BLACKOUT

Tuesday night we got into a Taxi and went to visit our friend Guilherme. Guilherme is a make up artist. He has know Toni for awhile. He is short, pale skin with dark hair and eyes. He lives in Tijuco. It was a pretty active and urban area but a little far from Copacabana. His apartment was really nice though. It was on the corner of the fourth floor with two walls of windows facing the busy street. It had high ceiling and recessed lighting. The kitchen and bathroom were pretty modern and he has two large bedrooms. We talked for awhile and then walked to the metro. We were going to Copacabana to meet our other friend Jean Willis and then on to Le Boy bar.

Le Boy bar is usually Karaoke night but unfortunately there was a birthday party there. Toni wanted to stay and watch the drag show anyway. We stood in the back and ordered Whisky and Red bulls. Jean and Guilherme got bored and went next door to La Girl. The show was ok. There was a few songs in English. Of course one of the girls did THAT song from Dreamgirls. There was a cute guy that did a strip tease in the middle. He got totally naked and just kept his hand over his thing. After the show we went to La Girl which is by the same owner but is geared more to the lesbians, which you probably figured from the name. There was a lot of guys there so I guess it's pretty mixed. Guilherme and Jean were hanging out in the front by the bathrooms. Toni paid for 4 beers at the door. One of the things you find in South America is you pay for drinks in one place and then order them at the bar with the receipt. We went to the bar at the back and got our drinks. When we came back Guilherme was making out with a pretty hot guy. I guess these two are kind of players. We stayed for awhile and left around 2 am. We were driving in the direction towards home and I noticed two police cars and another car pulled over. Well our Taxi driver who I guess thought we were shady pulled over. Lucky us got to be checked for drugs. The one police man started putting his hands in my pockets. I really didn't care because obviously I was caring a brick of coke on me. Toni said they are only suppose to pat you down so he started arguing with them. The guy was pretty thorough. He checked my socks, in my boots and in my wallet. When we got inside Toni started complaining to the Taxi driver because we could have avoided the whole ordeal.

The next day Toni had to work in Copacabana. I went to and walked around for about three house. I walked up the beach and around to some shops. Toni called about 1:30 and I went to his clients house for lunch. It was rice with a chicken Burgundy sauce. For dessert a caramelized banana with ice cream. After lunch they finished the ladies hair and we took a bus back home.

That night we were watching TV. I was waiting for my TV show to be on at 11pm. It was Fringe on the Warner channel. Of course half and hour till me show all the lights go out. We looked outside and all the lights were out in the neighborhood. Toni called Marcelo and found out the lights were out in Mesquita two. We started drinking beer and playing Chess by candlelight. I beat Toni 3 out of 4 times but he did really good for a new player. At around 1am we went to bed. Thank god it was not too hot. At around 5 am the bedroom light came on. I woke Toni up and we checked everything.

In the morning I made breakfast for Toni. I made Coffee. I made breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese and Ham. I served it on the traditional Portuguese roll. I also made toast and Jam.
After we ate we took a taxi to the main post office. We had discovered that my one box had arrived but they had opened it and decided that I needed to pay duty. We paid the $100 Reais and took everything home. At least nothing was broken and only one little item was missing.

Toni warmed up left over from the night before and we went to the pool. On the way there I noticed that if you look over from the parking lot you can see the Christ statue on the mountain. The pool was great. There was only a father and son there. I am practising swimming under water more. After watching Poseidon with Toni I have decided if I am ever in a sinking ship situation I better be able to hold my breath. Toni told me that the blackout had affected 18 states of Brazil. Two of them being all of Rio and Sao Paulo. I was glad it was over.

Mercado

Today we woke up a little late. Toni had a client coming in to do mega hair which is about a 5 hour process. It takes two people so his hair partner Marcelo came. It was his regular client, Claudia. Toni asked me to make lunch. I went down to the Mercado, supermarket, and got my cart. Everything was going pretty smooth until I went to pick my can of tomato sauce. The cans are different there. They are closed with air pressure so to open it you peel off a rubber stick off the top just comes off. Unfortunately I went to shake one to see if it was sauce or stewed tomatoes and the lid flew off making a huge mess of the whole wall, my cart and my feet. Not wanting to explain what happened in Portuguese I did the most naturally thing...i fled. I went to the nest aisle. Kind of tried to wipe my feet off. I had to ditch the cart and get a new one. I don't know why these things happened to me. The only saving grace is I was along...otherwise I am sure this would be a great story for Toni to tell his friends. The crazy American that made a mess of the supermarket. I paid and left as quickly as I could. At home I made the sauce and the spaghetti. I think it was a success but Toni might of only have been being nice to me.

Hot days in Brasil

The other day we were planning on going to the beach but then the lady that runs the condo called and said we could finally use the Pool. The condo is at the bottom of a hill. Right behind is two levels of parking. The pool sits on the third level and then above the pool is a fenced in soccer field. We walked up to the pool. It's a pretty large square pool with a separate children's area. There is a young pool guy who is in charge of the pool. The pool is open 9am to 5pm everyday but Sundays. The only thing is like I've said you need an authoriztion card so any would be vistors that come to stay with us will not be able to use it. There were a few other neighbors there. This seems like probably were we will get to know our neighbors.

Friday and Saturday Marco and Marcelo were coming to stay with us. Marco and Marcelo are Toni's old roommates and Marcelo is his hair cutting partner. We went to Copacabana Friday during the day. We finally applied for my CDF at a post office. We had gone to a bank twice to apply so It was funny that in the end all we had to do was go wait in line at the post office. Also the lawyer had said it would cost $250 but at the post office we only paid $5.50. Afterwords we did some more errands and then walked to the beach. After the beach we went to some stores and finaly bought a Air Conditioner and a fan. The past night had been really hot so this was a necessity. When we got home we had to rush because we were all going to dinner with Helena. We changed quickly and then went to Bate-papo. Helena had surgery the next day so she only drank one glass of wine and water. Me and Toni started drinking pretty strongly with Caparinhas and then two whiskey and red bulls. The night was a little shorter then normal so we went to Ipanema to a restaurant and had a little food and beer.

Marco had to work at home, in Mesquita, the next day. The three of us went to Copacabana and met Helena, Daughter of Antonia. We all went to the beach. We have been going to the southern end of the beach where the waves are a little less strong. Unfortunately there is also more garbage too. Toni had to leave at 4pm for his 3 hours English class. Helena left also. Me and Marcelo stayed at the beach for awhile and then we walked up the beach boardwalk. The boardwalk is a pretty active place. There are a lot of little resturants as well was venders selling everything from draft beer, Churros, popcorn, corn on the cob and hot dogs. There are also men selling beach towels, shirts, hats, towls and hand crafts. The sidewalk is pretty wide and there is also a lane for people to run, ride bicycles or skates. We met Toni after class and went to the supermarket for more beer and food. That evening we had drinks with cheese. crackers and some other light snacks. Luezia came over too. We watched all our videos ...Vaneessa da Mata, Tribalistas, Whitney Houston ( Toni's choice not mine ) and Madonna ( My choice not Toni's )

Sunday We all went to the beach again. It had been hot the last few days so the beach was the best place to be. We all went into the water a lot. At first we were at Arpoador. The beach was smaller but packed. Marco and Marcelo went to the water. Me and Toni were sitting there when all of the sudden a wave of people came running from the direction of the water. People were yelling and running like crazy. I thought there must be like a tidal wave or a shark sighting. Toni and me grabbed our stuff and ran to the boardwalk. Some tourists came up to me for an explanation but I had no Idea. Some people said it was a Bariga, which means belly in Portuguese. Toni then explained it is also slang for street fight. Marcel and Marco came up to us and we walked down to the gay area of the beach in Ipanema. At least the gays never have street fights. More people came to join us during the day. Andres and his family who were relatives of Marcelo. Jean Willis, Toni's friend, showed up with two of his friends. Me and Toni had fun in the water. Since the area was gay we could hug and kiss and not worry about strange looks. After the beach we walked to Copacabana and went to one of the restaurant on Atlantic avenue. We ordered Churrasco for all of us. When we got home I was exhausted. I was also sun burnt on my shoulder. I happily went to bed early.

Quem sou eu.

I have been writing this blog for a couple weeks now. I have been keeping it pretty light. It still seems like I am on vacation. It's been almost a month though and the vacation part is starting to come to an end. I have started falling into some routines. I get up early before Toni and start breakfest. I am getting use to not working even though strangly enough I do miss it. I miss the gym, even though I hate the gym. There are somethings here that are great and somethings I miss about New York. The bad part is that even when you aren't in New York you see it on TV a lot. I am constantly reminded of the cityby a gossip girl episode oryLaw and Order. New york is great. Rio is great too.

I am strangle getting use to being with someone in such close proximity. Keep in mind that I have never dated anyone seriously. Not been in any serious relationships in years. Now I am married and with Toni pretty much all the time. It seems to be working out good. He is still very happy I am here. He is patient and kind. He likes to take care of me. We are still very much in the honeymoon part of the relationship though.

I have to say I am slowly getting use to the intimacy of us. I am kind of a prude, Ohio upbringing. Toni pretty much walks around the apartment in silk boxers and leaves the bathroom door open when he goes to the bathroom. I guess this all part of marriage..hum?

We stayed in the house all day and cleaned. Hear that all you people that think this is one big vacation. Toni has to work early in Barra de Tajuca tomorrow. He is coming back in the afternoon. The women that owns are apartment has invited us to the beach with her. I guess we are going. Marcelo and marco are coming over Saturday to spend time with us. We all will probably all go to the beach Sunday. I do love the beach. It does make everything better.

A bite in the hand

Toni slept in till noon today. I got up around 10 and watched tv. This has become my habit since Toni seems to need more sleep and I like the quality time watching tv and petting the dogs. When Toni got up he made us cheeseburgers for breakfest. After we took the dogs out and got ready to leave. We decided to run errans in Copacabana. First we went to the bank. I have been trying to get my CPF. A few days ago a lady said that Toni just needed something with a proof of his address. After talking to two people we found out that this was not the case. We would have to call our lawyer later in the week. Next we went to a doctor to have our skin checked out so we can use the condos' pool. We had wanted Toni's' friend to do it but it never panned out. This took about a second for him to look us over. Ask our names. Finally print out a paper. Next we went to Loja American because i only had t-shirts and I was getting the feeling some tank tops might come in handy. I found three. Toni picked out some boxers. I found another swim suit. We then left and went to the supermarket. We were only going for beer and bread but ended up with a cart full of other things. We jumped in a taxi but headed toward Rio Comprido right at rush hour. It took us half and hour to get home. Toni gave the doctors papers to the condo lady and she said we could use the pool the next day. Hurray. Toni started to make dinner and I played Silent Hill on Playstation. One of Toni's' clients showed up and he did her hair. While I was sitting there playing I felt a sharp pain in my hand. I looked down and a bee had stung me. I had never had a bee come into a fourth floor apartment before. This had never happened in New York anyway. Toni helped me get the stinger out and poor alcohol. I then had to play with ice wrapped on my one hand. Toni had another client came. Well at least he is working.

Gay Pride Rio and All saints day.

Sunday was Gay Pride in Rio. Toni had to do some make-up so I was suppose to go with Marco and Marcelo. They canceled because they decided to do Churrasco in Mesquita instead. When Toni woke up Sunday he was really hung over from the night before. I made us breakfast and made him drink water and aspirin. We took a Taxi in the afternoon to Copacabana Palace, probably the most famous hotel in Rio. Toni left me to do the makeup. I walked to the parade which runs up Atlantic Avenue. This is the main street along the beach and usually any major parade goes along this route. Unfortunately it was a rainy day. Fortunately unlike New York alcohol is readily available ...from vendors selling beers to men walking around with bottles of whiskey selling shots. There is also a lot more skin with guys running around in just speedos. I walked around for awhile and then got bored. I bought 3 beers for 5 reais which is a pretty good deal. The crowd was in a good mood, even though the weather was bad, everyone was still pretty happy and drunk. I went to wait for Toni but he was late. The parade started which was really people dancing down the street and several large trucks with guys dancing on them. Finally Toni came around 2 hours late. He said he ended up doing 5 girls make-up instead of 1. We went over to Helena then because Antonias' daughter was going to a wedding and needed her hair done. That took about an hour then we went to a restaurant by the beach. There were still a lot of people out. Toni says usually there is a drag show on the beach. I was tired though and we didn't see one so we ended up going home. Well after a few beers anyway.

The next day was all saints day. We took a Taxi to a church and lite candles for all the dead souls. Afterwords we went to Ipanema beach. Since it was a holiday the beach was pretty packed. We went to the gay section so there were a lot of hot guys in speedos. Toni saw some friends and his friend, Whom we call Amy whinehouse, was there. We drank beers and talked. I went into the ocean a lot. It was a pretty hot day and the water felt great. It was still cold getting in but once you got used to it, it was great. There was a lot of other people in the water too. Toni came swimming with me which he had only done one other time last February. After the beach we had dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in Ipanema. Afterword we returned home. I was ready to wash off the sand and relax with Toni watching television.

HALLOWEEN

Saturday was Halloween in Rio. It is not to big of a deal here. I didn't see anyone dressed up in the streets or anything. We were invited to a birthday party for Marcelos sister, Pehna. It was in Mesquita so unfortunately we had to travel an hour and a half away. That afternoon Toni had to go to his English classes so afterwords we bought Beer at the supermarket and took a Taxi home. We quickly got dressed. I though we would wear normal clothes but Toni wanted to dress up. Since this was extremely last minute we just threw on some black slightly goth things that we could then say we were vampires. Lucia came over and the three of us took a taxi. The trip is a little expensive but we all wanted to drink and we did not want to spend the night. We got there in the evening and started drinking beer. Family members and neighbors came over. It was the usual loud samba and dance music. There was a lot of snack food. Everybody was very nice. I am starting to speak a little more but in a loud crowded party it can be a bit hard. Toni got upset because he though I was checking out this young neighbor. Leave it to Toni to be jealous of a boy from Mosquita. Around Three in the morning the Taxi came to pick us back up. I was pretty tired in the backseat so I just looked out the window most of the way home.