Leaving Maceió...

The first week here in Maceió felt like an entire month, just trying to absorb learning a new language, meeting new people, gettin settled into the family I've been living with and getting somewhat familiar with the surroundings. Well, now it feels like I've only been here two weeks, even though it's been almost 5 weeks. I was supposed to leave last saturday, the 29th, but I had too much stuff going on and I hadn't planned my first few weeks on the road so I' ve been hanging around. And of course, the other reason is that I don't really feel like leaving. I've been fortunate to have made some real friendships here and even though I do want to explore the rest of Brazil, I've made a home here. 

But another big reason for me staying here a few extra days is that I'm waiting to get this illustration from my teacher. His name is Pedro Lucena and this guy is an amazing artist. Check out his flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrolucena . Just when I arrived to Maceio he had an exhibition of some of his work, which was of course sold out in a matter of days. There was some pieces that I loved and wanted to buy, so he said that he'd would make me an original piece inspired by the stuff at the exhibit. I'm so stoked to see what he's made! I'll get the illustration tomorrow, just before I head for the rodoviaria (bus station) and catch the bus to Acarajú. It's a small city/village between Maceió and Salvador. It's a 5 hour ride, so I'll stay there for the night and check out the village and beaches during the day before leaving for Salvador in the amazing state of Bahia!!! The rough plan for the rest of the trip down to Rio de Janeiro is as follows:

Salvador -> 

Morro de Sao Paolo -> 

Camamu & Itacaré -> 

Arriala de Ajuda (with day-trips to Trancoso and Caraiva) -> 

Caravelas & Parque Nacional dos Abrolhos (Protected park consisting of a set of island, with shallow coral reefs and amazing beaches I've been told. As no one is allowed to stay on the islands overnight, I'll be sleeping in a hammock on the boat under the stars :-) -> 

Vitoria -> 

Rio de Janeiro

I'll stay one night in Rio, meet up Eva and the next day we fly to Argentina for a week. We'll be back to Rio in time for New Years, which is gonna be sick! 1+ million people dressed in white on Copacabana and Ipanema with big bands playing music all night long, with a break for the new years countdown which culminates in a huge fireworks show over the water!!