PHOTOS & FOTOS

Cancun, at last!
I'll post some cool stuff soon but on the mean time here's some Cancun photos for your viewing pleasure.
On another note, tomorrow, 28th of April, I'll be 35!

¡Cancún finalmente!
Espero postear mas cositas chulas/chidas/cheveres muy brevemente, pero entretanto, os dejo unas fotitas tomadas en Cancun para vuestro deleite.
Cambiando de tema, mañana 28 de abril ¡cumplo 35 añitos!


CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS / PICA AQUI PARA VER LAS FOTOS:



Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

(SUNDAY) DRINKING DAY

Everyone woke up today rather late.

After a quick breakfast, Alan and I, waked down to the beach, actually “walk down to the beach” ain’t the right term to use as we only had to walk for about 40 seconds to touch the water as the house was located on the beach itself. Anyways, quickly dressed down to my swimming trunks and jumped in the blue water of Progreso beach.

The water was so shallow so started walking into the ocean. Walked for at least 5 minutes and the water was still at knee level. I was dying for a proper swim so kept on walking. I guess I had to walk for 15 or so minutes into the sea to be fully covered with water.

Swam for a while then came back to the shore when Alan’s cousin Ana arrived with her girlfriends and a portable cooler full of beers.

Nothing better than more beer (“hair of the dog” as it’s commonly called in the trusted circle!) to cure any hangover.

Ana prepared me a couple of Micheladas, which is similar to a Bloody Mary but containing beer instead of vodka (Recipe: part beer part tomato juice with Worcestershire sauce, salt and lime). Ever so refreshing and tasty!

Never thought I would see a Worcestershire sauce based drink at this part of the world.

Back at the house, sat down where Alan’s parents and all the “parents and adults” were getting heavily hammered with all sorts of alcoholic drinks.

Got asked all sorts of questions about me, Portugal, Europe and my travels. Really cool and easy people to be with.

Someone offered me a vodka with coke, someone else a glass of Coco-fish, another cocktail with coconut water, gin, mint and sugar. Strong but very tasty beverage indeed.

I started to feel tipsy. Sunday seemed like a drinking day.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

BARRA LIBRE

Llegamos a la playa de Progreso, Yucatan cerca de las 9 de la noche del sabado 4 de abril.

Al entrar a la casa de playa, inmediatamente saludé a los padres de Alan (Roberto y Soledad) y después de una rápida introducción a los a los demás elementos de la numerosa familia, me duche y estaba listo para la noche.

Fuimos a un antro de nombre Ocean donde tuvimos que pagar 150 Pesos para entrar pero esa cuantidad incluía barra libre toda la noche.

A ver si lo entiendo bien:

Después de pagar 150 Pesos para entrar, ¿puedo tomar todo lo que quiero hasta que cierren el antro o hasta caerme al piso de borrachera?

Afirmativo.

O sea, lo tengo que tener clarísimo como el agua (o el vodka), ¿puedo tomar whiskey, vodka o ron con coca-cola toda la noche?

Afirmativo.

Guay pues!

La disco más barata que he estado jamás. La música estaba bien y la gente muy guapa y simpática.

A dentro platiqué con Michel, hermano de Alan y con algunos primos y primas (ya perdí la cuenta de cuantos primos tiene este guey!) y sus demás amigos y amigas.

Después de mucho beber, bailar, hablar y de jijiji jajaja nos volvimos a la casa con media botella de vodka.

En nuestra habitación durmieron como 8 o 9 personas todos en hamacas.

Uyyyy Pues a dormir que mañana viene la cruda (resaca)!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

NARCOCORRIDOS

By now I’m an expert in hammock sleeping. 3 nights and counting!

Early this morning everyone in the house left to Progreso, Yucatan for their 2 weeks Easter holiday. Alan had to visit a retirement home but when he returned his cousin Paula and her man Carlos came by and we all went on a 6 hours ride to join the rest of the family.

Carlos is an amazing dude with lots of insights about Mexico so he gave us all great attention-grabbing discussions. Also his taste of music is something else, as he educated me on Narcocorridos, which is a type of northern Mexican music that used to be sponsored by all the big local drug dealers.

The Corrido will narrate the story of someone or a group of people.

The Narcocorrido will in turn tell the story of a specific drug dealer or his gorgeous wife from his/hers early days on the street to his/hers demise either on a graveyard or in a prison, depending on the case.

This type of music has long been banned but their past glories are all in Youtube.

On that note I’ll leave y’all with a couple of these songs:

• Tigres del norte - La reina del sur
• Los Tucanes De Tijuana - Fiesta en la sierra

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

HAMACAS EN LA PENITENCIARIA

Volviendo del paseo, Daniel me explicó que los reos de las prisiones locales suelen construir cosas y venderlas, tales como muebles, comida, etc. y obviamente hamacas.

Como tienen mucho tiempo en sus manos, es una manera (con mucho merito) de formar a los presos para que puedan readaptarse en la sociedad así que terminen sus sentencias.

Nos paramos en la Penitenciaria de Villahermosa, Tabasco y intenté entrar pero los guardias me indicaron que ya estaba cerrada pero que yo podría comprar la hamaca de los vendedores que se encontraban afuera de la cárcel. Es más, los reos habían hecho las hamacas y dado a sus familiares para venderlas en su ausencia.

Empezó el regateo y al final me llevé una hamaca de colores verde y azul de talla king size por 450 Pesos.

Nuevamente en la casa de Alan, ensené (orgullosamente), my nuevo juguete a Alan y a su madre y decidí que ¡esta noche lo iba a estrenar! ¡2 noches pasadas en hamacas!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

POZOL

First night spent on a hammock. I’ve had afternoon naps on hammocks but never spent a whole night on one of them. Very comfortable, I must say. Last night there was a electric blackout, very hot night in Tabasco, plus there was no AC units in all the rooms, therefore it was decided to accommodate everyone in two rooms in order to have a good night sleep: Some people in beds, some in hammocks! Guess where I stayed?

In the morning, Daniel drove their CS guest Gabrielle and yours truly to Tapijulapa, Tabasco. A very entertaining drive: We talked about our experiences in China, lack of toilet paper in India and Gabrielle’s tattoos. Daniel pointed out several sights during our field trip, like sacred trees, miles and miles of banana trees, the Chiapas mountains and he also recommended a book which will (try to) explain the Mexican way of thinking:

 El Laberinto de la Soledad by Octavio Paz

I’ll search and download it online otherwise I suppose I’ll have to buy it in some bookstore. I haven’t read many books this year so this one sounds like a good choice.

Upon arrival to the village of Tapijulapa we walked up to the nearest bar to use the toilet and Daniel suggested that I tried a Pozol (traditional drink made with corn and cocoa).

Verdict? I supposed that if they would add some honey, sugar or something, it would make Pozol delicious, but as it stands: Not great at all. Mind you, I’ve had some really strong Yerba Mate tea in the past and that’s one bitter drink.

We took the taxi boat (150 Pesos) to our destination and asked the guide about the place and its sights. He informed that there aren’t many tourists so the place is rather tranquil. There used to be lots of buses full of tourists coming to this place but since the road got blocked that stopped. He mentioned the Sardine Festivity which is THE CELEBRATION to attend.

The boat moored us at our destination and we started our wonder into the jungle. Very hot day with high humidity so we were all sweating but even so Daniel kept his cool and pointed out cool trees and birds.

There was a long branch hanging down from this tree so I tried my Tarzan impression by swinging from it but failed miserably.

When we got to the amazing waterfall, all our pain and suffering was all forgotten and we felt like kids again. Actually, there were lots of kids bathing in the waterfalls so when I tried to have a swim they came round and bombarded me with lots of questions about me, my country, my travelling, etc.

Kids will always be kids so I didn’t mind it at all. Fun afternoon.

When we got bored of the waterfall (and the kids) we head back and spotted these ladies selling food so we decided to have a bite here instead of eating at the only restaurant in the village. I can’t get enough of Mexican food. I’ve been in Mexico for over a month and every day I eat something different and scrumptious. Unmistakably, we had some very tasty cheese pasties (empanadas).

A youtube Video (or some other webpage) with the walk and the waterfall to follow soon.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

OYE ¿DONDE ESTÁN LOS GANCHOS PARA LAS HAMACAS?

Llegando a la casa de mi CS host Alan, me dio la bienvenida y nos sentamos en el sofá platicando un rato. Hablamos de nuestras experiencias en España, Francia, Italia, Inglaterra y México.

Luego me dio el tour de su casa y como me habían dicho que hay muchas hamacas colgadas en todas las casas tabasqueñas, yo buscaba en las paredes a los ganchos. Alan me preguntó: “¿Qué pasa Paulo?” “Oye – le indagué - ¿donde están los ganchos para las hamacas?”. Se rió y me aclaró que no todas las casas tienen ganchos y hamacas por todo el condominio. Por lo tanto, en su casa hay hamacas y hamaqueros y eses (ganchos en las paredes) en las habitaciones y en la oficina de su padre.

Luego vino su madre y me la presentó. Como Alan tenía que ir a sus clases de la Universidad, nos metimos al coche y me dejó en la tienda Chedraui para que yo pudiera comprarme una crema de Aftersun (yo estaba más rojo que un camarón y me dolían mucho los hombros debido al solazo del día anterior). Con mi compra me metí en una combi bus (5.50 Pesos) y de pronto estaba de vuelta a la casa.

Platiqué un poco con la madre de Alan y envié un par de email a la miembros del Couchsurfing para ver qué onda había para esta misma noche: La función seria una cena y cuando llego Alan de sus clases nos metimos en su coche y dimos una vuelta por la cuidad por lo menos para ver los monumentos, las plazas principales y la Chichona.

A continuacion fuimos al restaurante a conocer otros miembros Chocos (tabasqueños) del CS. Sandra, Daniel + Lorena y su invitada Gabrielle, Marco, Alan y Paulinho! Toda la gente era de muy buena onda, charlamos, comimos unos ricos tacos y Daniel nos dijo que al día siguiente nos llevaría a visitar un pueblo tabasqueño. Volvimos a casa y descansamos. ¡Mañana promete!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

TAXI SHARE

Again today I woke up very early (hope I don’t have to do it too often!), took a shower and walked down to the Tuxtlas bus station.

Next destination: Villahermosa, Tabasco.

According to my itinerary I’d have to catch a bus to Acayucan then another one to Villahermosa. Hopped on a second class bus and 1h40m afterwards arrived at Acayucan bus station (49 Pesos). Asked for the ADO bus to Villahermosa but the Information desk informed me that the next bus would arrive in 2h30m so I’d be better off going to Coatzacoalcos (37 Pesos) and from Coatzacoalcos catch another bus to Villahermosa (80 Pesos).

This way I’d arrive at my destination faster and wouldn’t have to stand on the sun for so long. Decided to follow this reroute and managed to arrive at Villahermosa at circa 13h30.

Called my CS host Alan and after giving me directions to his house, jumped on a shared taxi (15 Pesos). The whole shared taxi concept is foreign to me as well many of my peers. The taxi picks you up and will briefly stop at certain points of the route and ask if anyone else is heading that way. If he picks up other passengers it means that everyone will share the full cost of the ride so you save some money.

I's like rideshare but with taxis and within the same town/city. Odd but useful. So far only seen this concept here in Tabasco County.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

ME AND THE ELEMENTS

Second day in Catemaco Lagoon.

Last night I took my clothes to a laundromat and got chatting with the owner. She asked what plans I had for Catemaco. I informed that I want to go where the lagoon meets the sea (Barra de Sontecomapan). She insisted that I would enjoy it more if instead I went on a Pirata (type of a pickup truck used to transport passengers in this area of countryside) to Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach) and walked all the way back to Barra de Sontecomapan. The beach hike would take me about 3 hours.

Thus, today I woke up at 7am and walked down to the Pirata’s station, where I hopped on a Pirata towards Montepio (20 Pesos). After about 1 hour, the driver dropped me off a junction and instructed me to walk down the 2km long path in order to get to the beach. Started walking, but shortly after had move out of the way of another pickup truck. The driver stopped and told me to hop on the back of the truck as he has going to the beach as well. A bumpy ride but a free ride nonetheless, we get to Playa Escondida. There I found out that the driver was the owner of the only hotel/restaurant in the vicinity. He informed me that there is usually not many tourists in this part of the coast, thus I would have the whole beach for myself. Great!

It was just after 9am so decided to have a Corona with some nachos for breakfast. Hey! I’m on holidays after all! Afterwards, with a cold bottle of water as my only companion, I began my 3 hours beach hike. What a ride! Only Paulo, the elements and the odd seagull. I would walk for a while then stop to have a swim. Repeat and repeat.

I’ll post a video of this amazing hike very soon.

3 and half hours later finally arrived at Barra de Sontecomapan, and had some rice with king prawns and chili sauce followed by a well deserved siesta in a hammock.

About 4pm took a taxi boat to Sontecomapan harbor (25 Pesos) and a Pirata (10 Pesos) back to Catemaco. Went back to Hotel San Francisco and crashed on my bed till the next day.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

PORTUGAL, ¿PAÍS Y APELLIDO?

Deje mis cosas en mi habitación en el Hotel San Francisco y me fue a dar una vuelta de reconocimiento. Volví al Malecón y seguí el sendero alrededor de la laguna. Llegue a un Spa llamado “Ecoparque La Punta” y entré. La recepcionista me estaba intentando convencer a comprar el paquete de servicio completo con 8 tratamientos por 450 Pesos, que os indico a continuación:

1. Mascarilla refrescante

2. Masaje para el cabello

3. Mascarilla súper nutritiva

4. Masaje con lodo tibio

5. Hidromasaje

6. Baño de vapor Temazcal (Del náhuatl tema, bano y calli, casa)

7. Baño con hierbas aromáticas

8. Baño de pies

9. Te de infusión de hierbas

Después me preguntó de dónde yo venía y le conteste: “Soy de un país europeo, seguro que Vd. no sabe su ubicación pero se llama Portugal.” Me contesto: “De verdad que no sé donde esta, pero le digo que me apellido PORTUGAL” Entonces vi que era mi deber hacerle un dibujo de Europa, explicando a Doña Portugal de donde provenía su apellido.

Del interior del Spa sale una señora cuarentona y inmediatamente le pregunté si le había gustado el Baño Temazcal. Sonreía: “¿Vd. que cree? ¿No me ve con un cutis súper limpio?” De veras que sí. Platicamos un rato y me explicó que Catemaco es un pueblo muy místico y que mucha gente viene aquí a curarse del mal de ojo, de enfermedades raras o a buscar hechizos de amor para conquistar algún hombre, entre otras cosas. También me explico que en México hay 3 tipos de Brujas:

1. Bruja buena

2. Bruja mala y

3. ¡Estoy bruja! (¡Estoy sin dinero!)

No me convenció el paquete y seguí caminado por la playa de la laguna. Encontré un bar de playa y pedí una Corona y una orden de anguillas (48 Pesos). A mi lado se encontraban dos chicos con mucha pluma escuchando unas canciones de un móvil. Uno de ellos cambia la música y el mas afeminado chilla: “¿Qué onda? ¡Estoy cantando guey!” El otro chico le contesta “¡Me das miedo guey!” A mí también, por lo tanto termine mi corona y volví al hotel para descansar un rato.

Pasé por una casa donde estaba mucha gente dentro y fuera, unos sujetando flores y todos vestidos de blanco. Pregunté a un chico ¿si ahí estaba una bruja famosa o era algo así como un entierro? “Un difunto – me respondió - un bebé de 4 meses. Tenía problemas de corazón.” Le dijo yo: “¿4 meses? Qué lástima, no ha vivido nada para ver lo bonito que es este mundo pero seguramente será recordado y amado por la cantidad de gente que ha venido a su velorio.”

“Así es, - me contesto con una lagrima - así es.”

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

¡BRUJO TU!

Llegué hoy a la laguna de Catemaco a las 13h30 en el autobús de la compañía ADO que me costó 140 Pesos. Me baje del bus con mi bolsa de viaje y me senté en la cafetería de la chiquita estación de autobuses, ubicada en el Malecón.

Una vista de primera línea de la gigantesca laguna. A principio se me hizo raro pues olía como a mar pero sin el típico tufillo a sal, pero después me encanto.

Mire en mi netbook los hoteles que me había apuntado la noche anterior:

• Hotel de San Francisco, Calle Matamoros 26
• Casa Rosa, Calle Matamoros 18

Dado que ambos sitios estaban cerca uno del otro, pedí un agua (4 Pesos) y pregunté a la mesera por la ubicación de la Calle Matamoros. Con un croquis apuntado en mi libreta, empecé a caminar hacia los hoteles.

Por el camino avisté un cartel indicando “SE RENTAN CUARTOS”. Entré y pregunté si lo tenían. El dueño me dijo que “sí” con la cabeza y me enseno una habitación que valía 120 Pesos. Súper chica, sucia y sin baño. Le dijo que iba a dar una vuelta y que se eso volvería en seguida.

Pase por muchas casas que tenían carteles de tarot, cartomantes, curanderos, chamanes, etc. Pensé “la gente se pasa un poco con este tema de brujería y superstición…”, subí por el Zócalo y al acercarme a la iglesia, un chico en una moto me grito: “¡Bujo!” Al ignorar que me encontraba en un pueblo mágico inmediatamente le contesté: “¡Brujo tu!”. Cuando me explicó que su trabajo era buscar clientes para los brujos locales, nos reímos un bien rato.

De pronto, encontré el Hotel San Francisco y la recepcionista me dije: “Los cuartos son 140 Pesos por noche, tienen ventilador y agua caliente pero infelizmente no llevan tele. Lo siento.” Bueno, creo que podré sobrevivir un par de días sin mis telenovelas ¿no?

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

UPDATES

Dear all,

Been procrastinating and having so much fun that my blog has been neglected for over a whole month.Thus, from hence forth, I’ll write a daily post with the events of the last 24 hours.Language related, do expect an English entry every other day. In regards to the month long lack of entries, do standby because I have a few surprises coming your way.

……………………………………………………
Muy querid@s mí@s,

He estado pasándomelo tan bien que mi bitácora fue abandonado durante más de un mes. Así, de hora en delante, escribiré un entrada diariamente acerca de los eventos de las últimas 24 horas. Cuanto al mes que no he escrito nada, esperad que tengo unas cuantas sorpresas preparadas. En relación al idioma, tendrán un post en Castellano día si día no.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

CHINA TOWN, THE COUNTRY

The bus journey was not that bad. I could moan about lots of things but the fact that matters is:

If there was no cheap bus I would have to source some alternative and perhaps expensive transportation so I’m glad that Greyhound exists.

Highlights of the bus ride:

• This lady told me that she didn’t eat Chinese food because they eat dog and other disgusting stuff in China Town. It begged the question: “”Which China Town in particular?” Her answer was “The country of China Town, of course!” Yeah, of course!
  
• Another guy, a rather friendly one, was leaving his home town for the very first time in order to spend some time with his buddies in Panama City. Very knowledgeable about videos games and movies. When I asked what the story of his home town was, his immediate reply was “I dunno…there’s a Mall, a Wal-Mart, a drive thru, that’s it man!”
  

What was the lesson learned on this long trip? China Town is a country (I should have known) and there are towns with no stories, but they will most definitely have big Department Stores.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

MIAMI FRIENDS

After waking up, played with my new laptop and as I couldn’t get any WiFi signal in the flat decided to go downstairs to the front door of the building in the hope of getting a better signal.

Bingo! Managed to put my new machine to a thorough and extensive test drive.

Later on, Reuben transferred some of the cools songs that I listened to on my stay in Miami into my new laptop.

This way, I’ll have some sort of soundtrack of my travels. Reuben had to help his younger brother move houses so said my goodbyes to my new friend.

Vicky was ever so thoughtful and took me to the Greyhound Bus Station. Hugging her good bye, I was ready to board the bus to New Orleans.

Rueben and Victoria have the most amazing friendship. They know each other since University/College days, call each other several times a day, share the car when needed and do their best to have meals together. I ‘m sure they will stay friends for ever and ever.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

BOYS ‘N’ TOYS

Woke up early with the bright sunlight hitting the window. Fully rested decided to go to the Miami Greyhound Station in order to collect my ticket for tomorrow’s 22 hours bus journey to New Orleans, Louisiana. Got my bus ticket and checked out some streets in town as well as Bayside Marketplace.

Back at the flat, Reuben and I went out again, this time to meet up with a German CouchSurfing girl called Franzisca, that was visiting Miami Beach. The three of us walked up to and had a beer at one of the bars.

Then Reuben drove us up to a Department store so I could buy my new toy: an Acer Aspire One, followed by an amazing takeout dinner with Chicken, fried banana and delicious Yucca drenched with Mojito mix at the very first Cuban neighborhood in Miami: Hialeah

That night we all went to a bar called “Ayer igual que hoy” where we shared a few more beers listening to some funky music.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

MENAGE A TROIS

That same evening, my host prepared a nice Cuban fish dinner as well as burned rice… ;-)

As Reuben informed that Vicky would be back soon I headed out to the nearest shop and got a bottle of Menage a Trois Rose Wine so we could wash it all down.

Ended up just being just me and Reuben eating and drinking so no Menage a Trois just for now.

Later on, knackered and with a full stomach, ended up falling asleep on my new CouchSurfing bed.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

MIAMI BEACH

The last part of the trip was to take a bus totaling this journey to 3 long interesting hours.

Finally I arrive at Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.

Decided to get a T-Mobile SIM card so I could at least be able to contact my future CouchSurfing host, be reachable and what not.

With a new phone number set up I called my host Reuben, who informed that he was just a few blocks down having lunch with his flatmate Vicky.

Shortly afterwards I joined them at this Latin restaurant. Reuben had this genuine smile and interest in people that is so contagious. Vicky was also very friendly and I thought that these two new friends were fantastic.

After a short conversation and some food we went back to their flat. Nice and cozy flat with an amazing seafront view. From his balcony we could see Miami and all the seafront celebrity houses with their huge yachts moored up front. ‘We had the best seats in the house’ as one might say.

Unpacked my stuff and conversed a wee bit longer with Reuben and then decided to check out the beach. As I walked across the warm sand, feeling the cool breeze on my face, all I could think was “I’m here at last!”

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

BIBLE TEACHER

Another lady joins this never ending train journey and sat next to me. Noticed that she was reading what looked like the Holy Book as well as listening to the soundtrack of her life on her iPod.

Curious as I am, asked if that black book was The Bible. She said that she was indeed reading it as well as listening to the gospels with her iPod, that way she expected to comprehend it better.

Also found out that her family came from the Canary Islands (just up the road from Madeira), was a Bible Teacher (Jehovah Witness) and she was preparing herself to go on a preaching mission down Mexico.

We talked a while about life, my traveling, she read out a couple lines from The Bible about evil and Satan and she told me that I should seek the Bible Teachers in Mexico if I need any help.

At the final stop, she shook my hand, smiled beautifully and wished me good luck.

I can’t recall her name, so if this lady ever read this, kindly hit me up with a comment, the Bible quote and I’ll edit this blog entry to add that plus your name.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

JEWISH HATE

Upon arrival to the correct train platform, still in West Palm Beach, I sat down on a bench next to an elderly lady reading a novel.

Glancing over noticed that the book had Cyrillic characters therefore asked her if she her book was Russian. She replied “yes” and for the next hour she would narrate her story.

Of Jewish origin, she was forced to flee Moscow with her baby son in the early 80’s after being marked by an anti-Semitic group.

I was rather surprised by this statement because my understanding was that after the 2nd World War holocaust, Jewish people were no longer being chased and murdered but I stand corrected.

She was granted entry to the US 0f A. and aided by a huge Jewish community located somewhere in the north part of country.

2 Years ago, still hating Russia and loving America, she moved down to West Palm Beach just to be closer to her son, now an adult working man living in Miami.

Finally, she informed me that she will never return to Russia, let me know her name (Faina), left the train and wished me good luck on my travels.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

EVERYONE WANTS A DOLLAR.

Landed in West Palm Beach Airport just after 8am and headed out to the exit to ask at the only visible taxi desk how much it would cost me to get to Miami Beach. Was quoted over 200 US Dollars, the weather was excellent (hot, hot hot!) and I wasn’t in any immediate rush, so decided to do what any proud hobo would do: Public transport.

Found out that a local bus to the nearest train station followed by a long train ride until Miami plus a second bus to was all I needed to reach my destination. Best part? It would cost me less than $8 total.

Easy peasy…or so I thought.

Fist bus arrived shortly so no much waiting. A few passengers were trying to get to their jobs and me to the nearest train station.

After a couple stops a Latin guy gets in the bus and asked very politely if anyone would like to purchase bottled waters or Gatorades. Water was $1, Gator $2. As no one was interested, he thanked the passengers and promptly exited the bus as some guy shouted “Everyone wants a dollar!” which got a few chuckles and so the bus moved on.

Soon was my turn to get off the bus and commence the second part of my ride.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

English?

My avid followers and readers demanded blog entries in English, thus I’ll comply.

MONO ASESINO

Al entrar al avión con destino a west Palm Beach, mire’ las noticias y alucine’ con la ultima, la ultima:

Una mujer nueva lorquina había llamado la policía gritando que su chimpancé había atacado su amiga y la estaba matando! De pronto llego la NYPD y mataron el mono disparándole varias veces. Su víctima se encuentra en cuidados intensivos en el Hospital.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY8YUFuWeCg

Resulta que la dueña del mono le daba antidepresivos a menudo y cuando vio la amiga de su dueña con un peinado distinto la a ataco’.

Solo en América!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

FRIO!

Finalmente llegamos a New York y después de pasar por los controles de pasaporte y aduanas pillamos el tren hasta el centro de Manhattan para dar unas vueltas.

No estábamos en absoluto preparados para el frio que se presento en la ciudad, quedamos my poco rato en Downtown, solamente vimos las luces y neones de Times Square y comimos una hamburguesa en el Mcdonalds de la zona, y de pronto nos regresamos al Aeropuerto y terminamos nuestra pequeña odisea en New York durmiendo en el suelo del terminal 4 (lo mas tranqui de los 8 terminales que componen JFK).

A las 5 de la mañana me despedí de mi tocaya (tenia su vuelo de conexión a San Diego por la tarde) y embarque’ mi vuelo con destino a West Palm Beach en Florida.

Me encanto’ tener la oportunidad de conocer a Paula, nos reímos un montón y estoy seguro que nos volveremos a encontrar en un futuro no muy lejano o por las Américas o de vuelta a España.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

QUE MÁXIMO!

Pasadas las 4 horas de escala en Dublín (que desde luego pasaron volando) volvimos a entrar al avión con destino a New York.

Paulo Martins (Yo) y Paula Martinez (Mi tocaya) continuamos a charlar sobre nuestros planes futuros, del pasado, un sinfín de temas que me llevaría todo el día a contar aquí en este blog.

El azafato asignado a nuestra zona del avión se llamaba Máximo Cornetta y tenía unas cerras tan finitas y redonditas sin muchas expresiones faciales. Podría estar completamente sorprendido pero no se le notaba…..

Yo de verdad pensaba que no nos darían nada de comida o bebida puesto que era un vuelo de Low Cost y por experiencia propia, no te dan ni 1 vasito de agua.

No obstante, de pronto Máximo empieza a repartir agua, coca-colas, comensales completos con primero (ensalada), segundo (arroz con pollo) y postre y finalmente antes de aterrizar nos brindo’ con una merienda.

Máximo curro’ un huevo siempre atento a las necesidades de los pasajeros, especialmente dos irlandeses sentados en mi izquierda que se pusieron hasta las cejas de vino, cerveza y vodka.
Cuando se levantaban para ir a los aseos tambaleaban que pensé que el avión iba a dar vueltas!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

TOCAYO

Aun en el Aeropuerto del Prat, Barcelona, le escuche comentar por el móvil que iba a San Diego, con escalas en Dublín y New York. “Ya tengo compañero de viaje hasta New York” pensé yo.

No obstante solamente hemos logrado hablar unos minutitos antes de entrar al avión que nos llevaría a nuestra primera escala del día, Dublín. Nuestros asientos asignados estaban a una gran distancia por lo tanto aproveche la oportunidad para dormir un buen rato.

Una vez en Dublín, nos dirigimos al balcón donde nos darían la tarjeta de embarque para nuestro segundo tramo del viaje. Compramos un sándwich de pollo por 5 Eur y en vez de comprar canas decidimos comprar una caja de 12 Heineken por 11 Eur.

Entonces empezamos a hablar y resulta que mi nuevo compañero de viaje es asturiana, se llama PAULA MARTINEZ, que es la versión Española y femenina de mi nombre (PAULO MARTINS), dejo su trabajo para viajar por Norte América y ambos llevábamos vaqueros azules, camiseta roja y jaqueta negra.

Que fuerte, que fuerte!

A una persona que comparta tu nombre se le llama TOCAYO pero como se llama a lo que acaba de ocurrir?

Menos mal que tenemos un montón de características distintas tales como: fuma, no le gusta el jugo de caña de azúcar, etc. sino seriamos una copia idéntica uno del otro!

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

Preparado... listo... YA!

Sentado en la puerta de embarque 15 esperando que un altavoz amariconao anuncie el embarque del avión que nos llevará a West Palm Beach.

Pedro se había comprometido a llevarme al aeropuerto, pero al final he tenido que coger un taxi puesto que la grúa había llevado su coche. Vaya putada. Fue una despedida muy rápida, un abrazo a Pedro y "un beso+1 te quiero mucho" a Juliana. Por lo menos no han tenido tiempo para despedidas tristes!

A través de este cuaderno de bitácora, mi fami, mis amores y amistades podrán seguir mis andanzas por el continente latino.

He tenido mucha suerte con el vuelo (será' suerte o algo más?):
Tenía pensado quedarme en Nueva York unos 3 días, después coger el bus Greyhound a las playas de Miami y finalmente pasarme por Nueva Orleans antes de cruzar la frontera a México.

Resulta que el Carnaval de New Orleans, más conocido por Mardi Gras (Martes Gordo) se celebra pasado 4 días de mí llegada a América. Se hago las cosas según el plan original llegaría mucho después de las festividades y no queriendo perder la oportunidad, decidí omitir New York e ir directamente a Miami.

Pues nada, me meto en la página de Aer Lingus, me compro un vuelo de Barcelona a Dublín, otro de Dublín a West Palm Beach (cerquita de Miami) y resultao: hay que hacer una escala de 12 horas. Y donde? New York!

Perfesto! Tiempo suficiente pa pasar un ratillo en la Gran Manzana! Y puesto que el Subway (metro de NY) está abierto to la noche no tendré' problemas pa volver al aeropuertito y pillar el vuelo a Miami.

Bueno ahora viene la dolorosa:
BCN -> Dublín: 40.41
Dublín -> West Palm: 208.81
Total: 249.22 Euritos!

Si tenéis pensado ir a Norte América de vacas, os recomiendo pasar por la pagina de Aerlingus pues tienen unos chollos impresionantes (Ida y vuelta a New York por 262.61 EUR)! El truco es uno darse cuenta de que no vuelan a América desde Barcelona, si no desde Dublín, es decir, hay que comprar dos vuelos por separado: uno a Dublín y otro al destino final.

Y que os decía? El mariconcete ya nos está llamando: "El embarque del vuelo con destino a Dublín va empezar ahora. Por favor dirigense a la puerta de embarque numero..... "

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

Travel Itinerary - first draft

Using the ever so useful quikmaps.com, I was able to trace a rough itinerary.

Anyways, the map is fully interactive, therefore you can zoom in+out or drag it around as you please.

Mind you, it will definitely change its course and I will update it when I figure out which route I'll be taking.

Ciao 4 now

~Paulo~

Hi & welcome to my blog!

My name is Paulo and I'm about to set foot on a Grande Adventure across Latin America.

This will be my journal, and its sole purpose will be to narrate my travels down the American Continent to all the beautiful people that, one way or another, came to be part of my life & to all relationships that I was blessed with throughout the years in Portugal, in England, in Spain and finally in The Netherlands.

Expect entries covering all different aspects of my travels:

from eating spicy burritos to Cesaria Evora latest songs,

from the best beach spot to the best margarita recipe,

from Bollywood movies to an afternoon on bus number 17,

from boat trips to yoga asanas,

from smoking apple flavoured shishas to stretching my spine with Alexander Technique,

from checking out the local market to chatting to my nieces on Skype,

from brewing trapist beer to missing my round bed,

from “pescando ilusões” to “taxistas poetas”,

from betting on cock fights to singing solo Karaoke,

from bondage parties to watching my fav sitcom,

from “tomando mate” to “encontar el Duende”,

from feet massage to fancy calligraphy,

from allowing others in My Reality to getting RSI if I don’t give myself a break right about now!

Also every now & again I will recap past anecdotes of my life for your reading pleasure, and, as I have a rather varied background, do expect entries in Portuguese, Spanish and by all means, English!

BRIEF TRAVEL BIO: Born in the gorgeous Portuguese Island of Madeira, moved to London in 1996, spent over 3 years in Spain between Madrid and Barcelona, less than a year in Amsterdam and just getting ready for my flight to America on the 17th Feb 2009.

How long will I be traveling?

Dunno. I suppose, for as long as I can stretch it! Obviously, it will depend on a hell lot of factors like the following:

Sun, Sea & beach: “Como eu sou de uma ilha do atlântico, preciso saber que aquele mar esta próximo de mim, preciso sentir e cheirar a marisia, senão…”

Food: “No puedo sin mi Paella de Domingo ni sin mi Pan tomaca! ¡A ver como lo montamos!”

Money & Job: As everyone will agree, an income is vital (any ideas?)!

And a hell lot more stuff that I can’t come up with right now.

To my *new* readers:

If by any chance we cross paths on the street, on the bus, in the beach, in the Salsa classes, be cool and say Hi.

Do fasten your seatbelts and enjoy!

~Paulo~

PS - Use the OPINIONS section bellow to add remarks, tips, ideas, questions, rants or just to wish me Good Luck!: