Almost a year hath passed...

Right, so I've just checked that my last post was back in July of last year.
A lot has happened since then, so please bear in mind that my recollection of events maybe some what scattered and hazy in some areas. So let's do it in blocks, commencing July til October.

Well, I had moved to Zona Leste a.k.a Zona Lost. When you take the metro from Down Town towards the east zone, you realise why... because it feels like bloody eternity before you arrive at any station on that line. Unbelievable! I swear I never saw ONE oriental person on the red line going towards east. I must've been the only moronic oriental. A friend of mine had offered me a place to stay for a month til I moved to another room. It's in Artur Alvim. Til this day, I still can't bloody pronounce it correct, It must be my oriental 'R's'.

Brazilian bbq

Home made cheese bread

Well I whilst crashing there, I was staying with a couple and their dog. Now, little did I know that as hosts Brazilian's are only hospitable towards for the first few days, then afterwards they go cold turkey. So I had to feel the wrath of the wife, whilst the husband was away on business. She pissed me right off! Telling me that in Brazil, when working I had to take more time over my grooming and the way I dressed. I wanted to slap her in the face with a huge fish. So I had to go all out in terms of my hair, make-up and my clothes. She even commented on my nails. Asking me questions like why don't I get a manicure. I wanted to reply 'why don't you shut up? You stupid cow!'. Shit like this to me, isn't necessary. So long as I look professional, clean-cut and do my job well. Who gives a fuck if I don't wear high heels! I don't want to hobble down the street or hold up a queue behind me when going up and down stairs, clunking away in heels.

showing off my R$30 manicure

We never argued, but I felt there was an air of hostility within the place. How she approached me to say these things annoyed me. But I thought, who gives a shit about her. She's a secretary, not the chief of being a beauty pageant. (not that i'd take beauty secrets from her anyway, the chunky monkey).

Moving on, well towards the end of the stay I managed to find a room towards the opposite direction of the metro line in Butantã.

Home of the snakes and the university of São Paulo, USP. Now upon going there, I thought to myself. Hmm this place looks cool. Peaceful, good neighbourhood, clean and a total difference to lost zone. But tons of students. I moved into a shared house. Which they call a republica. Little did I know that this place would be known as the 'house of fucking idiots'.

At the beginning it was ok. Responsible adults who predominently worked. About a 1/3 of the house were students. Everyone was Brazilian, so I was the only gringa. A couple of gringoes joined the house later, a Korean & Peruvian.
Back when I went to university, I never went to the parties or hung around the student campuses. So this was the first time I'd experienced true uni life. I tell you, everyday people were drinking cans of beers, by the shit load. Drinking it like water! Every other week there was a bbq here. Now Brazilian bbq's are much different to the western bbq's that I'm accustomed with. Here, they have chicken hearts. (which are puny), cuts of meat, garlic bread, chicken wings and linguiça (sausage). They just love bbq's here. The meat here is cut and divided into small pieces for everyone. They love sharing here.

Fastforward a couple of months, to when I was leaving. So there were Brazilian's in the republica from the north-east Pernambuco, Ceara, Bahia, Minas and one girl from outer Rio. I found after my 4 months there that Brazilian's can't be trusted. They are huge perverts. They drink too much. Spend too much time watching soap operas. Love eating rice & beans and roast meats. Adore bbq's and unreliable. ONLY according to what I experienced whilst living there. Not all are like this, but this bunch were.

Rong He massa

Whilst at that shit hole, I did manage to go escape a see a little of Down Town better. I went to Liberdade to mingle with my so-called family members. I visited the Chinese restaurants there & sampled the cuisines. There are two good Chinese restaurants there called Rong He massa. Specialising in fresh Chinese noodles made live. With the chef wearing the huge white hat and throwing the noodles around. They are the only restaurant that does 'dim sum', but it looks horrible. Like a child made it. As you can see from the photos, top left horrible siu mi, deep fried chicken, Yakisobba & Chinese greens with oyster sauce.

I went here with the fella about a month ago and waited an hour before getting a table. Fella said I ate like a horse... well not surprising after a 45min wait & back ache.

Chi Fu

 The other restaurant is next to Liberdade metro station, called Chi Fu. They have the traditional red & gold decor, staff wearing the traditional dynasty Chinese attire, circular tables AND traditional rude Chinese staff. I tell you, when they realise you're Chinese as well, you get service with a smile and they are much nicer to you. That's why each time I go there with my Asian gang, I always order the food in Chinese.

Food left-to right: Yakissoba, mussels in ginger & spring onion, greens with Chinese sausage, fried king prawns in spring onion, Cantonese roast duck and finally deep fried milk.

Yakissoba is better at Rong He, but Chi Fu have a better range of roasted meats & traditional dishes.

Ok, now that I've finished being a food critic. This chapter is finished for now... tbc