SolidTrip

Beach!

Salvador is a beach town. It’s just what people do here ALL the time. And who am I go to against that. So yesterday, like most Brazilians, I found myself on a really nice non-touristy beach: Praia da Boa Viagem. A few things about Brazilian beaches:

1. The swimsuit. Errr…it’s small, as in barely there. It doesn’t matter if you’re man, woman, fat, skinny, old young..when you’re at the beach, it’s ok to wear next to nothing. Beach means bikini for women, anything else is crazy.

2. Beer+Food. It’s just not a complete day without it. Beer is also outrageously cheap here. A bottle of beer costs about 2 reais which translates to a little less than a US dollar. Always a win.

3. Vendors. They walk around selling just about anything. Good thing too because I really needed some sunscreen. In the grocery store it was almost $20.00. I would rather burn. On the beach, it was only $4.

All this talk of the beach makes me want to go back. Hmmm, not a bad idea. Off to the beach!

(Wordpress is doing something weird with letting me add photos.)

12 hours in Salvador

I’ve now been in Salvador a little bit over 6 hours now. Despite my two nervous breakdowns on the plane, I’m adjusting. And starting with my walk over to this restaurant from the house, I’m staring to fall in love. So, here are my initial reactions of Salvador, including my misconceptions.

1. There are a lot of black people here and I mean a lot. So much so, that if I knew more than my 2 Portuguese words (Oy and obrigada) I would instantly be Portuguese. As in, people randomly come up to me and start conversations. This includes the woman cutting in the grocery line by pretending she knew me and was asking me a question. Ummm, ma’am, I don’t understand one word (no entiendo!) you’re saying, but clearly I know when someone is cutting a line.

2. The men are beautiful. And the women are very meh. I’m actually starting to believe that American men brag about the women in Brazil hoping that the women won’t go. Or maybe it’s the women in Rio (come to find out, it’s pronounced “hee-oh”)? In any case, I’ve never seen so many good-looking men. This list includes the men at the airport, the army out for a morning run, the police officers and the other random men walking the street. And if you dare to look at them, they won’t stop hounding you.

3. Everyone isn’t in shape here. I really thought there would be nothing but gorgeous bodies everywhere. Not true. Yeah, it shocked me too. Granted, I haven’t been to the beach yet, so I’ll report more about this later.

4. Heineken for $2.00 a bottle is always a win, especially when, as my dear friend would say, “this place is hotter than a hooker in church.” Regardless, count me in.

5. This city is a whole lot bigger than I imagined, but the house is in a great location. Very close to everything. And the view is better than anything I’ve seen in my whole life. For the first 45 minutes, I sat and just stared at the ocean. Also, I just sat here trying to figure out how to describe how undescribable the sunset was and well…it’s undescribable.

6. I don’t like acaraje. Everything I read before getting here made it seem like I couldn’t leave this place without eating the damn thing. Well, I tried it and I actually hate it.This is clearly not to deter anyone from testing it out. After all, it only costs $1 or 2 reais.

7.  I need to learn how to say at least 5 phrases in Portuguese. I suck at this language and not a whole heap of English is spoken here. It makes things peaceful, except for when I need something. Then it’s like Ricky Lauss snatched my phrasebook.

Well, that’s it for now. Did I mention that my day was really filled with trying to find Internet and these are just the random thoughts that I happened to have on the way…

To Salvador I Go…

In about 10 hours I’ll board a plane headed to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Well, actually, the plane is headed to Miami and then I’ll jump on a plane to Brazil. But I’m thinking that you get the point. So here’s what I’ve been up thinking most of the night (because why would I possibly sleep):

1. What am I doing? Who just gets up and goes on a plane to South America by themselves? Am I completely insane? What will I do there by myself? (These thoughts keep rotating over and over.)

2. I want to dance. I wonder how I can squeeze in partying, beach and work.

3. I must work. Hmmm. That is the goal after all: to be able to work anywhere in the world. Can I really concentrate on work in Brazil?

4. I don’t know any Portuguese. I’m not sure those YouTube videos helped at all. I wonder if I have enough time to pick up a phrase book.

5. The internet better effin work. (see #3)

6. The Brazilian embassy better not screw me. I need my visa.  Oh oh OH! They better not screw me.

7.  Am I bringing enough stuff? (I’ll cover this in another post, but I’m convinced I can fit everything I need in an overnight bag.)

8. I have a lot of shite to get done before I go and only 10 hours to do it.

Quick Recap on the Inauguration

The inauguration is over. Well, it’s been over, but since there were vendors selling “I was there” buttons as late as Saturday night, I don’t think I’m late with this message at all. Anywho, the inauguration is over. I’m certain it was a solid trip for those that made it. Even for those that were locked outside of the metro, hit by trains, stood outside in the freezing cold, were turned away from the parade or endured any other mishaps.

It was a good time. DC has finally simmered a little and most people are getting back to work. That means we will too. Still to come are photos from the Hip Hop Summit Inaugural Ball.

American Music Inaugural Ball Cancelled

The American Music Inaugural Ball was cancelled at the last minute. Not sure what the reasons are–I’ve heard everything from low ticket sales to closed roads.

However, I did shoot the Hip Hop Music Inaugural Ball last night. Everyone was there from T.I. to Russell Simmons to Don King…yup, Don King. I’ll have photos and more updates soon.