This was too funny and again one of those things, like the bus splashing us, that only happens in movies or to other people.

-Well only a few more days till the cyclone tournament - it should be an interesting experience. I don't know what to expect but I'll try to have fun and just give it my best. The next blog will be about the tournament and any thing that goes on in between then.

take care and all the best to anyone who reads this.

Andre
p.s. sorry for the misleading title but you know..ha ha!

Going to the mall - taking the wrong bus back: Adventures in Public Transportation - & various goings on...

I have not written an update in while (well a few days at least.) Alot has changed and gone on since my last post. So here goes:

1. We've had some new people move into the house and they taken over the part of the house i was initially staying in. They're 14 people from Ecuador living in that part of the house. They mainly keep to themselves and seem to have their own private bus service. They arrived last saturday - the day that Johnny and Nicky left. They ended up being really loud their first night here - they were up having some sort of dance party till at least 7am Saturday night/Sunday morning. Not very fun at all. They seem to have cooled down and are training but not sure where. someone said they are training at Gracie Barra or Minotauro's gym. Either way they are usually gone all day and come in during the evening make noise, go to sleep, then do it all again the next day. They will be here till the weekend then they will leave to go back home. Which is good because I will be able to move back to my little part of the house. right now there are 4 of us in one common room which leaves little "Alone Time." Long short - they can't leave soon enough.

2. The 3 English guys left - first it was Nick and Johnny on Saturday. Then Antony left early Monday morning. So the house is a bit more quiet then it was when I first arrived. They were all really great guys - I'm glad that I got the opportunity to meet all 3. Safe journey's to all of them.

3. The weekend was hell. I got not sleep Friday as the guys went out because Nick and Johnny were leaving. They came back at like 5am and Antony and Jordan ended up getting into a big time argument that almost came to fist-a-cuffs. so that keep me up Friday night. Then i had to wake up early because the large group from Ecuador were arriving that morning. Saturday was more of the same - Antony, Jordan, Fernando, Bas all got drunk then came back with some gals and loudness ensued. Of course once they settled down the Ecuadorians decided to have their dance party till 7 am. Needless to say it was a crappy weekend for sleep. I was pretty pissed off. I think anyone would be.

4. Training is going good but my age is showing as everyday it's like being run over by a trunk. I hope that i can keep this up and stay relatively injury free. I would be so upset if i got a major injury. right now my elbow are sore - sorta like a tennis elbow thing. We did some judo throws last night and that always does it for me.

5. I'm starting to find my way around the Barra (my part of Rio) and i've begun to explore and do some picture taking. There is alot of down time in between training in the morning and training in the evening. It's been kinda of chilly the past few days so the beach is outta the question. I do worry that I'll attract the wrong attention with my camera. But you know you have to take a chance on life and hope for the best - which is exactly my attitude.

6. I think I will try to do a private lesson with one of the black belts this week (Friday or Saturday) to help with my Guard passing. I do believe it will be Homeo (not sure of the spelling) that I'll have to talk with about doing a private session for guard passing as that is his forte; or so I've been told.

7. There is a really pretty gal that lives on our street and one of the guys that stays here - Ipar(not sure of the spelling but he is from Germany) said he's seen her around here before. So maybe, just maybe there is some hope to forget about that Blue Eyed Heartbreaker from Raymond Alberta. I hope so - I'd love to meet somone new.

8. So today I decided to go to the Barra Shopping Centre - which is the largest shopping centre in South America - Again i've been told this so I'd have to clarify this for sure. But it is huge - i only explored one floor because it was that big and after a morning training session I was super tired and did not want to do so much walking. I was told that it was very expensive there and that it was not worth buying anything there. Upon my visit to Barra Shopping this was confirmed. Everything is so over priced. For instance, i was looking at some Addidas shoes and they were R$68,00 but this 5 payments of R$68,00. Most people cannot afford to buy them outright so they have the option of paying for shoes in installments - that's hard to wrap my head around. That is life down here.

I wandered around then decided to head home and go to sleep so I could attempt to train tonight. I took some pictures of the mall - but got told that taking pictures is a no-no; which is strange because I was told it was okay to do so. Anyhow, the pictures are of some of the sights at Barra Shopping. After picture taking i made my way to the bus stop and waited for number 175 bus - lots of buses came and went and finally I noticed a bus approaching that had 175 on the front. So took my R$2,20 and got ready to board it. Payed my fare, grabbed a seat and prepared to get close to home so I could walk home and get some sleep. Well the plan took a big detour. I cannot say for sure where I ended up but all I know is that we hit some free way and went into a long tunnel. Once we exited the tunnel we passing by a Favala (those shanty towns that are off limits to anyone not from there.) So at this point I started to freak out a bit. I took out the map that Dennis gave me with the address for the house and took it to the money lady on the bus (you pay the lady and she give you change if you need it and she lets you in the turn stile. Anyhow, she said that i was on the wrong bus and that i would have to wait till they got to the central and I would have to find the bus to Barra da Tijuca.

So we got to central - which I assume is downtown. The lady pointed me in the direction of the buses I needed to check for the 175 Barra da Tijuca. Eventually I found the right bus, payed my fare and then sat on it for about an hour till i got to the main bus stop in Barra. Needless to say i was tired, hungry, and a bit shocked at my busing adventure. The only problem was that I did not take pictures because we passed some shady parts of town and I did not want to take the chance of being robbed, or worse.

on the upside i got to see the areas of Copacabana and Ilmpana - the places I was going to stay originally. Let me tell ya - I'm glad I did not as it is way, way, way too far from Barra. So despite the packed house - I'm glad Im here as I've met some cool house mates and they've all helped me find my bearings here in Brazil.

so that was my big adventure - Barra Shopping then the two hour, scenic route, bus ride.

I skipped training tonight as my arms were still killing me and I was dead tired from my days adventure. I will wake up early and get to the morning training and hopefully my arms are feeling better so i can Train twice tomorrow.

Well that is my little update for now - I hope that I don't take as long to update next time. I just got busy and did not have as much time to write.

take care and all the best to anyone who reads this.

A.

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.

saturday nights, drunks, ufc

last night was super crazy - we thought that we had found a place to watch ufc fights but when we got to the home there was nothing on. so after some fiddling around we ended up coming back to the place and having to watch a stream of the fights. which sucked cause it was slow, choppy, and you could never really get a good sense of action. three of the guys were drinking heavly and it made for a slightly annoying night. But they left for the bars thanx god..ha ha.

having a hard time adjusting to the time difference - it's 3hrs ahead here and it's hard to get to sleep and hard to wake up on time.

Dispite the crappy stream - the fights were great.

it is very hot out today - not sure of the temputure but it is by far the hottest day thus far (granted I've been here 3 days). We're going to the beach which is going to be fun - have to make sure to lotion up with suntan oil and bring some water.

grab some food on the way there. I will be prepared this time with some proper swimmin trunks. Should be a good time - I was super unhappy friday and yesterday morning but I find that going out and doing something helps really helps with the bordom and mind wandering.

might take the camera today - takes some pics of the beach (thongs and speedos ha ha).

I hope that i can find a way to call home soon - i dont have credit card so skype is going to be hard. going to ask my mom or one of the sisters if i can use their credit card and hook up skype for 3 months. as im not positive that I'll be here for the full 4 1/2 months - money just might not hold out. Very expensive here - which is suprising. Thought it would be way cheaper.

anyhow, will write and hopefully post some pics on the next blog.

A.
"No Retreat, No Regrets"

Barra Beach and first times...

so i just got back from Barra Beach - the longest beach in Rio. it's about 30 minute walk from our place. I must say that it was well worth the walk. the city is unbelievable.

im glad i went out and hung out with the guys - really. I would have hated to have been here alone all day. it would have sucked ass. The opportunity is now to move on - forget all the shitty things in Southern Alberta. Have fun, train, live life, maybe get laid once in awhile...the girls here are unbelievablely goodlooking - and alot more friendly.

i did not take my camera as i did not know what to expect nor want to look like a total tourist. but next time...pictures will accompany my beach excurstion.

the beach..what can i say. First time outta north america, first time on a plane, first time in the ocean...unbelievable day.

we are looking for a place to watch ufc hopefully we can find a place - i really wanna watch the fights.

on as sad note - i used my one free call on skype to call home had a nice talk with the parents. but found out that one of the dogs died - the little dalmation suzie got bumped. she was with our family for just over 10 years. So I just like to say I hope that suzie is running wild in doggie heaven and raising hell like she used to.

goodtimes.

A.

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).

Connections Rio -Largo da Barra house

This is where I'm going to be staying while in Brazil - it's located in Barra da Tijuca and approximately 20 mins walk to the Gracie Barra Academy.  The Gentleman's name is Dennis.  He has been very helpful with answering my questions and helping me out.  I hope that things work out.  If you plan on journeying to Rio to train or just visit for awhile.  Contact him.  His website is:

http://www.connectionrio.com/Home_Page.html

Dennis has been very helpful with answering my questions and concerns.

This is a video sent to me by Dennis - a brief Youtube clip to give me an idea of where I'll be staying for my time in Rio.

Brazil

Some of you may or may not know what this blog is about or why I'm writing.  Well right now it's mainly to practice my writing and get used to writing on a continual basis.  What you may also need to know is that I'm going to be going to Brazil - Aug, 06 till Dec. 15, 2009 to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra in the Barra da Tijuca section of Rio.  There is a big story on why I decided to go down and train; which I will write about in the future.  Anyhow here is a great Youtube clip that gives you a visual of the place I will be staying for about 5 months.

Please let me have who I want this time, what I want...

Nothing really to this particular blog - just on my last couple of days of work and feeling scared and happy all at once. I will miss working here and the cool co-workers I work with and just the atmosphere here at the U of L.

Things seem to be slowly going forward - I just heard from Pousada da Sol. in Barra da Tijuca section of Rio and they sent me a quote for one room. Pousada da Sol is like 15 minutes walk from Gracie Barra in Barra da Tijuca - so i hope this works out it would be perfect.

I just hate to get my hopes up; as every time i do things seem to just go to hell and fall apart. I got my passport in the mail, finally. Now just book my flight, send away for my visa, sell my Jeep. And then off to find some happiness.

This song is from the movie This is England and it's just my soundtrack to my life on June 29th, 2009.

"The life that I've had can make a good man bad. For once in my life let me have who

I want. Lord knows it would be the first time."

Take care and all the best to anyone who reads this.

peace

A.