Advertisement
Published: January 18th 2014
With our next destination fast approaching, it was time to formulate our plans to get from Ilha Grande to the next stop on our itinerary; Foz Do Iguacu. A quick chat later we headed down to the quay side to book our boat back to Rio, with plans to catch a bus from there to Foz. In typical fashion, as soon as we got back to the hostel (tickets in hand) we got chatting to a couple of Brazilian guys from São Paulo (Evan and Marcus). After the usual traveller introductions of 'where you're from?' and 'where you're going?', they gave us a look of bemusement when we said we were going to Foz Do Iguacu via Rio (as Rio was in the wrong direction). The next instant they had offered to give us a lift in their car to São Paulo on the day we had planned to go; what a kind offer after just meeting them and what at result...other than the fact we had just spent £50 on tickets to Rio! To trust or not to trust, to go or not to go...
We decided to jump at the opportunity and take them up on the offer,
got our money back on the tickets we booked to Rio and booked a bus from São Paulo to Foz Do Iguac u. With a bus connection of 10:20pm we thought 'no sweat, easy peasy, loads of time!'. We set off from the island at 12:30pm and after a gentile ferry ride, a cup of Acai (amazing stuff), we were in the car and on the road to São Paulo. With reassurances that the journey should take no longer than 6 to 7 hours, we sat back, relaxed, chatted, watched the amazing coastal and forested scenery go by and waited to arrive.
Along the way we had a couple of stop offs for toilet breaks, petrol and a quick stop at a beautiful waterfall just off the roadside. Throughout the journey, Ivan and Marcus were continually filling us in on all the places we were passing through and even purchased a few local delights along the way to taste. As time ticked by we grew a little apprehensive of being able to reach our bus in time, but we still had what we thought was plenty(ish) of time. About 2 hours from the bus station Armageddon struck...a see of
red! Brake lights as far as the eye could see. Sh*t!!! That was goodnight Vienna to catching our bus. With thoughts of despair at the money for the bus going to waste and having to spend a night at the bus terminal, depression hit. That was until Evan invited us to spend the night at his mums house should we miss the bus. As we crawled along ever so slowly, time flew past ever so quickly and before we knew it our bus was leaving São Paulo, albeit two Brits light!
This was now the beginning of what can only be described as incredible kindness, genuine willing to help and an experience we will never forget. We arrived Evans mothers apartment in a suburban area of São Paulo called Suzano. A modest apartment within a modest hard working community, we were greeted with open arms (literally) and the friendliest of face in Evans mum. Less that 2 minutes after being there we were offered towels to have a shower and asked it we were hungry. In the meantime, Evan was on the phone to the bus company explaining to them what had happened and managed to change our bus
to the next day completely free of charge. Delighted with that, we both jumped in the shower, got dressed and came out to discover a full spread for dinner (bearing in mind it was 11:30pm by now). Following dinner and the long day we had just endured we were completely shattered and were looking forward to getting our heads down anywhere we could. The floor, a sofa, standing up; anywhere would have been just fine. But no; both Evan and his mum insisted we take the main bed in the two bedroom apartment. In shock we insisted we could not possible take their kind offer as it would not be fair, but they determinedly insisted that we do, so we did. About three second after our heads hitting the pillow...zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Waking up refreshed after an amazing nights sleep, we got up and were treated to a lovely breakfast. Fresh homemade juices and a table that would magically continually keep refilling. After filling ourselves to the brim we got all our bits together, planned out accommodation for the next couple of days and before we knew it, it was almost time to leave. That was just before we were told we had just one more meal before we had to leave. As we had to leave at 1pm, Evans mum specifically did an early dinner so we could eat before we left. ANOTHER lovely lunch of traditional Brazilian cuisine; chicken, rice, beans (brown) and more juices. The food was lovely and we were ready to burst again.
So that was it, all that was left one was for Evan to give us a lift to the station describe exactly where to go and what to do, he escorted us all the way to the train platform. It was there we said goodbye (which secretly left both of us pretty chocked up with emotion). The train arrived and we were on our way again and this time managed to catch our bus on to Foz Do Igucu.
The past 24 hours were not only an amazing experience for us both for learning so much about the real side of Brazil from three locals but we also learnt so much about the indescribable consideration, kindness and genuine willing to help from people in this country. A lesson the British could definitely learn a lot from but don't think we ever will (us included). We were so very thankful.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.1s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 16; qc: 62; dbt: 0.0621s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Ivan Souza
non-member comment
Friendship
Traveling with you was remarkable, guys! When you left the hostel room saying you would think about my offer to go to Sao Paulo by car, my first thought was "They're gonna turn it down", but you didn't! And that's what made my trip to Ilha Grande so special. Ok, the island is extremely beautiful, but meeting new people was something I was really looking forward to. I'm lucky for you two played this role in story. A toast on friendship!