Encounters in RJ

So these are the people in RJ who I felt had made an impression on me. Good or bad, they all had an impact during my stay there. As I was staying in Zona Sul, I encountered a mixture of Carioca’s, Mineiros and a few gringos. It was good to explore different parts of the city and meeting new people. So all of these people I knew originally from the Internet, Couch Surfing meet-ups, meet-up group or were friends of friends.

Thank you Rio for the experience... we’ll meet again

Mr RJ- The studious and clever clogs one. Nicest person I’ve ever met in Rio. Also the longest person I’ve known. The problem towards my stay in RJ was managing to meet-up with him. But a very cool, funny and social guy.

Mr Welder- Good friend also. As he worked on a rig, he spent most of his time off-shore. Every weekend he always went to Lapa. He’s an American wannabe...

Mr London- I met this guy when I was in London. One of the people who ‘offered’ to marry me so that I could get a marriage visa. Yeah, not on your life! Marriage is for life, not just for visa. Anyway he only wants it so that he can stay in London. (Fat chance)

Mr Tarado- The health and safety inspector. His Facebook photo is of him posing next to a lifeguard stand. He thought he was David Hasselfhoff. ALWAYS a party he’s been invited to. The life and soul of a party.

Mr Captain- The good ole ‘born again Christian’.  Everyone has a friend like this. The one spreading the Good News of the Bible. He is the one always telling me to watch my mouth and stop swearing. I need a bottle of bleach to clean my mouth apparently. (lol)

Mr Apaixando- I didn’t understand about 60% of what this guy was telling me in Portuguese. He knew English, but wouldn’t speak a bloody word of it. I found him annoying, as he kept on staring at me. I was constantly thinking to myself ‘crap!’.

Mr Nerd- always one in the group! (again). Wanted to study IT, wore the stereotypical glasses, funny hair, t-shirt, jeans and trainers. Whenever he spoke English, he would sound like a ‘posh’ English person. Didn’t know if half the time he was being genuine or just taking the piss.

Ms L’oreal- a power lady, with a powerful position at a powerful company. First couple of times I met her, would speak in Portuguese. Then when I started giving her English classes, she would then speak English. She loved gringos. Always busy because of her work and hard to get hold of, but an extremely nice person.

Ms Baiana- important lady in an important company. I met her at a meet-up called ‘Aprender Ingles, learn Portuguese’. She was always in constant contact with me and checking to make sure that that I was doing ok. Pity I met her towards the end of my time in RJ, she became one of my closest friends.

Mr Braga- a friend of Ms Baiana, from Portugal. He promised to cook Portuguese food for me next time... so I’m holding him to that promise!

Mr Mineiro- the first of his kind I encountered. A bit of a chunky monkey, but he was ok. Though I did feel he was as sly as a fox. Didn’t trust the guy.

Mr Salgado- Joelho! When I was in RJ, we would meet almost every day and catch-up on events. We both worked as English teachers and were staying in Copacabana. I think it’s cos of him that my English has become infused with American English. (EW!) Every time we met, he would eat salgados. Bad influence on anyone who is on a diet- junk food addict.

Mr Marine- I know what you’re thinking. But no, he’s not gay. Very heterosexual. Nice guy who lived ‘over the bridge’ in Sao Goncalo. His English slowly improved towards the end. I gave him 3 classes and he was progressing well.

Mr Biscoito- Communicated with him for a couple of months online before we met in person. An extremely nice guy, who didn’t speak English with a Brazilian accent. We got along well as he had visited London twice and I enjoyed our talks about football.  I felt that he understood me better and knew exactly where I was coming from, as he had visited and lived in my city. It’s been difficult trying to explain my views on certain things or my behaviour, probably down to cultural difference. But he understood and I’m grateful for this.

He’s very passionate about the game and very loyal supporter of Fluminense football club. A guy you can definitely have good conversations with and a good time. He’s not just a pretty face...

Mr Forro King- Invited me to CCC Centro Cultura Carioca something something.  Was a pretty cool night, even managed to help teach my American and Aussie friend forro.