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The last sunset

Diamond Carnival, Thu, 22 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Museum, Temple, UNESCO site in Brazil, South America

I arrived to Salvador as planned, 6:30am, after a night of reasonably decent sleep – as good as one can expect from sleeping on a bus. After checking in to my AirBnB, I set off to spend a day walking …

Naked trekking

Diamond Carnival, Thu, 22 Feb 18
Simon at a Mountain in Brazil, South America

Today is my last day in Chapada Diamantina, and Juliana invited me for another trek, so I despite the low mood, I decided to go for it. We left early with her parents giving us a lift to the start …

Just sadness

Diamond Carnival, Tue, 20 Feb 18
Simon in Brazil, South America

I thought I would, but I can’t avoid it any further. I need to write this to be fair to myself and to the people I love. If this diary is how I will remember this time, I should be …

A private tour

Diamond Carnival, Mon, 19 Feb 18
Simon at a Mountain, Waterfall in Brazil, South America

It worked out! I met Juliana at 8:15 today and had a wonderful day with her. First we went to the Monday fruit market where I saw a number of things I never heard of – we ended up getting …

Smoke on the water

Diamond Carnival, Sun, 18 Feb 18
Simon at a Mountain, Waterfall in Brazil, South America

Last night the grandma next door really went for it. She talks to herself loudly every evening, but finishes around 10. Tonight she started again around midnight and seemed really angry, arguing with some imaginary adversary really loudly. Woke me …

Lazy days

Diamond Carnival, Sun, 18 Feb 18
Simon at a Mountain, Waterfall in Brazil, South America

Yesterday and today I did hardly anything at all, and it’s wonderful. I didn’t get out of bed until late, I caught up with some friends over the Internet, I read my book, hanged out in the hammock, made plans, …

All the views

Diamond Carnival, Fri, 16 Feb 18
Simon at a Cave, Lake, Mountain, River, Waterfall in Brazil, South America

Last night Binho and Railuz offered taking me on a fairly long trip today. After they left, I evaluated how tired I am and messaged Railuz that there is no way I can wake up early for that. But I …

So sleepy…

Diamond Carnival, Thu, 15 Feb 18
Simon at a Transit in Brazil, South America

The Salvador airport has no comfy seats. Nothing to sleep on. I arrived after midnight and really tried, but got virtually no sleep. My plan was to stay there as long as possible before I need to go to the …

The Loaf

Diamond Carnival, Tue, 13 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Mountain, UNESCO site in Brazil, South America

Today I got up late, horribly underslept after last night. But so happy! Humming the tunes from the parades I started packing up – tonight I’m leaving Rio. Eros agreed for me to leave my things until evening, since my …

The Night

Diamond Carnival, Tue, 13 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Temple in Brazil, South America

Tonight is the main parade night. Well, the one I got a ticket for, the parades have been going since Friday. But everywhere I read said this one is best, so high expectations!  I got up late, which is wonderful. …

Partying alone

Diamond Carnival, Mon, 12 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Sea in Brazil, South America

To be quite honest, as much as I love traveling alone, I really wish I wasn’t this time. It seems like I’m the only person who’s alone at this carnival, everyone is partying with friends, at least in couples! Everyone …

Really hot

Diamond Carnival, Sat, 10 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Sea in Brazil, South America

Wow. Just wow. Remember how I said Brazilians are beautiful? Beach, shorts, thong bikinis, water, chests, butts, muscles, sun, sweat, boobs, skin! Oh my gods! I think I had a sexy overload today. I can’t even. It’s. Yes. So much …

Somewhat stressful

Conference Trips, Diamond Carnival, Fri, 09 Feb 18
Simon at a City in Brazil, South America

4:30am it is. I seem incapable of sleeping beyond that time. Wake up and just lie there… Hope Rio will bring a change. My host from Rio, by the awesome name Eros, still didn’t get in touch with me. I …

Music in the city of artists

Diamond Carnival, Thu, 08 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Museum in Brazil, South America

Still can’t sleep. Today I woke up at 4:30 and was pretty much awake until I got up at 9. Many thoughts, but can has sleep pls? At least it’s getting properly warm now, 30°C is neat! Today I’m going …

Chill time plus some assorted observations from Sao Paulo

Conference Trips, Diamond Carnival, Wed, 07 Feb 18
Simon at a City in Brazil, South America

Before you begin reading, play this, and keep it playing as you read. This is the soundtrack of my life here now. Not much happened today. I had some online course catching up to do in the morning, then I …

Some city!

Diamond Carnival, Tue, 06 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Park, Temple in Brazil, South America

Is really cold today, one of the people at the uni made a point of remarking about it when I came in at 10:30. It’s 22°C. My kind of people! Entrance to the Uni Today was another day of university …

First uni day

Conference Trips, Diamond Carnival, Mon, 05 Feb 18
Simon at a City in Brazil, South America

My hosts at the University of Sao Paulo are quite chill. They agreed to host me three months ago and then never replied to my repeat emails asking for some details on what I’ll be doing there, whom I should …

An accidental parade

Diamond Carnival, Mon, 05 Feb 18
Simon at a City, Park in Brazil, South America

So many animals! The night was full of barking, meowing, bird songs, and a number of unidentified sounds. I woke up around 4am and only dozed for the rest of the night. I wonder when I’ll be able to sleep …

And off!

Diamond Carnival, Sun, 04 Feb 18
Simon at a Transit in Brazil, South America

The taxi operator girl laughed at me when I was ordering a taxi for 3:50am, said she wouldn’t bother going to sleep. I did and slept surprisingly well for a decent 5 hours. Good, I had enough sleepless nights recently! …