Throughout our weeks in Brazil, “Patch” and I took to collecting tid bits of advice that we will apply to future travels and, of course, use to help others learn from our mistakes. As follows:
(1) Make sure to take everything you’re told with a grain of salt, and follow your instincts. Example A: In Sao Paulo, all the locals told us how dangerous the Centro (where we were staying) was, but we never felt threatened. Yes, it is the degenerate hangout for the homeless, addicted, etc., but it’s also the historic part of the city and home to office buildings and restaurants galore. Example B: We’ve learned that many South Americans (not just Brazilians) would rather give you a wrong answer than tell you they don’t know. So before you set out on a three hour journey, get a second opinion (at least).
(2) Food. You will miss knowing what to expect at a restaurant/food stand – everything from when to pay, where to order, how to order, and what’s on the menu is different. Thank goodness, for those first two weeks which are the biggest culture shock, we had plenty of clif bars, cashews, and chocolate (thanks Grandma!) to get us by. However, there were many a time when we wish we had more. So the more non-perishable stuff from home you can drag along with you (and then save for the rough times) the happier you will be.
(3) Jeans – You’ll get a little dirty, but as long as you don’t plan on wild partying in the cities, you really only need one pair. Bring some back up athletic nylon pants or the pants-zip-off-into-shorts-combo, but anything else is just extra pounds to lug around with you. Also, the deeper the front pockets, the less likely you are to get your pockets picked.
(4) Pictures, pictures, pictures! – both locals and other travelers want to know about your life, and pictures are worth a thousand words. I had a few coal mine pics along with me left in my pack from my last travel excursion, but I would have loved to have pictures of friends and family and life back home. Having a picture of your home (both inside and out) is also a valuable aid in explaining how different things are (if you’re an American). We don’t build walls around our houses, and sidewalk design doesn’t vary by address.
(5) Toys – If you like kids as much as I do, pack around a few small toys with you to hand out on long bus rides or to a family you might get to know in a plaza somewhere.
(6) Sunflower seeds – this is probably a personal one, but thanks to the coal mine, I am permanently addicted to these things. In a pinch, I think they’re great for curbing hunger, plus they’re a little taste of home!
(7) Exchange rates – It would be logical to assume that if one dollar buys you two reais, and one dollar buys you eight bolivianos, then one reais should buy you four bolivianos. This is only true in banks and official places. On borders and what not, good luck! In the example above, one reais only bought three bolivianos, so it was better to change reais into dollars and then into bolivianos, then go directly from reais to bolivianos. All currency has a local market value, so do the math before you hand over your bucks!
(8) Don’t buy “Footprint.” I’m not saying “Footprint” is a bad guide book company, but I am saying they’re not a good company. So far “Lonely Planet” has delivered time and time again. Sure there are a few mistakes here and there – that’s true for every guide book. But, unless you’re looking for a guide where each chapter seems to be written in the same style as an eighth-grade book-report, “Footprint” is not for you. “Lonely Planet” is wonderfully organized, cleverly written, and will get you excited about your trip and help you prioritize your time.
That’s all for now! Happy Travels!
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