I used to live in Salvador, Brazil and it has been seven years since I have been back. One of my New Years Resolutions for 2009 was to return. Well, last month I told Paul I wanted to start planning the trip. He then (very sweetly) reminded me how we don’t have room in our budget to go. So I made a deal with him. I said that I would pay for the trip by selling the old stuff we have in our basement. And if I had enough by the middle of March then we would use that money on airplane tickets. So far I’ve sold my jogging stroller that I never use, my stash of climbing gear from college, and our old computer that we kept forgetting to sell, and a bunch of other random stuff. It has been fun to have this challenge. After I make enough to buy the tickets I have to figure out a way to pay for lodging and the rest of the trip. Hopefully in a few months I’ll be right here:
caroline
March 16, 2009
take me with you! that sounds like a really good (and inspiring) plan.
Alicia
March 16, 2009
were you a church missionary in Brazil? I would have absolutely listened to your lessons if you came to my door!
Laura
March 16, 2009
what a fabulous goal! and of course, a lovely pic. best of luck! hope you make it back to brazil…
Sarita Emilia
March 16, 2009
boa sorte! que lugar maravilhoso!
anh-minh
March 16, 2009
Good luck, Jordan!
Jamie
March 16, 2009
Boa Sorte! I also lived in Brazil for two years and am always looking for an excuse (and the money) to get back there.
Dé
March 16, 2009
Jordan, why don´t you come to visit Rio? You would love it!
Grover
March 16, 2009
Wow! That pic looks like heaven…..*sigh*
Becky
March 16, 2009
I’ve never been there, but my Husband went as part of a clinic abroad with his chiropractic school, and speaks very highly of it. I hope you make enough $$ for your trip!
Maggie May
March 17, 2009
that photo is unreal!
Sharon
March 17, 2009
sounds great!best of luck with this project;)
hope you’ll go soon
kgbgraphics
March 17, 2009
With two babies (almost under two) I can understand the $…
I had an opportunity to go to London, but babies need diapers! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration, I might have to go on a selling spree myself, afterall I have till March 2010 to get it all on board.
Good Luck to you, because like my grandma’s advice goes, do it now the $ will catch up to you, your health will NOT! 🙂
juliana
March 17, 2009
jordan, i am a brazilian who is a big fan of your blog. i am a graphic designer and live in nyc now. it was fun to find out that you have lived in brazil. i´m sure you´ll be able to go there again soon!
Megan
March 17, 2009
Boa sorte, menina!
Patricia Scarpin
March 17, 2009
That is amazing! How long did you live there?
Being a Brazilian, it’s great to hear good things about my country – usually people tend to highlight only the violence and poverty here.
Anonymous
March 17, 2009
hi ! I often read your blog but don't leave messages…. Regarding the cost of your stay, why don't you try http://www.servas.org, my cousin went 10 days in the UK with this system and she enjoyed a lot ! You receive the lodging for free and in exchange you share your roots, culture & co. It's a cheap but very interesting way of travelling.
A bientot,
Corinne (Switzerland)
jess
March 17, 2009
Jordan, I lived in Salvador right after you left… but I always heard such great things about you 😉 I may have a friend that has connections so let me know if you need any help finding a place to stay!
Annabanana
March 17, 2009
good luck! i hope you get to go…sounds like a lot of fun! will you take Moses with you? .
Rayana
March 17, 2009
I’ve been there on vacations when I was 9 and it was great! It’s such a beautiful city, and the architecture… oh god!
Looks a lot like the city where I live. Recife also has houses similar to the Pelourinho. You should come to see!
Best wishes for you!
Greetings from brazil!
ellen
March 17, 2009
I went to Salvador several years ago when I was in college — it was so beautiful, I just loved it! Good luck with “Operation Brazil!” :o)
Jenna
March 18, 2009
Wow – make it happen!
Laura
March 18, 2009
this photo is so whimsical & gorgeous…it looks like a painting.
Carla Cavellucci Landi
March 18, 2009
I’m brazilian, from Sao Paulo, living near NY… and I’ve been there, in Salvador, when I was 10… unforgettable. The picture is real… hope you can make it!
christina
March 19, 2009
I visited Brasil two years ago and I loved it! The people are so kind and hospitable while the culture is fascinating and rich in history. If you head back to the northeast around july, Recife will have their annual FeneArte festival where artisans from all over come together to sell their art and handicrafts. Since you both are creative types, I think it would make an impression.
How about Lençóis Maranhenses? I heard they have camels that can take you around the sand dunes and blue lagoons. Next time I visit, I would like to visit this place as well as Fortaleza to see the women who make the handmade laces, also known as renda di bilros. Rio is also a must if you haven’t already been.
Boa Sorte!
stephrudolph
March 20, 2009
If you live somewhere that others want to visit, it may be worth looking into a house swap b/c you can’t beat FREE accommodations. I’ve been considering that for myself to get to take a vaca on the cheap. You can check out option on http://www.homeexchange.com or http://www.homeforswap.com.
Happy Travels!!
lovelydharma
March 20, 2009
AA’s having amazing sales right now on tickets to Brazil.
check out their website – round trips for something like $600 bucks.
Alas, they are not so cheap on trips originating from here…(I’d like to sell stuff to finance a trip back north and enjoy spring!)
Stephanie
March 24, 2009
We operate this way too…I’m heading to France next week with my sister and paid for the trip the exact same way! Doesn’t it feel good? I enjoy it that much more…
Mique (as in Mickey)
March 31, 2009
Hi Jordan!
My husband & I went to Brazil 2 1/2 years ago to visit a family that he became REALLY close to on his mission- he happened to serve in Salvador. So we went to the falls, Salvador & Recife. I did a post about it when I first started blogging (so it's a bit embarassing) that I thought you might like:
http://adventureswiththeprovosts.blogspot.com/2006/10/pure-paradise.html
I have over 1000 pics from our trip so that one post doesn't do it justice AT ALL.
We've traveled the world (Spain, Tahiti, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Hawaii, etc) and that trip was BY FAR my favorite EVER.
Good luck on making it there. I so hope you do! 😉
p.s. That pic on your post brought me RIGHT BACK to my trip.
p.s.s. I know a few families that I'm sure wouldn't mind visitors. Nicest people ever in Brazil. They actually came and stayed with us for Christmas for 3 weeks last year. Miss them. And Brazil.
Mique (as in Mickey)
March 31, 2009
Forgot- we went to Rio too. Of course. 😉