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

Restos - L'Epouvantail

After a long break from my gastronomic experiences, I decided today to post my latest review (it sounds very professional, doesn't it?). :P
It's funny when you go to a restaurant someone recommended, which is far away from home, in another city, even without exploring those closer to you. I had such experience when I was living in Nice, where I found a great great restaurant (which includes the usual criteria price, quality and service) right next to my door! eheh

Once again, a had similar experience, when I went to L'Epouvantail (Rue Jarente, 4th arrondissement). It's your typical small restaurant, where tables are close to each other, making almost impossible to have some privacy, but after living here for a while you get used to it.

While looking at the menu, we were offered a starter. A small cup with a carrot soup and persil. Very tasty. For real starters the choice went to the grilled asparagus with parmesan, and I accepted the suggestion for the day's special, a delicious codfish fillet placed on top of a small portion of mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

The surprise came for last, a generous hot dessert of strawberry and cheese. I'm still looking for the its recipe ;)

Although prices are slightly above the average, the excellent service, where employees always welcomed and served clients with a smile (and it's a rare thing around here). :P

This time the pictures are not so great... I forgot the official camera for meals ;)