Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I'm heading out to the country for a long weekend and will be, gasp, cut off from the internet.

I just wanted to wish you all a great Easter, or long weekend if Easter is not your thing.

Here's a picture of my boys showing off their traditional Brazilian chocolate egg from their Vovô (Portuguese for Grandpa). Thank goodness it's hollow because even that way it's way too much freaking chocolate!

Enjoy your friends, family, and please brush your teeth!

xoxo

A visit with an Ex - The US that is

I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. I am currently packing as much of the things as possible that I love about my culture, aka. ziplocks.

Seriously though, there's a separation each time I leave.  It's kind of like your first love.  I have a lot of history with this country.  Wow, we really go back far.  The things we've gone through together... Things I'll never share with another country.

We have a history.

As much as I know that it just doesn't work, after visiting my country, I get a bit nostalgic.  I mean, I know I used to get really annoyed. We argued a lot.  And the sex, well, in the end it was really bad.  Then again, how good can it ever be with an entire country.

There I go trying to see the positive.  No. I'm done. I don't live here anymore. I've been happier since we've separated. I'm a better person now.

But one more walk won't kill me.  And that's exactly what I did this evening. I put the kids to bed, took my parent's car, and I did my last American grocery store run. I needed dill seed, don't bother asking me why.

But once I got there, I left the car slowly.  I felt the warmth of my winter coat. I felt the cold of the wind on my cheeks.  I felt that little chill up my spine when the two finally combined.  Oh winter, you Minx.  It'll be a while before I see you again.

And then I came home.  I had my moment with my ex.  As lovely as it was to travel down that little lane, I'm staying with my man.  He's Hot, he's Latin, and nothing is covered in a winter coat! 

My Ghetto Little Pony

Today I experienced a cross between the country of India and the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.  No, this was not an interesting culinary experience, although that would, in fact, be hell of a lot interesting if I do say so myself. 

The combination came to be in a little neighborhood plaza in Tijuca.  It was the cross between a country horse, usually used to take the husband into town to by morning bread and beer.  Keep in mind I was implying morning to both bread and beer. 

Anyway, country horse and rickshaw.  Oh yes. My family of four rode around the congested streets of Tijuca in a ricksaw pulled by a horse. Personally, I think it was a lot like Asia only planned a bit better by the driver.

In fear of sounding redundant, it was interesting to say the least. First off, I'm afraid of horses. It's not because I don't like them.  It's because I've seen their power used for evil instead of good and I have the utmost respect for it.  I felt like I was mocking the horse in that tiny rickshaw and that he could kick us over and cause hell should he deem it necessary. 

But the kids liked it. And let's keep in mind, my kids are city kids.  Hell, my oldest could hail a cab and a bus before he turned 2 years old. Yes, in Rio we hail buses. It's a beautiful thing and, at the same time, quite curiously alarming, if you ask me.  

I made a little note to myself, after my oldest asked me to write in his school notebook that he went on a horseback ride this weekend, get these boys to the country ASAP!

For your enjoyment, a real picture of the experience:

Heading to the country, Rio de Janeiro style

I'm a lucky girl.  My Brazilian in-laws live in a county house (or Siteo in Portuguese) in Cachoeira de Macacu.

What this means is that we can get out of the city, at a moments notice, and go to a beautiful house in the country. And I mean country. Their house is actually 20 or so minutes outside the little town of Cachoeiras, up a bumpy and difficult dirt road.

I know what some of you are thinking. You aren't country.  Everyone is this country.  You get to stay at a beautiful spot in the middle of nature. You won't see anyone else unless you want to. There aren't any houses nearby.  You can trek to 3 different waterfalls and, in the winter, one of the paths to one of the waterfalls is full of butterflies. I mean freakishly full, I'm in a super corny movie amount of butterflies. I've never seen anything like it.

The best part is, the house has all the modern amenities.  There's a full bath that even I can fit very comfortably in.  They have internet and satellite cable.  There's a pool with attached kiddie pool and shower.  Not to mention, the game room right next to the pool with bar and pool table.

And I'm not even going to talk about my Mother-in-law's cooking. I'm already bragging too much as it is and if you knew how well she cooks, it'd just push you over the edge.

Moral of the story, Rio de Janeiro does have amazing beaches.  You can't argue with that. But it also has an amazing countryside. If you are not fortunate enough to be able to mooch off your husband's or wife's family, you can easily find a cute pousada.  In case you don't know what a pousada is, it's kind of like a combo of a 3 star hotel and a bed and breakfast.  I love pousadas! They are quaint, easy, and always have hammocks.

So come Saturday morning, I'll be wishing Rio a good weekend and heading out!  Woo Hoo!