The journey to Ilha Grande, and shedding some tears.

January 11-12, 2010

So, like I said, I was on my own again. On January 10, I got a taxi from Tucano hostel, and had an entertaining ride to the bus station, considering he only spoke Portuguese and I could only say a few phrases. Somehow with Spanish and English, we managed. Took an overnight bus (#1) ride from Florianopolis to Sao Paulo, about 11 hours, arriving around 930am. I was told it was very easy to get a bus to Ilha Grande. That was very.... wrong! After visiting a few different bus companies and really having no idea what was going on, I bought a bus ticket to someplace called Barra Mansa for 12 pm. So I had 3 hours to kill. Luckily, this bus station had an internet cafe-yay! I took that bus (#2) for 4.5 hours and then arrived at the next station and they told me to get the next bus(#3) to Angarra dos Reis. That bus was about 2 hours. This is when things started to get humorous..

Once I arrived in Angarra, I had to somehow get to the port where I could take a boat to the island. The bus driver attempted to explain to me, despite the fact that I said "No farla Portuguese" (I don't speak Portuguese!!)... so he told me to wait (with hand gestures), so I stood around confused for a few minutes. Then he gestured for me to get back on the bus(#4). He then drove me to the port!! What is funny is this was one of the normal buses that holds about 50 people...so it was like my own luxury bus ride there!! What a savior he was.

Then here is where my probably most significant traveling story really hits home. So I get to the port (yay!) and make my way to some tourist office. I ask about getting a bus to the island, and somehow understand that there are NO.MORE.BOATS. today. It took me a few times to accept that there were really no more boats going there..so then I walked outside.

I sat on a bench. With my big backpack on my back, my daypack on my front, and my shoulder bag on my shoulder. And I felt sad. I simply sat there wanting to cry-trying not to be a baby but my eyes still watered and I wiped tear after tear away. (I know, what a pathetic picture I am painting here). I felt so defeated!! After 4 buses, about 20 hours of traveling, and now alone in some nothing town where I don't speak the language. AHHHHH!

After about 10-15 minutes of sad time, I thought "OKAY!" I need to find someplace to sleep. So I walked back to the tourist office and told the men I needed to find a hotel, hostel, anywhere to sleep. Basically by putting my hands under my head and making a "sleeping"hand signal. :) Anyways, they called some woman who spoke English and she told me to go to Caribe Hotel, which was close. So it was a little adventure finding it as I would show someone on the street the name written down on a piece of paper, and they'd point and explain in Portuguese...but I eventually found it. And guess what? The receptionist spoke some English! YES! It was a hotel, not a hostel, and the price was pricey, but I didn't care. It was just one of those days!

So I went up to my room, and it was no palace, but I was happy!! My own room with air conditioning, a tv, my own bathroom!! I showered and then went to get some food. That night was also the first time I saw and had grape soda, which truly became one of my favorite things about Brazil. ;)

So, I realized that this was one of my most significant experiences of the trip. Finding out there were no more boats to the island that night was really....upseting. I was sweaty, tired, hungry, had just taken 4 different buses, was alone, couldn't speak the language...

But what matters is-I handled it. I gave myself a little time to feel sorry for myself, and then I had the realization that I was the only one who was going to take care of myself, and I need food & sleep. And I learned, you are capable of more than you realize!

I recall a family friend, Mike Z's Dad, Ed, actually telling me about one time how he advised Mike while traveling "…ask about a hotel…get a room…sleep it off…you’ll feel better once you get some rest and a new days’ perspective." Well, that was exactly right. I needed a place to shower, some food, and a place to sleep. And guess what? That morning, I woke up feeling well rested and happy, and caught the first boat to Ilha Grande! :)