Haviana VIP

Because I'm in Brazil I have to buy a pair of Havianas. I told Juliana this yesterday, and while watching TV last night she gifted me a pair she won from work a while back. They are very Brazilian.

It's raining in Sao Paulo. A lot. But I don't care.

I'm happy to be back in a big city with big city energy. My favorite part of big cities that I don't know is getting lost in them, even in the rain. Juliana thinks it's a bit crazy that I spent my day yesterday walking around with my jeans soaked up to the knees. I tried to walk to check out the ritzy part of town. I want to know what the Real Housewives of Sao Paulo are like though in hind sight they probably weren't walking around the streets in torrential downpours. I imagined that I was walking past famous Brazilian telenovela stars. What's funny about that is I wouldn't know a Brazilian telenovela star even if he or she walked up to me, punched me in the face and said, "I'm a Brazilian telenovela star".

I got very lost. It started raining harder. I refuse to use any part of my budget to buy an umbrella.

It is hard to get unlost in a city where you don't speak the language. I stopped a woman on the street under an awning where I was studying my map to try and self-locate. With my newly-acquired broken Portuguese skills I told her, "I speak very little portuguese". Then I pointed to the map and said, "where are we". She must have thought I said, "I speak fluent Portuguese", because she started a super-fast, super-one-sided conversation with me. I smiled, closed my book, said "thank you", and walked away.

As the novelty and fun of being lost in the rain wore off, I saw a huge sign above a shop that said, "CUPCAKE" and got very excited. I almost started crying when I got closer and saw that Cupcake is a clothing store. Why would they do that?

Today we start vacation. "Vacation!?" You say. "Bah?! Aren't you already on vacation?"

Today started with an in-home mani-pedi. I haven't had my nails done in a long time. And never have I had my nails done at home. But this morning, the manicurist was at the door, tools and polish colors in hand.

This afternoon we fly to Porto Seguro. From there we head to Praia do Espelho (Mirror Beach), where we will stay at Ju's boyfriend's beach house until Wednesday. Then we head back to Porto Seguro for Wednesday-Saturday for Carnaporto 2011, what is considered "hangover" Carnaval because it starts the day after the celebration ends in Salvador. I have spent an entire month's budget on the flight and entrance for this 3-day party and couldn't care less. But it could have been more if Juliana wasn't such a rock star. I feel like a vacation VIP. Here are the perks compliments of my Brazilian sister:

1. A free beach house to stay in on one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. 2. All-inclusive VIP tickets to Carnaporto 2011. 3. Local guidance, perspective and Carnaval hospitality. 4. A free 4-bedroom suite and all-inclusive food and drink package in the best hotel in Porto Seguro. 5. Don't forget about the free Havianas and how nice my newly manicured toes will look wearing them.

I have no idea what I'm in for except that the party goes from 7pm-7am Wednesday-Friday. Prepare to be blown, mind.