Salvador

I arrived after a grueling 32 hour bus ride, that actually made me sick.  I tried to piece it together and finish out the trip strongly, but I just felt awfully.  So, the next morning I gave it a go, and after walking around with a Swiss guy for a couple of hours I had to go back to the hostel and collapse.  That night, I got up and walked around very briefly with the Swiss guy, but eventually had to go to bed.  The next day I felt a little better, and left the Swiss guy to take a long walk around the city to the beach.  Honestly the city is kind of a piece of shit, and I think seeing such poverty and decrepit buildings only makes me want to go home more.  Sure, the historical center was really nice, but it is fake as well, and the real Salvador isn't worth visiting.  I went to bed early that night reading instead of going out.  My final full day in the city I walked to a lagoon in the center with jogging paths around it.  It was not very nice, but pleasant enough.  Unfortunately it was surrounded by slums, and then it began to rain.  After |I got back and weighted out the rain I just sort of wondered the center looking for something to buy Jake to thank him for helping me, and killed the rest of my time.  That evening I went for dinner and a few drinks with a German guy I met in the hostel.  The food was pretty good but the bar was plagued with beggars and was really annoying.  After two beers we headed out.

Today I go home, and in all honesty I am ready.  South America was sure interesting, but enough is enough, lets move on with life.

Ouro Preto

There isnt much to say about the city.  It is very pretty, but not much else is going on.  I spent yesterday just walking around and seeing the streets and churches.  I really liked it and people all seem happy.  After just walking for hours around the hills, I called it a night early.  Today I am going to go to Belo Horizone for a few hours and then on a night bus to Salvidor.  The end is near, and I am getting excited.

Rio

Rio was in short incredible.  I was there with the group of guys I had been with in Paraty nd Isla Grande, and we had a wonderful  week.  We started by hanging at the beach in Copacabana, and the next day headed to the Christ statue.  The next day me and Nizar (the Palestinian guy) went to the famous stairs and walked around quite a lot.  We followed this by going to a tour of the Faveas the next day, and then walking almost the length f the city the following day.  On the final day we saw the city championship soccer game.  It was such a neat experience with everyone so into it. 

Overall Rio is beautiful.  It is full of life in the day on the beach, and at night on the streets of Lapa.  It was just such a spectacular place it makes you realize why it was given the world cup and Olympics.  I could not praise the city more.

Ilha Grande

The Island was really nice.  I hung out with the same Israeli guys that I did in Paraty, and we had a nice time together.  We went for a hike through the rain forest, and saw an incredible beach, and then went snorkeling.  It was three really relaxing days.  While we learned nothing of Brazilian culture or society, we did just have fun.

Rio is next and the five of us are going together.  I am really looking forward to it.