BRAZIL

Coming to Brazil brought us a totally different flavour than Africa;
new country, new continent.

We started our time in Sao Paulo, a city of hard work and hard people.
The common mindset is "You work to live and live to work"!
It's also a city of hardship and "destinies" with no hope.
The difficulties are neither hidden or forgotten, but in the open for everyone to see.

We didn't spend much time here, but we got to talk to the locals,
share stories and definately get some new perspectives!

After our time in Sao Paulo, we wanted to leave for Rio de Janeiro. To take the bus there we had to spend quite some money. Arriving at the bus- station we figured we no longer had cash on our visa card. putting all our cash together, we had just the amount to make it there, on the penny! Thank Mr PT!
But late at night in Rio, with no where special to go, with no cash and a broken internet- bank we were not the queens of the castle!! We started begging for money without even knowing how much we would need and where we would sleep that night. Welcome to the land of NO English! We hardly made it without being beaten...People in Brazil are not very friendly in stressed situations! You can say the definition of bad temperaments were born right here!!
But after patience, prayers and an unpaid bill at the internet- cafe, a man walks up to us with just the amount to take the bus in to the city, Ipanema. Just being protected at a late night in the criminal city, leaves us thankful to up above! A overbooket hostal even took us in without the ability to pay....what a difference a day make!

Being on the way to something you don't know, leaves room open for God to move....we love it!
Growing in dimentions you never knew...




Getting to know the locals in Ipanema (part of Rio), was amazing! With all different backgrounds and views of life and living....we had quite some experiences! Being invited daily to the barbeque of only locals at the corner-bar outside our door, eventually lead us to the slums of Rio.
No other tourists EVER go there by night, but we even got invited to a private birthday-party
at the top of a slum house in the nearest favella ("slum-city")
including DJ a la homemade and REAL samba *
Sorry Lonely Planet, we got there before you!!!

We also went to the favelas by day with a guide to get our pictures (book- material). We got to see Rosinia, the biggest favela in South America with about 200 000 "registered" inhabitants. Amazing to see how the people manage to live in such conditions and in these circumstances. We haven't had the chance to upload these pics, but this is one of the city- walls. Right after this shot was taken, the mafia showed up with their machine guns pointing at us. The favelas works with their own laws and punishments. You need to watch your steps....but you can be sure no one ever steals from you, cause they'll definately get their arm cut off...the next time, they'll be shot!

Being in the country where nothing matters more than football, of course we had to be a part of the celebration! In the spirit of Ronaldinho, we joined in the crowd of crazy Brazilians! Seeing Fluminense against Atletico on Maracana Stadium we didn't know how we would make a difference...But little did we know! Even in the crowd of thousands of people we got hooked up with some new friends that we got to spend some real quality time with!
Nice Price.

The statue of Christ alias Mr PT was nearly hunted down by the millions of tourists surrounding him with digital cameras and lenses in all sizes! Happy are we to know that we carry him inside the heart, and not on megapixels! Thanks mr cool...

Being busy in the city, we had to take a fat break. It was time for rehab!
On a sunny day Mr driver Bubba came and picked us up in his old VW minibus
packed with youngsters ready for paradise hotel.
Welcome to Ilha Grande.

AquaRio.

We got to spend 3 days in the most beautiful surroundings by the ocean, honeymoon- spirit!

We also found some brothers in Christ*

You might wonder where the smiles of this policeman has gone...
Well, it's just to hard to respect a police that drives around in a golf-car...hehe!
Paradise just doesn't give the police much to do...so why not entertain for a while??
At least we clothed ourselves in the Brazilian flags...



Taking us down to the station we couldn't nothing but to remember Hebr. 13,2;

Do not forget to entertain strangers!!
For by so doing some people have entertained
angels without knowing it.

Remember those in prison
as you were their fellow prisoners
and those who are mistreated
as if you yourselves were suffering.

Prison here we come.