i get decadent when i'm not working. this is a problem

Yesterday I was pretty lazy, and didn't work on the stuff I wanted to do. I did, however, get started at least, by going to the Atelie Culinario Cafe at the artsy movie theater, which was packed with people doing work, reading, studying, and having creative meetings. It's just a good ambience to get the creative juices flowing. I was really in the mood for a decent, Cozi-like sandwich, which I got for the bargain price of R$15, albeit with no salad or chips or anything. Cozi used to have a sandwich a lot like it, but this one was brie, pears, walnuts, and honey. MmmMMmM.

At night, I went out with my American friends to celebrate their last night in Rio before they go back to Salvador, and they brought two other American friends and we went to the champagne bar Ovelha Negra. It's like an old English pub, but they only serve champagne and yummy food. We had 3 bottles between 6 people and it was dandy, and we only paid around R$14 each (we got the bargain bottles).

Now, despite having a fever, Eli is going to work and I am heading out to get my hair cut (cue horror movie music). I have not had luck getting my hair done abroad--the worst was in the DR when the lady literally wouldn't stop cutting and I flipped out. In Buenos Aires, I was sitting next to a girl getting a full on rocker mullet and I sweat profusely the whole time in fear that I was going to get some form of the infamous Argentine mullet.

Hopefully I'll have better luck here.

UPDATE: So I went to a little salon on my street, and a silent lady cut my hair. It was one of the weirdest hair cuts I've ever had. First, she rinsed my hair, but didn't wash it, and then proceeded to rake a comb through my hair which reminded me of when I was 5 and my Dominican babysitter would do the same thing. I told her I wanted a trim and showed her about the inch and a half I wanted off and she whips out this strange little hair trimmer that looks like a comb with little razor blades in each tooth. Then she proceeds to use this little instrument to cut, angle, and layer my hair.

At first I was a little freaked out, especially when she didn't seem to be stopping, but then she went to put the trimmer down towards the end of the haircut and it fell and broke. Weird. So then she used a scissors to even out the ends. It was the exact opposite of what my hairdresser at home does, since she uses one of those little trimmer things to even the ends and layer my hair. Then after she evened the ends, she fluffed my hair a bit, but didn't dry or style it. "R$15," she said. So I paid her US$8.50 and was on my way. I've had better hair cuts, but I've definitely had worse.

Then I rewarded myself at the ice cream cafe down the street with a creme-filled donut and their version of a Starbucks Frapucchino, which was a lot richer and served in an old-fashioned milkshake glass with tons of whipped cream and cinammon. And they heated the donut so the filling singed my tongue--and they also gave me a knife and a fork to eat it!

The constant renovations on our building are in full swing, and this week it's putting some wax coating on the front patio, so that you can't get in through the front door. However, we don't have keys to the service entrance so we may get locked out later. Oh the joys of Brazilian rentals.

Comments

[Dan]

Hi,
I stumbled upon your blog and I have really enjoyed reading it. I wonder if you could give me some advice. I really want to go to Brazil. I've been interested in the country and its culture since I was in high school, and I had a Brazilian girlfriend who increased my interest even more. But...I'm scared to go. The crime seems so bad. Everyone I know who has been there has had at least a small - and in some cases a big - run-in with a bad guy. I would be traveling alone and would know very little Portuguese. What do you think? Should I go and take my chances or should I wait until it is safer to travel there?

[Dan]

Well, no, your reply doesn't help and it's pretty snotty as well. The crime rate in Rio and Salvador is much higher than in the other locales you mention, and it is reasonable to consider crime when considering a trip to Brazil. You prove it: in the short time you have been in Rio, your blog describes more scenes of street violence than I have seen in years.

I have recently traveled in scummy parts of Manhattan, Spain, and other European countries and I am planning a trip to Southeast Asia. In contrast to your suggestion, I am not generally fearful of new places and do not sit at home afraid of my shadow. Your arrogant reply reflects a superficial outlook on your present experience.

[cecilia]

i suppose you went to one of those salons where you have to pay extra for the wash...