Brazil’s Metropolis

Oh Säo Paulo, how I love and missed thee. It’s big, tall buildings, great subway system, fairly clean and organized, interesting architecture. it’s closed restaurants only for take out. Fresh air, perfect in the daytime and slightly chilly at night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3IzXykhVQA

A Rutina

Daily routine: edit video, study Portuguese take hot shower, go take the subway to a location to film with the drone. Return to the hostel, eat dinner study Portuguese, some Spanish, and edit video. No beer, no weed, and for the last 3 days no news, no Youtube, and no social media. Man, I’ve been yearning for this lifestyle. Only thing missing is a girl. I walk around and see many girls that I want to talk to but I haven’t got up the nerve. Soon, I will. Sink, swim, success or crash and burn I have to do it.

Jumpers

Today I did some droning off of a bridge when I noticed a group of people with “mountain climbing equipment” it looked like they were bungy jumpers. I approached them and they said they were jumping off the bridge and swung from one side to the next. Whoa! “Can I film you? I have a drone!” I got some terrific video of the jumper/swinger.

Social Development

I still haven’t got up the nerve to talk to a girl and ask her out. I’m scared of the strange and uncomfortable situation and yes possible rejection, but fuck, I’m 47 and time is running out to settle down, get married and have children. I have to get over my fears and talk to a girl that I don’t know. Approach a girl in public and make small talk. My future depends on it.

Drug Free

Other than that my days have been excellent. No drinking or smoking and exercising regularly. I’ve been running almost everyday and it’s hilly here so I’ve been running up hills which both hurts and feels good. I love it here in Sao Paulo the spider web of metro lines allows me to explore the city with ease. There’s so much to explore, and film.

A First Step

So I finally talked to a girl in public. But it was a begger, at least that’s a start. She approached me for money I gave her some, but also asked her some conversation starter questions like, “What do you like most about living here?” and “What are you most passionate about?” She was very receptive and happy to answer my questions. It was a positive interaction. I’m happy.

Waterfalls, Big Ones

At the bus station heading to Foz do Iguaçu. There’s waterfalls there that I’ll drone, plus it borders Paraguay and Argentina, gunna investigate how or if I can enter Paraguay. I would like to spend a few months in that country after Brazil, if not then I’ll boogy back home.

There’s really nothing to write about that I haven’t wrote about earlier. If I approach and talk to girls and ask them out, then I’ll have something to write about. Even if I’m rejected that’s still something to write about.

Randevous James Bond Style

I was at a rest stop during the 16 hour bus ride from Sao Paulo to Foz do Iguaçu when I approached and spoke with a fellow passenger as we were waiting to get back on the bus. She was from Foz do Iguaçu. It was a good conversation, nothing profunde, just small talk, but it’s a step forward in my developemente, to be more social, to initiate the interaction.

Depart the Interior of South America

Well mission accomplished. I came, saw, and left. While in Foz de Iguaçu I filmed the Iguaçu waterfalls, crossed the border into Paraguay which allowed me to find out exactly what I would need to travel there as a tourist. They want proof of neg covid test, vax for yellow fever, measles, international travelers insurance and to pay a visa which is about a 100 dollars. I wont be going to Paraguay after all. Also, while in Foz do Iguaçu I continued my habit of running. It seems like I experience my first “runner’s high” I knew it would happen someday, and this is after years and years of running. It’s always been a pain in the ass, yet I knew if I continued with it someday I would learn to like it.

Now I’m on a 20+ hour bus ride to the coast.

The Brazilian Coast

Fast forward about 3 weeks: I spent 2 fun filled weeks in Santos and a few days in Cambury, a secluded beach surfer down surrounded by lush temperature jungle. There’s nothing like this in the United States. It’s a mix between Hawaii and California.

And I love Santos. It’s like a more gangster version of Ipanema Rio de Janeiro. It’s a gritty beach town and people walk around with surf boards. I’ve befriended locals. The first one is Caio and he works the front desk in the Pousada. One day I filmed him and his buddies catching waves with a drone. He invited me to spend the weekend with his friends I’m digging them. I asked one of the girls out, Bruna, but she said she was busy. Perhaps I’ll try again. I’m looking to pick up a girl, but I need to make the first few moves.

Conclusion

I’m not looking forward to returning to the States in June. I would like to remain in Brazil until the money runs out.