Long night.
Trip Start
Jan 05, 2012
1
13
14
Trip End
Jul 18, 2012
Belem, State of Para, Brazil
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Last night started with a nice bus ride downtown to go watch Tranze, my Brazilian brother Florindo's band play at a small music shop that has a closet stage in back about the size of a living room. The small size makes it really loud. The first band to play was a metal band that played some angry rock music, but they were pretty good. They finished the set with a Velvet Revolver cover and although his accent made it very Brazilian, he pulled it off and they sounded really good. After that was Tranze, they rocked! This was the second time I've seen them play live and they are pretty awesome. They play a punk style rock with some heavy metal riffs thrown around as well. They are a pretty good definition of alternative rock as they try to come up with new things and using old style in new ways. They have a type of music here called Brega which is a pop dance music usually found at parties. The band took an older Brega song and added some rock flair to make a really good sound that the crowd liked a lot. After the show I played "gringo roadie" and helped carry the gear to the cars. We took the gear to the singer Luciano's house and then went for some food. After we were good and full we went to meet some friends of Florindo at a bar and the party started. Brazilians love to party, its like a disease here. They go out a lot and they just love the bar scene. But, they don't do bar crawls so after trying my best to explain why Americans like to go from bar to bar throughout the night I was met with puzzled looks to the effect of "why leave? we have beer right here". So, they have a decent point about that, and here, most of the bars have a cover charge that they don't even tell you about, just tack it onto your bill at the end of the night so moving around can get expensive. Although I suppose the cover charge makes up for their lack of tipping. They tip practically no one. No wonder why all the bar tenders and waiters are cranky and don't seem lazy, they work for peanuts. So the party died down and it was just me, Florindo and one of his buddies. They decided we should go wake up Luciano because he had retired early (3am) and that is just unacceptable. So we went and woke up Luciano and Marcel who had crashed at Luciano's house and went to Lobo's Bar (Wolf Bar) This place just doesn't close down. We sat around and listened to music and talked about the show and their music until the sun came up. Then, finally, headed for home where my head hit the pillow and I was out just after breakfast. Overall, kind of a crazy night, good man bro dude chill night out and got to see a sunrise too.
The past week has been a bit of a headache, the teachers are striking but not all of them so no one knows which classes we will have or if we will have class at all. The whole idea of an hour on a hot bumpy bus ride for one class that may or may not take place is just a bit ridiculous. I do not know how the students put up with the education system here. Sure its great that they don't have to pay to get a higher education, but there needs some serious revisions by the people in charge (whoever that may be I can't tell). But school goes on, sort of... I have to do a presentation in Portuguese on grassland ecosystems so that should be interesting. Hopefully my speaking is up to par so everyone knows whats going on. Other than that school is school, and its almost over and I'm super pumped for that! Bring on the Brazilian finals!
In other news, I think we have an apartment in Colorado! Application sent, move in date August 1st waiting for them to approve us and then we're set. Looks like mountain mulie and elk camp could be on the front range this year! Or at least find a place to make camp for next year so y'all can get your tags in the spring lotto. Thinking about moving out west keeps my mind of things when I'm missing home, really excited and looking forward to the next step, something new and something different! =D
So, I think I'm about out of things to say. Going on an 8 mile run tonight, week 6 of half marathon training, super pumped for July 8th! Hope all is well back in the real world!
Peace n Love
Comments
"Hope all is well back in the real world" That is the truth!! haha I am so excited for your future bro it is going to be so exciting so so much fun, I am happy for you and happy for me to come and see you haha. Can't wait to see you in the good ole States. Love you bro!
. We sat around and listened to music and talked about the show and their music until the sun came up.........I thought you were supposed to "study" until the sun comes up??? LOL
Yeah, I'm making up for that by studying all day today :-P
Sounds like any college life here in the states. Live bands, bars open all night, waking up friends in the middle of the morning. you'll miss it when you get back to reallity. have fun, be careful. love ya.