Where has this passion for getting away come from?

I really cannot remember when this great passion for getaways had its start in my life.

I can remember a few trips that my mom and I used to take when I was still a little girl. However I cannot recall exactly how old I was at that time. I can only remember bits and pieces of it all. And, knitting these bits and pieces to the stories mommy tells me, I have the feeling I've gone through a whole lot.

My mom has always been adventurous, and likes to travel. As she did not have another choice at that time, she had to take me with her.

Maybe this passion for going away exists because when I was about 4 or 5, I can recall I was in a completely unknown city, sitting quietly on the pavement waiting for my mom to call every possible hotel and find us an available room. Of course it is the best option to travel 12h by bus with a child and not have booked a hotel to stay. By the way, it really happened, and it was in Caldas Novas-GO-Brazil.

Maybe the deep interest for escaping arose from once, when we were in Cambuquira-MG-Brazil and went to Sao Lourenco-MG-Brazil (2 near towns). We missed the last bus and were forced to ask for a ride. No one would give us a lift. Except for a truck that stopped and gave us a ride back. That was when I saw myself sleeping through boxes of caustic soda. That really happened when I was about 6 years old.

Perhaps it could have come from many long road trips, in which the car got stuck in the mud, or when the police stopped my father for over speeding, and he hid the car documents into my snack pack blaming the policeman for losing them, only to get away with receiving a fine. Yep, I was about 6 or 7.

You know, I have NO idea where that comes from. I just know I am crazy about getting away, travelling, knowing cultures, habits, languages, currencies, and the weirdest: SHOPS AND SUPERMARKETS. I am a fan of supermarkets in different places. For me, they seem like culture alive.

So, let’s escape and write about it all? 

Quando será que começou a minha paixão pelo pé-na-estrada?

Não consigo me lembrar quando foi que essa paixão por viagens começou!

Lembro-me de diversas viagens que minha mãe fazia comigo quando era pequenininha. Não consigo saber exatamente quantos anos eu tinha nas minhas lembranças, só consigo ver flashes. Unindo esses flashes às histórias que a Dna. Maria Rita (minha mãe) conta, tenho a sensação de que já passei por poucas e boas, ou muitas e absurdas...

Minha mãe sempre foi muito aventureira, e sempre gostou de viajar. Mas, como ela não tinha outra saída, me levava junto.

Será que a paixão pelo pé-na-estrada veio de quando estava em cidades desconhecidas, lá com meus 4-5 anos, sentadinha na calçada enquanto a mamis ligava para todos os hotéis da cidade procurando vaga? Porque claro, para que facilitar e reservar hotel antes de sair de casa? O animado mesmo é a aventura de sair com uma criança pequena, tomar um ônibus de mais de 12 horas, e chegar sem saber onde vai ficar! A propósito, isso foi em Caldas Novas-GO.

Ou será que veio de uma vez em que estávamos em Cambuquira-MG, fomos até São Lourenço-MG e perdemos o último ônibus, sendo obrigadas a pedir carona, e quando conseguimos, voltamos na calada da noite em uma caçamba de caminhão que transportava soda-cáustica? É, isso realmente aconteceu, e eu devia ter no máximo 6 anos.

Talvez possa ter vindo das diversas viagens que fazíamos de carro de São Paulo-SP até o Bonito-MS, ou Dourados-MS, em que o carro atolava. Uma vez, um guarda parou meu pai na estrada, e para não tomar multa, ele escondeu os documentos dentro do meu Cheetos, e culpou o guarda por tê-los perdido. Sim, uns 6-7 anos!

Olha, não faço a mínima ideia. Só sei que eu tenho esse negócio por passeios, viagens, culturas, línguas, dinheiros, hábitos, e o mais estranho: SUPERMERCADOS. Eu sou fã número um de mercados de terras desconhecidas. Para mim, eles são a melhor expressão da cultura viva de um povo.

Então, vamos viajar e escrever das viagens???

Mi Buenos Aires querido! (My dear Buenos Aires!)

What else can I say about Buenos Aires? I guess the traditional tango “Mi Buenos Aires querido” by Mr. Carlos Gardel summarizes it all. A lively, romantic, beautiful, lovely, quiet, exciting, dancing, shopping, modern, ancient, clean, “fall-in-loveable” capital city of Argentina.

If you've been to Buenos Aires once you feel like coming back all time. That is actually my experience. I have been there three times already, and feel like I should go more and more. I had the chance to experience three different Buenos Aires, and could fall in love with each one of them.

Sightseeing Buenos Aires, simply amazing places to visit: historical monuments, cultural museums, full of colourful flower parks, lively streets and large avenues, pleasant places.

 Nightlife Buenos Aires, Clubbing experience: shining lights, lively clubs, beautiful and interesting people, good music, exciting dance, great rhythm, amazing native teachers, great and inexpensive drinks…

Romantic Buenos Aires: Breath-taking views, delicious restaurants, incredible wine, well-designed and pleasant cafés, great food, romantic atmosphere, beautiful places, sexy tango shows, cosy and luxury hotels.

These were my three different perceptions of this lovely city, but I am sure there is a special one ready for you to experience! I recommend Buenos Aires with all my heart and passion for the country, people, language, habits, romantic atmosphere, breathtaking views, and all the outstanding thingsI have experienced in this place! Go see the colourful flowers everywhere and take your chance to fall in love with the city for yourself!
Finally, not forgetting to mention the great alfajores, best Argentinean wine and inexpensive shops! Mi Buenos Aires querido! How much do I miss this city. I can say I fell in love with it and just like the old traditional tango:

“ Just thinking of you

Makes all my heartaches

Scatter away”

“Memories chasing

One after another”

“My Buenos Aires, dear city,

When I see you once again,

There’s no more forgetting or pity”.