WanderingWhy…

It’s hard to believe our month in Brazil is already over. We’ve had a great time here thanks to a couple people who were kind enough to help out these wanderers.

When we first arrived, we were stuck in the typical dumpy hostel in an area of Rio I had no plans of staying in. Not a big deal, but the price was–we were blasting our budget and not doing anything but cooking our meals in the hostel and researching apartments for the month. I seriously thought we might have to retreat back over the border to Argentina.

My first day in Brazil I got up early, slammed 3 cups of Brazilian coffee, and headed straight for the jiu jitsu academy. I figured someone there could help me find a place to stay nearby before WD sounded the retreat to Buenos Aires. I was stressed from the long bus trip, the fact that WD did not want to be in Brazil, and the money we were hemorrhaging.

The instructor at the academy called an American friend, Dennis, to see if he could help us out. Dennis doesn’t know me from Adam, yet he assured us he could help us find something and not to worry. It was at this point, as I was grinding my molars, I realized Brazilian coffee is a bit stronger than what I’m used to. Caffeine toxicity coupled with the uncertainty of my future in Brazil and Dennis probably thought I was I on the verge of a seizure.

We continued the apartment hunt on our own and got nowhere. A couple of days later Dennis came though for us and introduced us to Vera, the mom of another student at the academy. Vera was willing to rent out the entire first floor of her home for a great price. Vera’s home is truly incredible and only a five minute walk to the academy. Perfect.

Dennis not only helped find us a place to stay, but helped me find Gordo’s Academy, got me a deal on a gi, explained how the buses work, gave me the number for a reliable cab driver, and was available for favor after favor.

Vera was more like our Brazilian mom than a landlady. She constantly asked how everything was, drove us to the mall for fear we would get lost, made us homemade cake, treated us to Feijoada, had her housekeeper drive us to the Christ Statue and Pedra Bonita to see the hang gliders launch, and gave us a huge surprise farewell breakfast. She is looking for more tenants and we highly recommend a stay with her, it was the best of our entire trip.

I can’t say enough good about both of these people, they really helped to make our stay in Brazil. The more we travel, the more I am blown away by the generosity and kindness of strangers that soon become friends. Thanks again to you both.

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