Arraial do Cabo

Geeeeez! This blog has been so abandoned lately! Sorry, folks. It’s been at the bottom of my priority list, and the few times I tried to write, I couldn’t put a single sentence together. Bummer.

From Buenos Aires to Brazil: A New Adventure in Paradise

Anyway, FYI, I now live in one of those amazing places on Earth that everyone wants to visit. Picture this: I’m on a little peninsula surrounded by seven of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen. On a couple of these beaches, there are great surf waves; on the others, you’ll find beautiful corals and amazing diving. It’s sunny most of the year, and it only rains about 800mm annually. The town is small, safe (which is important since we’re in Brazil), and laid-back, though many people here are quite religious. I could probably write a whole post just about that—and I might, someday.

The Perks of Living in a Small Beach Town in Brazil

Monday through Friday feels like life in Buenos Aires—I work long hours on my laptop. By the time I’m done, usually around 7pm, it’s already dark. But getting up at 6:30 am to catch a few waves before work is totally worth it! And looking outside at the lush greenery and bright sun through the wide-open doors and windows of my new place? Priceless. Don’t even get me started on the weekends or the slightly salty sea breeze in the air. Of course, it wouldn’t be half as nice without the great company.

The Struggles of Living in a Remote Town: Costs and Everyday Challenges

Any downsides? A few, but they don’t come close to outweighing the good. Some of the living costs are a bit high. For instance, there’s no washing machine in our place, and sending laundry off costs about 25 dollars per load. The internet is unreliable, weak, and costs 100 dollars per month for the cheapest connection. 75% of our electricity bill is taxes, and I’m pretty sure we’re paying for our neighbors' electricity too. Then, there are a few things we’re still adjusting to: mosquitoes, bugs, the smell of rotting trash, and the cat that pees on our 'Welcome' mat... more trash... you get the idea. On the bright side, I’ve got the roaches under control—this is now a roach-proof fortress!

Over and out.