June 3rd 2011...

Ok so I can't remember the details in between arriving and leaving. So gonna try and summarise the first few months...
Right, well arrived at GIG and a good friend of mine collected me from the airport. We went straight to Ipanema where I was to stay with a host for the rest of my journey. (Well that was the original plan) She is the grandma of a friend of mine. She's a pretty cool lady, but can be a little fuss pot at times.
Anyhow I stayed there for one month, but I was still in holiday mode. Doing absolutely fuck all and spending money like hot cakes. But I didn't like the area, too many bloody gringoes walking around and it made me feel uncomfortable. I can't stand places where all these wealthy people are hanging around.

Praia de Ipanema, RJ

Well the following month my friend came to Rio and I ended up staying with him for a few weeks. Then I stayed at Botafogo for two weeks. Moving around a lot but I liked Botafogo the most. Had more of a community feel and they have really good bars there. I managed to find two private clients to teach English to and they were a real laugh. Both Vasco fans also, so that helped when talking about football. (one passion of mine)

Then in August I moved to Copacabana and rented a room. The landlady owned the apartment and had two rotating maids. One worked a week then the other would come in. Anyhow I stayed there until December. It was ok at the beginning. You know had my own shower room, they washed my clothes and cleaned my room etc. But then it started to get annoying. They wanted to know where I was going etc...

Sao Salvador, Largo do Merchado

Lagoa with Dan & Alex

Kinda pissed me off. Had an argument with the maid and the land lady a month before I was to leave. It was like a wrestling match you know handicap game two against one. I mean WTF. I have parents who ask me shit like this on a daily basis, aint no way I'm coming to RJ to be questioned by the gruesome twosome. So I just let them have their rant and just did my own thing which was work, go home and type up lesson plans and reports then go to meet-ups. I sound kinda boring... I know but I don't give two shits.