The last one from 2008

Back in Paris and ready for a new year! Here we are a few hours away from 2009! For this new year I'm opening a special bottle to celebrate a very long special year! :-)

This will be my last post from 2008. Some of you are already in 2009... and I hope to join you soon!

All the best for you... I'm going out and try to survive this very cold night in Paris, around 0ºC! I'll need to drink the full bottle in order to survive this winter night! :-)

I'll see you in 2009!

Happy New Year!

Feliz Ano Novo!

Ho ho ho

And here we are again, with another cliché on this special day. Yes, it's Christmas... what a surprise!
I would prefer to win the lottery and wish congratulations to myself, but on Christmas we have to wish all the best to our family, friends and ... all the others (yes, those who are "special" like politicians or terrorists... they're people too, they only need to be loved! eheheh).

I hope you enjoy another Christmas Eve with the ones you love (yes, like Angelina Jolie.... I wish! eheh), and with the presents you deserve... after all, there's a crisis out there!

Ho ho ho ... and a bottle of rum! Did you ever notice that pirates and Santa Claus have a similar cheer? :-D

Next stop: Porto

Every year it arrives that special time when people join their families in their homelands. Some of them more far than others.
I'm lucky because I'm only 2 hours away by plane, so I don't have no excuses to skip Christmas with my family! eheh

So my next stop will be the world's most beautiful city: Porto (or Oporto, if you're english! eheh). This award was given after a competing voting selection, and it was up the jury to decide... that means me! :-P

I'll try to take this opportunity to show you my city. The monuments, the iconic buildings, the food, and the most important and best part of Porto: the people :-)

Now let me get ready for real cold! eheh It's true Paris is cold in winter, but it's a dry weather. In Porto the temperature also drops, but there are some nasty winds coming from the Atlantic ocean.
I'm getting a cold just thinking of it! eheheh

Snowy Paris

It has been really cold this last few days around here, so it wasn't a big surprise when snow started to fall.

Fortunately (or not, it depends how much you like to ski) the snow precipitation level is very very low. Some long decades ago Paris would be covered in snow by this time of the year. But now we have this fancy "global warming" that completely changed the four seasons (I'm talking about the weather, not the pizza) :P

Still I was caught on surprise, because I entered into a subway station and when I got out on the other side of Paris the weather had completely changed! Like I travelled miles and miles... into the Swiss Alps! eheheh

It would be so much nicer if I was on the snowy mountains, with my ski boots on and a cup of hot chocolate... but it was time to wake up, so I headed to work. C'est la vie...

Evacuating a subway tram

The subway in Paris has the same problems has other subways: crowded, late most of the times, stops in the middle of the tunnels for traffic control, or when a passenger feels sick, etc.

Last week the tram where I was in was forced to stop once again, but this time the reason was a bit awkward: there was a kid running in the tunnel!!

It was like an horror movie: the tram stops in the middle of the tunnel, with only the emergency lights on (plus the tunnel lights). Without the engines running, there was almost a dead silence inside the tram.
Suddenly I see a "head" running along the tram (from the outside of course)! This could be the cue to start playing some eerie music in order to freak everyone who was inside! ehehe

Some minutes later, on the speaker, the subway driver requests everyone to calmly evacuate the tram using the exit at the front, which luckily was already next to the station.

Fortunately I always carry a digital camera with me. I made a short clip but I didn't see any kid around. The security agents at the station were saying the kid was hidding under the tram!!

Anyway, the station was completely evacuated and closed... maybe the parisian C.S.I. team was already investigating ;-)

Bourgogne and its escargots

Bourgogne is a french region mainly know for its quality wines, but there are other points of interest in this region. So I went on a discovery tour...

It's always nice to visit to new regions, its monuments like ancient churches, cathedrals, castles... but what I really enjoy is to discover the gastronomy (what a surprise! eheh).

The most famous speciality is without a doubt the snails, which became a worldwide french gastronomy icon. Snails, or most fancy called escargots, are famous mainly because of their uniqueness inside french cuisine.
Typically les escargots de Boulogne are big, prepared only with butter, onions and garlic oil. Et voilá... something simple and very tasty you should try.
There are strict rules regarding the way snails are selected and prepared, that's why this "simple" speciality is expensive and you won't find it in every restaurant.

One other product very typical from this region is the mustard from Dijon, which is different (and stronger!) than your typical yellow mustard.

For the wines... I was positively surprised with the white wine from Chablis. Served chilled, is a good option to accompany fish, sea food and escargots.

Next time I have to try the Volaille de Bresse (Bresse Poultry), a type of chicken (very tasty supposedly) which is raised under very strict conditions in order to preserve its origins, dated from 1957 (these chickens are really old! eheh).

Besides the gastronomy, this was also a good opportunity to visit the region: vineyards, castles and churches, like the Basilique Sainte Madeleine in Vézelay, considered World Heritage by UNESCO.

Ah, one other thing very important: most of the restaurants in this region serve generous portions, nothing like the nouvelle cuisine where you have a huge plate, a tiny portion and a big price! eheh

I invite you to discover too through my photo album. Enjoy... even if you can't taste it ;)

Around Bourgogne album

 

Christmas lights in the lightless avenue

It's not Christmas yet but, like most other cities, Paris is already "dressed up" for the next holiday season.
That time of the year when people are naturally happy, everyone tries to make a good action and share.

These images were taken at Champs-Élysées, the famous avenue in the City of Lights. If this avenue was once filled with glamour, now has its reputation going lower and lower.
Paris is worldwide known for its beauty and for the parisians' bad reputation.
This week it was published a survey of the most prestigious shopping streets in the world, and les Champs were ranked last out of sixteen famous names.
Main reason? Shop assistants and poor service at the main boutiques... oh yes, and the entire avenue isn't as clean as it should be.

But there is one good explanation regarding garbage: simply because there aren't trash cans! :-D
In 1995 there was a serie of terrorist bombings and most of the bombs were hidden in garbage cans. In order to avoid problems in the future, authorities removed the cans.
Regarding the parisians' "politeness"... well, there's no explanation for that! eheheh

But soon will be Christmas again, and people's hearts will be warm, happy and fill with joy... even for the parisians ;-)

Happy Saint Martin!

Is true that Saint Martin's Day is November 11th, but in Portugal we usually celebrate it on the following Sunday. How do we celebrate it? Typically with chestnuts and local light alcoholic beverages.

Chestnuts are usually eaten roasted, preferably outdoors on an open fire, with friends and family. Alternatively, if going out and cold are an obstacle, you can prepare them in the oven.

Regarding the wine, in Portugal St. Martin's day is also associated to the maturation of the year's wine (the first day when you can taste the new wine).
The popular beverages are água-pé (a watered-down wine) or the stronger jeropiga (a liquor).

At this time of the year the weather really doesn't invite you to go outdoors, but in Portugal usually there's a small period of good weather which we refer as Saint Martin's Summer (Verão de São Martinho).
But this weather "phenomenon" is related with the most famous Saint Martin's legend. By the time when he was a roman soldier (travelling supposedely from Italy to France) he met a beggar during a rain storm. So he cut this cloak to save the beggar from dying of the cold.... after a while the rain stopped and the sun started to shine.

Now is time for some chestnuts! Even if I'm in France, for me a tradition will always be a tradition! ;-)

Happy St. Martin! Bom São Martinho!

Darth Halloween

It was Halloween and all the freaks came out! eheh Of course not, it was a normal typical Halloween night, with some people dressed up for the occasion.
Although not as popular as in England, Ireland or USA, some teenagers and young adults were dressed up as vampires, pirates, "gothic creatures" and so on.

But on the subway there was this guy who got everyone's attention. He was disguised as Darth Vader with this huge black helmet!

Even bad guys like Darth Vader have to suffer in the parisian public transports! eheheh

Bond, James Bond

Guess who was tonight's guest? That's right, the latest 007 movie had its premiere tonight, but once again I wasn't invited! eheh

"Quantum of Solace" has some interesting curiosities like being the first James Bond sequel (the action of this movies starts one hour later from "Casino Royale"), the vilain is french (played by a french actor, of course) ... and the movie will be opening in the USA 15 days later that the european release.
Hmmm... I think the american elections are the reason for the delay! ;-)

Tonight only Daniel Craig, Mathieu Amalric (the vllain), Olga Kurylenko (the Bond girl) and Marc Forster (the director) were present. No Judy Dench this time.

Let's see when I'll check out this movie... it seems to be a bit un-007, but maybe it's just me! eheh

It was hard to wait under the rain and cold... but now is time for a dry Martini ;-)

My spy shoe

All kids dream about presents, from the simple ones like a car toy, a bicycle or a doll, to those dream presents like a space rocket, a laser gun or giant robot (I watch too many movies, I know).

I never asked for weird or unusual presents to anyone... not even to Santa Claus (wait, there was that time I would like to have a time machine! Cooool!).
Recently I had an unexpected "present": a shoe phone! eheh Like the ones used by secret agents to make secret phone call (et voilá... too many movies again!).

During a launch a break, at the office, one of my coleagues tripped over my shoe and the result was like seen in the picture. I still don't know what was the special touch in order to create this work of art! eheh
The worst came afterwards: how could I return to office with a clam on my shoe? Well, I tried to walk for a while but ... everyone was staring and making jokes! :P Luckily that day I had with me an extra pair of shoes (which I was going to drop at the shoe repair shop), so I managed to change.

And talking about movies, spies and shoes... I recommend "Get Smart", the movie based on the famous 60's TV show, with Steve Carrel as Maxwell Smart, a.k.a. Agent 86... with a real shoe phone! ;)

Don't try this at home

It was a sunny day, blue sky, the birds were singing, me without ideas... and I thought... "Hmmm, how about grab a Velib, going to the crowded city center and shot at the same time?"
First things first: I'm not becoming one of those teenagers (although I'm still one! eheh) who wake up one morning and decide to kill everyone they see! :P And if you don't know, this is a Velib.

I was having this idea for a long time: pick up one Velib and to film while pedalling. Well, it could be worse... I could pedal blindfolded while juggling 5 croissants on fire... AND filming at the same time, of course! eheh

So I headed to Arc de Triomphe and then down to the Champs-Élysées avenue. It wasn't a big ride, but it was a nice first experience. For a next time maybe I'll do the same at one of the tipical downtown districts... with better quality, preferably! ;)

And one day, who knows, maybe an Oscar for the best very-small-tiny-short documentary! eheheh

It was an interesting challenge to steer the bicycle with one hand and to film with the other. But usually I drive my car with both hands.... usually! :D

I've lost you all!

I'm still living and working on the same planet as you... but I've lost you all. No, I haven't got amnesia. I This could also be an essay about "Kayak for Dummies".

Recently I've managed to convince (finally!) some people from work to go on a canoe-kayak river descent, outside Paris. Negociatons were hard, and when I thought the "worst" was gone... well, let's say that my good will was punished! eheheh

It was not the first time I did such sport activity, but it was my first time without a guide or someone to oversee the group. Here everyone got on a canoe, with only a basic "rivermap". It's a safe system, where families usually go with their kids, because the rivers are extremely calm, with one or another small waterfall.
At the beginning I thought "Cool! We're on our on"... but the first problem arrived in minutes: the river had two different paths to follow... and both were blocked by small trees.
So... who you gonna call?? eheh I had decided to bring my cell phone with me just in case (very wise!), and as soon as I realized we were "stuck" I took my phone and call the organizing company. As soon as I hung up... I accidentally misplaced the phone into my pocket... et voila... au revoir! :P

Anyway... I've learned the lesson! eheh The bigger problem is all the contacts I've lost, but it could be worse of course... I could have lost an arm or a leg! :P

There are some lucky fishes who won a new cell phone! eheheh

But not everything was bad... there were some priceless moments! Revenge! eheheh



ps: feel free to send me your contacts (by email)

It's the Rob and Al show!

This could be a fashion report about some famous designers like Vuitton, Gaultier or Lagarfeld ... but it's about cinema (what a surprise!)

As I was coming out of the gym heading home I noticed some flashes and TV crews on the Champs-Élysées avenue. From where I was I could hear "Al! Rob!" and I thought... Is it Al Gore and Robbie Williams?
That's a weird mix! eheh For my completely surprise I realized it was a premiere for Robert De Niro and Al Pacino's "Righteous Kill".
How come there's a big opening like this and I don't know nothing about it? It's in times like this you realize that's something wrong in this world! eheheh

Luckily I always carry with me a camera (at least one!) and I managed to take some souvenirs from this notorious duo of actors. I wish I could have teleobjective lenses because it wouldn't have to
play Plastic Man and stretch my arm as far as possible in order to take good pictures! eheh

It was a nice surprise to end the day... I hope next time they remember to invite me! :-P

Time to move out!

It's true that things have been quiet around this blog, but I didn't disappear (neither I was abducted by aliens... yet!).

There comes a time when you need to change: move to a new appartement, dye your hair, have your ears pierced, tattoo a giant dragon on your back or learn an useful language like latin! :P
Well, after a long consideration I've decided to move out... after all, the other options weren't new for me! eheheh

So I've moved and in the last couple of weeks I've been cleaning, moving furniture (to make the place more zen!) and arguing with the neighbors... no, not arguing! :)

Usually I live well without internet, but I admit that after 2 weeks it starts to be an headache. I can't update the blog, read my emails and pay my taxes (good excuse! eheheh).

While I wait for my new internet connection, I've been using the free wireless internet provided by Paris public services. And this is a good thing, because it makes me go out.
Usually I like to come here, to the famous square Place de Vosges... where I'm right now while I write this post. Seated on a bench, under the trees and next to the fountain... with tourists too, of course! :P

Be back soon...

ps: I wasn't paid for the free publicity from the car rental company ;)

This is a gyropode...

A gyro what? Well, it's french for Segway. In case you don't know, a Segway is an electrical two-wheel vehicle that uses your body position to move... and stop (no, it doesn't have breaks)! :P

What's so special about it? It's a new way to transport people, environment friendly (no polution and almost no noise)... but very very expensive! eheh

During the Paris Plage event there were several activities you could practise or try... like mini golf, kayak, fitness sessions or... gyropode!
As the brand Segway is not officially registered in France, for the time being, this personal transporter has a french name! Oh la la! eheheh
The name comes from the gyroscopic sensors inside the Segway, which are used to control its balance.

I took this opportunity to try for myself this new vehicle... and it was definitely different. You have to teach your brain that "lean forward" doesn't mean you'll fall!
The Segway can (and it should) be used in cycleways/cycle tracks as long it moves at least at 20km/h (12.5 mph), which is Segway's top speed (for the basic model).

Although is very pratical and better than using crowded public transports, I prefer the old and typical bicycle... at least you pedal and it's a good exercise!
Who knows if in the future all major cities will have public Segways instead of bicycles and scooters!

Sometimes the Segway reminds me a chariot but without the horses! eheheh

Another Batmania

Yes, Batman is back. But is all the fuss justified? The new Batman movie "The Dark Knight" has been opening across the world for the last weeks, with huge ticket sales, excellent reviews from critics and fans, and breaking box-office records.
At first, this could be almost an olympic triumph, entitled for a big gold medal.

I like going to the movies, specially when a promising movie turns out to be disappointing or an unknown movie becomes a good surprise. I still have nightmares from the last Indiana Jones adventure.... oh well, better days will come.

Anyway... "The Dark Knight" is a good superhero movie, but far from being the master piece everyone is talking about.
The same team who brought us in 2005 "Batman Returns" is back for another turn. The first movie was balanced: Bruce Wayne and Batman origins', the story as a whole, the action sequences, the sets, the bat-gadgets and all actors... even for a running time of 2h20.

One of the "The Dark Knight" flaws is its length, because they used the same bad formula as in "Spiderman 3": to develop 2 main villain characters for 2h30.
The ace is this film is really the Joker, who feels more like a really bad-tough-dangerous-motherf***** than a simple villain! eheheh This role from the late Heath Ledger is very good, those kind of roles that belong in the Villains Hall of Fame!

Another problem with this film is Batman's voice. Come on, really, it looks like our superhero suffers from lung cancer after smoking for years! As soon as Bruce Ways puts on his bat-suit, he almost starts to talk in a Terminator-like tone of voice.

Last but not least, this new Batman is very very high-tech geek! I always enjoyed his gadgets, some more believable than others... but the new bat-sonar is too much! It's almost like watching "Mission: Impossible".

Thumbs up for the great casting, action sequences, soundtrack and cinematography!
I liked the movie and I recommend you to watch it in a movie theater, as always... and maybe you'll join the bat-hype! Just beware of the Joker... :)

Why so serious?

Gentlemen, start your cooking engines!

Everyone likes to enjoy a nice meal, taste regional food or maybe just grab some light snacks. Eating is always easier than cooking, but the same way I love a good meal, I really like to cook and prepare different kind of dishes.

It's true that I never posted here my experiences, because besides the pictures I take from my prefered meals, I also take pictures of almost everything I cook! eheheh It's my kitchen laboratory... or kit lab! eheheh

I'm not a chef of course but I like to keep learning and to improve my cooking skills. So recently I was lucky enough to take a cooking class, here in Paris. The same way it's easy to find a good place to eat, there are many places where you can learn how to cook or to learn new stuff.

It's interesting because you can have from 1 hour class to a full day or more. You take the class you want: prepare one dish or a menu (starter, main course and dessert). And at the end everyone seats together and eat whatever it was cooked! eheheh The wine is offered! eheh

This is something anyone can try on a visit to Paris. Instead paying a lunch in a restaurant, why not prepare some french dish taught by a real chef?

Coming up next: a wine tasting class! eheheh

X-Files: I Used to Believe...

The X-Files tv show was one of the best during the 90's. In some ways it stood as a reference, before other tv shows like Heroes or Lost.

I remember to watch the pilot episode by pure chance. It was a Sunday night back in 1994 if I remember, and during a quick zapping before going to sleep I saw... something. A forest, darkness, a very bright light behind the trees... so far, nothing special... and then the famous theme starts.
A big X, I want to believe, government denies knowledge, paranormal activity, the truth is out there... and I was hooked!
From that day on I got addicted to X-Files. Yes, I like and I believe (to some extent) in the paranormal and in extra-terrestrial life (don't confuse it with little green men). Above all, I like a good conspiracy, when something is being hidden from the public opinion (that was my big reason to read The Da Vinci Code! eheheh).

And so it was like this that I started my alien-conspiracy-addiction. I bought dozens of VHS tapes in order to record all episodes... and I even skipped some classes in university in order to arrive home in time! eheheh Hey, it could be worst, right? eheh

Besides the paranormal, aliens and government activities, the show had two big stars: Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. A different angle from the good cop/bad cop, where one played the open minded agent and the other the religious/scientific one. For years the chemistry worked marvellous, with dilemmas regarding what is true and what is believable, without being explicit and at the same time keeping a reasonable distance between a man/woman relationship.

This week I saw the latest X-Files: I Want to Believe ... and I really would like to believe. It's not a bad movie, but you must look at it as a long TV episode, nothing more. The movie doesn't bring any of the highlights that made it famous. It was nice to see both actors together again, fighting for the same causes, but at the end there was no justification for a new feature film. Replace the main characters by any others... et voilá, you have your typical thriller.

Ten years after the first X-Files movie (in 1998) fans were expecting a little bit more... and this was exactly my reaction after seeing the latest Indiana Jones movie! :P

One thing these two movies have in common: each one have a music theme that no one will never, never, never forget.
I do believe...

Let's go to the beach... in Paris!

If you can't go to the beach, the beach will come to you. This could be the motto for all parisiens that would like to enjoy a sandy beach, sea and sun, without going too far.

Paris-Plage (Paris Beach if you prefer) is the name of the project that was created in 2002, which transforms part of a public road into a pedestrian and leasure area, with green and sandy areas.

It's not a real beach of course, even if you have 100 m2 of sand (not much indeed) and water in front of you. By "water" I mean the Seine River and it's there just to be seen because you can't swim in it... although it would be fun to see the tourists' boats slaloming among swimmers! eheheh
That's what I call entertainement! :P

So, don't bother to bring your shorts or bikini... maybe just some sunscreen because even sunshine is not guaranteed! eheheh

Maybe you won't see the sunset over the horizon but I admit the view is unique. ;)

Do you know this man?

Wanted alive! Always alive! eheheh Is this face familiar to you? Anything? Well, it's supposed to be me, through the eyes of a street "artist" in Paris! :P

If you walk in some tourist spots at this town, is very easy to be approched by artists who wants to sketch your caricature and sell it, obviously.

Why did I asked to sketch mine? Well.... I didn't! eheh It was a quiet weekend afternoon, not so many tourists, and there was this "artist" who "offered" his service. Naturally, as always, I said no. But how can I pretend not to be a tourist if everytime I go out I carry my camera with me? It's the international standard for "Tourist here"! eheh

Anyway, this guy didn't accepted no for an answer, and he kept lowering the price, lowering, until was almost for free! So I felt sorry for this guy, because he was bored and he wanted to kill time (before real tourists would arrive)! eheh

So I sat down on a small bench and we drew my best side... so I think! eheh A quick sketch which took around 10min, but it was long enough to change ideas, to show to him that I wasn't a tourist, our point of view of Paris and France, because he was also an immigrant.

Et voilá... this was the result of a quick caricature sketch on a parisien square. You can even notice a weird sketch of the Eiffel Tower, which looks more like a space rocket lifting off! eheh

But, and to answer the title question, do you know this guy? I think it doesn't look like me, but what was I expecting from a "fast-food sketch"? eheh There's no such thing as a free lunch! ;)

Hulk movie premiere smashed Paris

Finally! The green mean guy arrived in France! After being release all over the world in June "The Incredible Hulk" finally opens in France! At least the director was present to answer all our questions! eheheh

In 2003 the Hulk movie didn't get a positive reaction, besides the gamma reaction! eheh A too long movie, slow paced and a very light green super-hero were some of the negative reviews.
Now, 5 years later, the taiwanese director Ang Lee was "replaced" by the french Louis Leterrier. The result? Well, the french green touch is a lot better! ;)

I like this new Hulk. It's not a sequel from the first movie, because Leterrier tries to present another kind of Hulk, from scratch, with a great Edward Norton has the hero. The cast is completely new, which reinforces the idea of a "renewed Hulk movie".
Tim Roth is a convincing bad guy as The Abomination and I enjoyed seeing Liv Tyler as the girlfriend (instead of those "big" names like Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron etc).

For me the movie highlight was at the end, when Louis Leterrier stepped in to answer all kinds of questions from Hulk and movie fans.
And it was during this question and answer session that I found out how cool and down to earth guy Leterrier is.

Thanks to all the comics he read as a child/teenager, he got this opportunity to bring "new blood" to the Hulk series. From his first reactions from Universal Pictures, to the dinner to convince Edward Norton to jump aboard, the bad things from the first Hulk movie (yep, he also didn't like it! eheh) and even about the upcoming superhero movies, the night was full of interesting question and amusing answers.

As the movie theater had to close (it was a late night session), Leterrier proposed to continue the chat outside. How cool is that? :)





More Hulk videos (in french)

The french day

Vive la France! Hooray for the 14th July! No, I haven't become a french nationalist, but I like the 14th July... just because it's one less day of work! eheheh

I took the opportunity to see the famous parade which is held every year at Champs-Élysées. This time the french United Nation's force was invited to be present.
I enjoyed the parade, nothing amazing, but it's a good opportunity to see la créme de la créme of french military forces, aircrafts and vehicules.

In a time where everyone is talking about peace in Middle East, specially the french president Nicolas Sarkozy, it was funny to see almost a demonstration of force, like in communist countries! eheheh

Well, at least my tax money was used in a peacefull parade :P

Welcome to the jungle

Finally I managed to get some time to choose some photos from my wild adventure in the Amazon forest and river!
It was one full week of walking, hiking, rowing and being bitten... by insects of course! eheheh

Now that I look back I realize the one thing that I really enjoyed: no communications with the rest of the world. It's a fact: it's possible to live without mobile phones and internet! :)
Fishermen, local villagers and simple people in general, it was amazing to exchange ideas with all of them and all the good times around a fireplace in the jungle or by the river.

But there was also the dangerous part of the trip: piranhas, tarantulas, poisonous snakes, scorpions, wild boars and weird food :P I survived all that! eheh
Sleeping in a hammock in the heart of the jungle is one of my best memories, and waking up the following morning under heavy tropical rain.

Now I'm back to the city stress, while everyone and everything still lives calmly in the Amazon, away from traffic jam, projects' deadlines, bad internet connections, and all other modern life "diseases". :P

Enjoy the photos!

Alive and kicking!

From a jungle to another! This was my thought this morning, when I was going to work. Why? Well, there isn't a big difference between a tropical rainforest and the subway in Paris, specially if there is a strike.
Try to imagine a super-crowded subway, on a hot day with everyone sweating and voilá... you have another kind of jungle! eheheh

As you can realize I managed to survive all kinds of animals and weather conditions, but I would repeat it :)
It was a very rich experience, where I had contact with local villagers, fishermen and some pseudo-indians. Of course, the gastronomy was even better and spicy.

The second part of my vacation took me closer to the beach, to popular feasts and even more food! :P
In Brazil you eat well, and that doesn't necessary means quantity.

Well, I'll post more about my vacations (with pictures)... but I still have unpacking to do! ;)

I'll be back...

I'm about to leave for vacation, hoping to survive the deep rain forest jungle ;)

Of course I promise to return, to tell everything about my experience... in one piece, preferably! eheheh

No cell phones, no internet, no blog, no nothing! :P
I'll be out of reach for two weeks (well, many of you are happy about it, I know!) :P
I just hope to carry with me enough batteries and memory cards for my camera! eheheh

Besides the Amazon forest, I'll also celebrate Saint John's day in the city of Campina Grande, where the feist is more typical and popular.
Unfortunately I won't see much of the Euro 2008 cup... but I'll support Portugal in spirit! :)

If I don't show up in two weeks, feel free to search for me using Google Maps! :D

Monet's secret garden

After visiting Van Gogh's final address, now was the turn for Claude Monet.
Well, as you know I'm not into art, but I like to visit when is outside a closed museum :P

Claude Monet was a founder of french impressionism, and his home and garden tell us more about the life of this artist.
In fact, his garden became an attraction for tourists, thanks to many of his paintings.

The day was sunny, so I took the camera and headed to Giverny: Monet's final address. The trip was worthy because I learned more about Monet's work without being imprisoned in a museum. :P

Photos aren't allowed inside his home (where there are lots of paintings and collections of japanese art), but you can and must roam free at the gardens.

The famous japanese bridge (the subject of his Bridge over a Pool of Water Lilies), plants from all over the world, everything was intact, like time never passed by!

Some pictures, followed by the complete album ;)

Feel the rush!

And it's the kickoff! The Euro 2008 starts today, and I couldn't let pass the occasion without wishing good luck to my favourite team (hmmm... which team?) eheheh

During the next 3 weeks all football fans will breath, sweat and cry (well, only for those sick fans!)
Unfortunately I didn't choose the best time to go on vacation (almost one week away), but no matter where I'm going, my support will always be heard and feel! :)

And it's not so bad to be in Paris during an international football competition, after all the biggest foreign community here is portuguese! ;)

Now let's feel the rush! Go Portugal! Força!

Premiere - JCVD

"The Muscles from Brussels" has returned. If you hear the name Jean-Claude Van Varenberg maybe it rings some bells, but for sure you know him by his trademark name: Van Damme :)

J.C.V.D. is Van Damme's latest movie and believe me when I say it's different! eheh The martial arts action star had his glorious days back in the 80's and 90', where he fought everything and everyone! eheh
But now, in 2008, he returns as... himself. That's right. He plays as a "normal" Jean-Claude, who arrives in Brussels only to find himself in a very unusual situation: a post office robbery hostage, where one of the bad guys is his fan! eheh

J.C.V.D. premiere was held in Paris this week, in the presence of Van Damme, the director Mabrouk El Mechri and the "three bad guys". And don't you think he isn't famous anymore, because the movie theater was crowded.

Well, I also used to be his fan, before he started to go downhill with his career, and choosing bad movies to star, having weird interviews (the famous "1 + 1 = 1"), etc.

After Sylvester "Rocky" Stallone and Harry "Indiana" Ford, now is Van Damme who returns as an "old" and aged hero who accepts his condition and lives with it. ;)

The final result is a fun and entertaining movie, with a good script, which I recommend to all Van Damme fans. Don't count on action, but prepare yourselves to see a new and different Jean-Claude! ;)

I'm aware...



Part 2