Blisters and Tropical Islands - SaoPaulo and Paraty

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Having said our final farewells at CT international, we settled into our seats excited at having our own TV with hundreds of games and movies. 24 hours later, neither movies nor games could keep us entertained any longer.

Sao Paulo is a vast city, covered in a thick layer of smog. With a population of 18 million,most locals live in high rise buildings. We arrived in time for an Italian festival, where we ate Italian food and were shoved along in a midst of a throng of people. Brazil is a melting pot of races and culttures, seemingly connected only by a common language and country. I, Phillipa, have been surprised at my level of Portuganish (Portuguese and Spanish mix) and have been communicating successfully. After walking about 30kms in 2 days, my feet were blistered and sore. We rounded off our trip by visiting Igreja Christa da Familia, an affiliated church with ours back home, where we received a warm welcome and our own translator.

We headed for Paraty, a small town on the coast with cobbled streets and corner cafes. We spent our Women´s Day differently to most South Africans, an island cruise where we snorkelled and swam at 4 different islands in beautiful blue water. Unlike Mozambique, here is quite an abundance of marine life. A definite setting for the next Pirates of the Carribean movie.

Tomorrow, we head off to Rio!

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Photos

Sao Paulo
A typical city scene

Sao Paulo
Market at Praça de Republica

Paraty
Snorkelling islands

Paraty
Blue water!

Paraty
The town

Comments

[African Amy]

ahsum!!
Guys, this is outdated by the time I figured out how to read your blog (there isn't anything new since 9 Aug right?) but oh my word!!! Sooo cool! I think I went shopping for groceries on women's day, did laundry and read a book =). Take me to the islands!!! Work (remember that? any twitches? or has paradise removed any unpleasant recollections? ) is very busy - I'm in denial though- and I get to head to a really interesting neurorehab conference in JHB next week. Staying with my cousin, Megs. I haven't been to Joburg since we stayed over at your folks on our way to Israel, P... years ago! Carina coming for supper and games tmrw eve, coffee with Sam Sat a.m., and my mom and aunty wendy coming for supper on Sat. lekker gesellig! and i will do some work. must do some work! congrats on the Sportuguses/ Panish, whatever it is you're doing so well. Looking forward to some more photos and more contact!! Hope you've been having a blast in Rio and beyond!! God bless, love A