Trip to Uruguay and something else

First of all, I wanted to thank all girls who sent me good wishes on my tooth. You ladies are the best! It's really way better now, and thankfully pain-free. Big hug to each one of you who left a sweet comment for me!

 Now the news... Friday night I got in a bus, with a bunch of friends, and headed to the Brazil/Uruguay border. Rivera was the destination.

We have Santana do Livramento at the Brazilian side and Rivera at the Uruguayian side.

It's a really nice trip and the city, tho small, is cute. That was the second time I went to Uruguay - 1st time I went to Chuí, the last city down south Brazil - and again, I felt funny with all the Portuguse/Spanish mix. We speak Port here, but most ppl at the US and Europe think we speak Spanish. We are South America's largest country, and still... Anyways...

Rivera is a sweet little town, very calm and with some old really beautiful buildings.I just love all the little white and baby blue flags all around. That's something I miss at my own country... We don't really see many Braz flags around here.I dunno why... I think our green and yellow are just so pretty. Yes, I'm a proud Brazzie, but you may already had noticed it. Lol.

The weather was nice, very sunny, yet cool, with a refreshing breeze, inviting for walks and pictures, and that was what I did.

Here you guys can see a bit more of the city.

I was impressed that square was really clean and neat. One thing I really like are the trees. Since Brazil is such a large place we have many kinda diff trees and plants, according to where you are. It's really like having several countries in a big one. The more you go to the south the more European looking plants you see, because of the cooler weather.

Tho there are times I miss the NE side of Brazil, where I lived for the past 5 years, I surely am really happy I'm back to the south.

                                             

                                       

Uruguay doesn't tax imported products like Brazil does, so we can go there and buy all sort of things, for a waaaay cheaper price. This trip was all about it. My friends were all excited about the chance. As a Brazilian, we can buy anything we want, if we don't go over 300USD. Anything above it, will be charged. Girls with me went nuts about all the perfumes. Guys were all about eletronics. It's funny cuz when you go buy something, they always provide you with 3 diff currencies: "pesos, reais or US dollars?" On this pic here you can see one of the main streets, completely covered on duty free stores.Being a (really) small city, sellings play a huge roll on the economy there. It's interesting to see.                                             

                             

I felt weird... I honestly don't get that fuss around famous brands of perfumes and all. D&G, Givenchy, Calvin Klein...Yes, they are nice, but Brazilian brands appeal more to my heart. I don't like the stronger smells European and US perfums have. Maybe cuz Brazil is a hotter place, I prefer the lighter smells. I think they suit better to our weather. I go by O Boticário and Natura, thanks. Plus, I don't buy things just cuz of their names... I got the chance to try that Ricci Ricci, by Nina Ricci, and honestly, I hated it. It's just TOO sweet. I looove sweet perfums, so, if I say it was TOO sweet, believe me: it is. The bottle is awesome. Someone did a great work on the design. The color and the ad is really eye catching, but the smell,... omg.  Just not for me.

Instead I got myself this really refreshing and light Gabriela Sabatini's, Ocean Sun. That's exactly the kinda thing I like. Simple, sweet, yest not TOO sweet, kinda floral one. You can use it by day or night. Kinda remember me the beach, some summer night dinner at a balcony, white dress, sun tanned skin, wind drying hair...You got the idea, right? Lol.
Girls on the bus were shocked I got only one bottle of perfume.Many got several. I got to think to myself  "they use really a lot of perfume, other than that they will end up with lots of bottles of stinky old perfumes",  I mean, come on! I rather use something till the end and then buy something else. I got to the conclusion I'm a man. Lmao. I like to think I'm just not that consumist. What about you? On a scale from zero to ten, being 10 = Carie Bradshaw ( Sex& The City... remember?), what are you?

We then went for lunch. A very cozy place named "Chic Parisien" (or at least I think that was the name). Homemade style food, really yummy and nice. The zuccini (kind of) pie and the broccoli salad was delicious. That meaty thingy at the left side of the dish is something I only ate at Uruguay, tho I know there are ppl here in Brazil who cook/eat it: tongue. Yes... A cow's tongue, with sort of a salsa over it. Weird enough but also delicious. Deserves a try, definatly.I'm slowly reducing meat on my diet and aim the day when I will be completely meat free. So far so good. Sodas are already out of my life for the past 2 years. Yaaay me!
A bit more of shopping (candies, shirts, socks, black pepper, wines, chocolates) later and off to the bus, waiting for the time to come back home.       

We had a Secret Santa on the way back home. I really like that game...The budget was R$10, but many over did it. I got an older guy's name, and offered him a bottle of wine. If I correctly recall it was a Chilean one and I'm pretty sure he liked it.Good! I got this precious Revlon 670 - Love That Red nail polish. I was actually debating with myself if I should or shouldn't buy it (after all, we do have Revlon products here, but their prices are just awesome) and ended up getting distracted with some girl screaming "omg!!!!! I need to buy this Channel!!!!!!!". Lol.  Women are really funny creatures, and I just love to be one of them. Hee hee... The girl who got my name wasn't very close to me, but correctly guessed what I would like to get. That's the 1st time I'm gonna try this brand. Let's see...
Arrived home around midnight, tired, but happy. It was a nice experience.

                                                

 Today was elections day here and I did it 1st thing in the morning. Off to Porto Alegre, and spent the morning at the antiques fair. But before it, on the road, I was the guardian angel of a little soul: a white and brown Shitzu girl was lost and wandering, calmly on the side walk. Twice she almost got hit by a car and a bus. My heart was in my mouth by then... I approached her, sweet talked her and grabbed the little one. She managed to escape home, while her mommy was busy putting up a kid's party. The look on her eyes when she got her baby - Shakira! Lol, what a funny name! - was priceless. I have 2 of my own, but couldn't keep myself from thinking about keeping her. Just the sweetest, lovable, cuddling little one. 

I just felt happy and proud of myself today. =)

What about you? How was your weekend?

Back on track and talking about Rio

Hi, everybody!
I think I was sad for enough time: bragged a bit, whined a lot, cried (I do that when extremely pissed on something) and wanted to smash somebody's face. Almost gave up on something very special and important to me... But eventually, I moved on. There're not much options apart from that, uh? =/ Must believe things are gonna get better one way or another. Faith... In the end, its all about faith.
Anyways... I went to Rio, for a few days: I'm now the newest very proud Godmother of baby Flávia, my niece. =)
Here are the pics I want to share with you girls!

She was sooo pretty on her dress! Godmother's gift! =)

She wasnt very happy when the Father drop all that water over her head... Cried and kicked as much as she could, lol. Must be scary... She finally went to mommy's arms (my sister) and fell asleep.

"Bug off" face... lmao

I also enjoyed my time back at my home town to go to the downtown area o the city. Its plenty of history and beautiful architecture. It couldn't be diff, since Rio was for a long time the capital city of Brazil.(Its Brasília from the 60's on).

Lots of comercial buildings.

Pictures dont make any justice to this cathedral.

When at Rio I could never miss the chance to visit the CCBB (Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil). Its a culture place filled with exhibitions, teather, cinema, etc...

After your 1st step into the place, theres no way your chin doesnt hit the floor: the architecture is amazing!!!! At the right side you have a books shop and over it a cozy, super fancy cafe.

Time for a "ooooh" and a "aaahhh".

CCBB was placed in a 1906's building, that was initially used as a headquarter of the bank from the 20's on.

The back side of the 1st floor.

Looking from above you can have a better idea on how beautiful this place is.

Unfortunately no cams were allowed on the exhibitions areas... Shame... There were plenty! Absolutely awesome works and interesting stuff. Well... this skylight is quite a piece of art too, so, I can't complain. =)

On a stitching note, I started and finished this towels set while at Rio.I was planning on keeping it for myself, but... After mom saying "oh, God... I know you keep almost none of your works for yourself... But... This one is coming along sooooo nice!!!" there was no way I could back home with this set with me, uh? LMAO

What do you girls think? It was really nice to stitch, tho unbelievebly thread and time consuming. I like the final effect too... Plz forgive me all the wrinkles!! I took the pic right after taking the towels out from the dryer! Lol. I finished it hrs before my flight and left the set with my sis to surprise mom after I left. =)

Thank you all, dear friends, for all kind mesages left here. Really touched my heart! Super duper kiss on each one of you!

Sunday on the road...

This last Sunday I went to Caxias do Sul, a nearby small (maybe not that small) town on the hills, around 1,5 hrs from here. My dear friend Bárbara lives there and we set a meeting so we both could enjoy the Grape Fest that is happenning there. It was awesome and I want to share some pics with you! =)



I do enjoy getting the road, no matter where, but when it looks like this... OMG, totally love it!



Much needed pitstop for a quick breakfast at Morro Reuters. That side of the country is famous by the high mumber of German and Italian families and they make really good food.

The architecture of the buildings is quite German too, and I absolutely love it. Here is a cafe, right at the next of the gas station.It was kinda complex with stores and a small restaurant too.

All town was decorated for the fest. Bordeux was the color everywhere. At Dante's park, right in the middle of the town, they built this house. Kids just love it!Those lil dolls you see on it are representing the rural ppl who provide us with those delicious grapes and wines.Oh, yes! That's me! =P

Its was such a nice morning! 26C.Gotta love it! Such a relief after the past few weeks, when temps went crazy high... This fellow here welcomes everybody who visits the town.

Still at the Dante's park, a wine fountain. Wooow... But it's not really wine. Lol. Just tinted to get everybody in the mood.

Got my girl friend and off to the fest arena. Now, isnt she just a cutie?! =)

Southern men typicaly dress like that and this one was right at the entrance of the arena. He was playing the accordeon, a very typical instrument here too.See all the grape looking balloons? They were everywhere.

The Queen and the Princesses of the fest. Southern women are considerated the prettiest ones in the country.Do you agree?

Shopping time for Bárbara! Lol.Bread they made right at the spot. Yummy!

There was a few exhibitions of ancient things, used at the beginning of the last century, at the country side.

Isnt it just beautiful?! I love it!

Overview of the town... Not that small, uh? It was such a beautiful day...

From the arena we took a drive around the town. Such a pretty place...

A hug under the trees! (gee, Im fat! Huuuuge cheecks! lol)

Headed the Monkey's Park after that. Its named like that cuz in the past it used to have plenty of them on the trees. I didnt see any, so I think they moved from noisy human presence. =/

Very nice area to walk, cycle, skate, or just hang out with pets and kids.

Day was ending and it was time to come back home. Just sneaked a final pic of the hills after stopping by a tent on the side of the road to buy a few super yummy kilos of grapes. It was such a lovely Sunday! Thanks, Barbarela!!!!