Monthly Archives: January 2012

Embu das Artes

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My husband secretly cooked me meatloaf on Monday.  (It is feasible that it was less covert and more my avoidance of the kitchen.)  The dish was stuffed with sun dried tomatoes, had melted mozzarella on top, and was delish.  So here I am, two days later, eating a cold meatloaf sandwich (of which I have gone without for a minimum of seven months). 

Eating food that can justifiably be smothered in ketchup is distracting me from the fact that my husband has been in Rio for three weeks straight.

Smart move, husband.  Well played.

Meanwhile, he has also left me with a list of priorities:
1. Puzzle
2. Anything else

Apparently, someone wants his table back and three pieces a day is not considered sufficient progress.  I have been given a deadline of ten days to complete the hardest puzzle ever.  (Thanks for that Lisa.)

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A few weeks back we took a day trip to Embu das Artes to celebrate some birthdays.  Technically, it was only Suzanna’s birthday… but she kindly shared the day with me (since mine was on hold until we could make friends to celebrate with.)

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Embu is located 40 minutes outside of São Paulo. The town was founded by Jesuit priests in the 17th century and still maintains buildings from the colonial period.

It is a charming city with cobblestone streets, handicraft shops, and plenty of spots to drink the day away.  We opted for German fare which represented inhabitants that settled in the area generations ago.

On weekends and holidays, there is a handicraft fair which has been occurring for more than 70 years and attracts people from all over the country.

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AND there were puppies… which makes this my new favorite weekend jaunt.

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I have a new found love for all things guinea fowl.

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Taste testing artisanal cachaças.

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The floating head might be advertising hair braids.  I’m not sold.

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My husband ‘humoring me’ after I asked him to muddle for the picture.  There’s a first for everything. 

Also, I have officially become my mother with the use of that phrase.

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Have you met… THE CUTEST PUPPY EVER?!?

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Sampling toasted nuts and candied coconut. 

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Sampa is what the locals affectionately call São Paulo.

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As with any good celebration, we rounded it out with Farkle and an exorbitant number of shots.  I won the contest for most farkles.

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Here’s to thirty good years, and seventy more to come.  Happy birthday Suzanna!

Super Sampler Platter

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In an effort to dodge the imminent censorship requests, I am posting the remainder of my photos from the Wittig’s visit. 

No.  I did not do a great job narrowing them down.  Get cozy.  I’m sure you have nothing better to do considering the high in Minneapolis today was two degrees and I was busy wearing flip flops in Brazil.

Sorry.  That was mean. 

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Catedral da Sé, New Year’s Day mass

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Wasn’t. kidding. 

São Paulo was EMP-TY… ‘I am Legend’ style. 

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Since our favorite ramen joint in Liberdade was closed for the holidays, we submitted to hunger pains and settled for whatever was across the street.  Worst Chinese food EVER.

Four words:  gravy covered chicken bones.  Never again.  SO sorry guys.

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Parque Trianon lit up for Christmas

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And… this here is how Lisa got invited back to Brazil.

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Playing euchre with tasty coffee drinks at Santo Grão on Oscar Freire.

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Please note my opening statement regarding incoming censorship requests.

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Thank goodness Jonathan was there.

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Hotel Unique, designed by Ruy Ohtake

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Rooftop Skye Bar prior to the dinner rush… perfect timing for a sunset.

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Immediate thought process:

This should be Jonathan’s facebook profile pic!!

…

Oh my goodness.  I am such a jobless 14 year old.

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Vila Mada.

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Hairy lady armpits and Pee Wee Herman in perma-squat under display glass.

Well, that’s not weird. 

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From our first day exploring the market to our last few hours sampling juices, having you both here was a blast.  You are welcome back anytime.  Like, now.

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Facebook profile picture!!!

Big Wet One

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This week I began a course at PUC-SP, a Catholic University here in São Paulo.  After an unexplained one month hiatus from Portuguese study sessions, I am now speaking the language daily (aloud) in front of my peers.

On a brighter note, I haven’t been bumped down to the basic level class yet.  Thank goodness for rainy season and homemade lasagna… it’s study time.

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Between weather reports riddled with rain and the mass departure of Paulistanos over the holidays, there was not much sight-seeing to do during the Wittig’s visit.

So we buckled down and did what any good Wolff would do.  We played cards.  The entire visit.  It was amazing minus the fact that I NEVER won (not bitter at all).  In the end, we laughed a lot and loaded up on some much needed family time.  There were even a few moments where we didn’t feel quite so far from home.

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Evidence of rain.  New Year’s Eve 2011-2012.

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Brazilian New Year’s Traditions:

  • Gather at the beach, jump seven waves, and throw flowers to wish for a happy and prosperous year
  • Private parties at clubs, bars, and homes
  • Fireworks displays at midnight
  • Concerts with top Brazilian musicians
  • Wear all white to bring and sustain good luck
  • Wear underwear whose color states your intentions for the coming year

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After dinner in Vila Mada, we made our way to Paulista under the assumption that any remaining citizens were likely congregating there.  What we found was a big, wet mess.  We brought in the Ano Novo with thousands of Brazilians on Avenida Paulista listening to live concerts, drinking chopp, and getting doused with rain water.

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This picture WILL be framed.  And not simply because my husband is holding a flowered umbrella it is a lovely shot.  But because the man originally attempting the picture tried 42 times with no success before we handed it off to another bystander.

The fact that my family is still smiling after three full minutes of pure frustration can only be attributed to their awareness of my persistence regarding quality group photos.

Beco do Batman

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Beco do Batman (Batman’s Alley) is located in the Vila Madalena district of São Paulo. Most homes in this neighborhood are walled at the sidewalks creating private courtyards for its residents. The windy streets that branch off Rua Gonçalo Afonso have evolved into an open-air gallery.

The “batman” reference stems from the comic book series. Exploring this collection of street art by foot is reminiscent of stumbling into your very own comic strip.

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This poor man’s museum attracts graffiti artists and stencilers from across the globe.  The layers of art are constantly turning over, encouraging multiple visits to see newly surfaced works.

In 2007, SP mayor Kassab banned all means of public advertising, stirring an unintended graffiti movement to fill the then blank spaces.  While most designs are appreciated by both locals & foreigners, the ever frustrating pichação (a calligraphy style tagging) is not.

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Although there are plenty of opportunities to see urban galleries of graffiti here in São Paulo, this 500 foot curved alley is now among my favorites. I’ve included a photo tour from our visit with Lis & Jonathan.

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Could he look any less excited?  Such a stick in the mud trooper!  AND… yes, you are correct in assuming that my husband still does not read the blog.

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I’m pretty sure that guy on the left is from my worst nightmares.

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And this ladies, is exactly why you don’t go for six months without a color & a cut.  Not. pretty.

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My preference instead was to be photographing these Chicago lovebirds.

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Two of my most favorite people.  I miss your faces.  Come back already.

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Recovery Mode

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Hello strangers.  It’s been a while since I have written so I decided to list a few updates.

  • Christmas was eerily quiet.  What we missed with family & friends, we replaced with an excessive amount of food.  We cooked the entire day to distract ourselves from the impending loneliness.
  • For those of you who sent us holiday cards… THANK YOU.  It is so great to have familiar faces covering our fridge.
  • I cut my husband’s hair. A lot of it. It was our most successful trim to date. He only swore at me once when I stabbed him in the ear.  Never mind that I spent three days following him around with scissors fixing it.
  • Lisa & Jonathan arrived safely and spent a few days visiting with us in São Paulo.  The remainder of their honeymoon includes exploring waterfalls in Argentina & roaming various Brazilian beaches.  I offered multiple times to be their third wheel, but they politely declined did not respond.
  • During their visit we played a boatload of cards.  I DID NOT WIN.  Not even once.
  • The husband was on holiday between Christmas & New Years, but took this week off as well for good measure.  He finally rejoined the ranks today after a much needed break.
  • I registered for a Portuguese Language & Culture course at a local university. We have decided it necessary that at least one of us have the ability to communicate.
  • We began watching an old HBO series called ‘The Wire’.  My husband now refers to me as ‘playa’ and ends every sentence with ‘yo’.  No comment.
  • One of us has taken to sleeping with four pillows and now refers to it as ‘pillow heaven’.  I’ll let you guess who.

I just unloaded my pictures from Lisa & Jonathan’s visit… thought I would share one for kicks.  Enjoy.

Surprise Marie

Notice the resemblance?

Banff Gopher