...week 2 in Brasil
Early in our trip Milli's Brazilian cousin Rodrigo gave us GREAT advise.
He said to do EVERYthing no matter how late you stay up or how tired you are.
"Sleep in the U.S.!" he said.
THAT became our mantra and EVERYthing we could do, we did!!
I think there were only one or two things on Milli and Alexandre's list that we didn't get to because of time.
Those two put their heart and soul into being PERFECT hosts and making sure we were filled to the brim with AMAZINGGG lifetime memories!
THANK YOU both from the bottom of our <3 <3's
...you two must stillll be exhausted!
x o x
OK so those who know me know I'm not much of a nature girl.
Sweat, dirt, crawling up my leg critters...just not my thing.
When it was waterfall day I considered staying at the apartment to rest my beat up swollen legs and feet.
...BUT
By this time my heart had learned to completely trust Alexandre.
In his calm soothing way he led us to beyond belief,
take your breath away, heart stop beating,
adventures and places.
We packed some snacks and off we went!
To think I may have missed THIS!!
My girl who lovesss both nature and her nature boy <3
xox
As if that waterfall wasn't magnificent enough...
Dear Dave and Alexandre practically carried me and my swollen legs up this steep rocky climb encouraging each step of the way
so my eyes could see....
!!!!
THIS!
And this!
Coaxing Dave in.
:)
Soooo wish now I would have been brave enough.
Well that's what life's about isn't it?
Lessons. Learning and growing.
Next time!!!
PERFECT day!!
Now I want to find allll the waterfalls around here and maybe just maybe...
be a Nature Girl!!!
Ahhhh
After the first week I found the MAGIC cure!
Coconut water!!
It's a miracle for re-hydration and has tons of potassium.
My legs and feet immediately shrunk back to normal!
Found it here in Wegman's and with each sip I'm right back there.
:)
Milli's city, Belo Horizonte, is known as the bar capital of Brasil.
Informal sit-down spots where multiple generations socialize, drink beer,
and often share something yummy to eat.
Our first stop...Fun, tasty, German bar.
Always taking care of us making sure we have theee best!
We shared lots of different things.
The traditional Brahma beer.
Dark beer with strawberries.
Coffee, sugar and rum spoons....mmmm sooo good!
...and these two had Brazilian car bombs!
We also had french fries with a wonderful German mustard and a bratwurst plate.
...when in Rome
....BRASIL!!!
"Sleep in the U.S.!!"
Poor Grandpa. We kept him going!
Not bad for almost 83!!!
Grandpa and Dave left 5 days before Lacy and I so Milli took us to one of her favorite places to find our smiles.
Afrodick Scotch Reggae Bar
You sit in cozy hammock chairs!
We were there from early in the evening until it closed at 3:00 am
Ohhh the girl talk those walls now hold!
X O X
Dancer girl :) It's in her bones!
We loveee this tile floor!!
And,
OHHH MY GOSH
Freud Bar
Lacy had read about this place on the internet. It has no address and is deep in the woods.
Alexandre took us there and it seemed like we drove and drove forever down windy dirt roads.
I kept reminding myself of my trust in Alexandre to always know exactly what he is doing but secretly I thought maybe we had taken a little wrong turn.
Sure enough he brought us right to FREUD BAR
An out of this world outside bar with tables on different levels and in even in TREES!, candlelight, great live music, fun interesting drinks, and amazingggg food!
So hard to explain. I felt like we were in a different dimension. That it only exists when you are there.
I think Lacy and I have talked about it EVERYday since we've been back!
LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!!!!
No words to explain how deeelicious this was!
These Brazilian were cold!
Sooo cute :)
Thank youuu AGAIN Alexandre!!!
<3
<3
After only two hours of sleep...Rodrigo!...we got up 5am Sunday morning to go to the much anticipated
Feira Hippie
Hippie Fair!!
It is organized every Sunday at Afonsa Pena Avenue between Bahia Street and Guajajara Street.
A huge handcraft street fair filled with clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, housewares, all sorts of traditional food stands and PEOPLE!
Milli's friend and our favorite booth!
We lost count at the number of these we all bought!!
And the beads. Oh the beads!!!
Half the weight of my suitcase was BEADS!
:) :) :)
Soooo much inspiration!
I bought a WONDERFUL copper tea pot from this man.
And a great pan and ladles here.
I sooo wanted a huge 2 handle one but we both decided in each of our languages and a bit of charades that it would be too heavy for the plane.
:(
I got the one on the left :)
My MIRACLE drink!!
Even puppies!
xoxox
After the Fair we went to Mother's Day lunch at Milli's Grandmother and Aunt's house.
Yet anotherrrr WONDERFUL event!
Everything was a delight to the eye and gave us all great creative inspiration!
Cyra, Milli's Aunt, is a marvelous artist. Not only with her beautiful embroidery but with ceramics, paintings, and eye for placement and color.
Cyra's painted plates. I want them!
Beauty at every turn.
Cyra's cups. I reeeally want these!!
A beautiful open environment where Cyra creates.
Cyra's world of color!
A treasure of a gift given to me by Cyra.
This rug is inspiring me to add more color to myyy world.
Thank you Cyra!!!
A Mother's Day I will never everrr forget <3
More FOOD
Easy Ice
Can't even count how many times we went there!
Soooooo wish we had one here!
Free self-serve tastes!
Acai with Milli's exchange student friends Sanna and Anna
Everyday our bodies crave Acai!
Even planning another trip to Brasil around it!!
Our apartment was right next door to a bakery and we had these everyyyyday...sometime twice!!
Pão de queijo
(cheese bread)
Lacy and I dream about them and are searching for the recipe...if you have a good one I'll send you a surprise for it!!!!
Another FABULOUS lunch!!
Soooo charming
Open and welcoming
LOVE those copper pans and tiled wall!!
Window into their world.
One of my favorite photos of all
x o x
Alexandre's last gift to us before returning home.
Beauty, tranquility, and the most AMAZING Japanese food we probably will everrr have!
The whole restaurant was glass and I swear you could see all of Brasil!
Alexandre again taking such good care to choose the best possible for flavor and beauty.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beyond what can ever be imagined.
Really...Just look at all this!!!
A most fabulous grand finale for sure!!!
Obrigada to Milli and Alexandre and all our new friends and family who together made us fall in-love
and brought to us this incredible dream come true.
<3
I don't know if it's an Italian thing or just the way my Dad grew up, but we never say good bye.
"So long" we say.
Temporary with the promise of return.
Tanto tempo Brasil.
Sleeping in the U.S. for now.
Sua canção permanecerá no meu coração para sempre.
Agradeça-o Pai. Amamo-lo
Without you Dad this dream come true could not be possible
Loving you with all our grateful hearts <3
xox
