Bon Gia! Another sunny day here in Rio. Interestingly, it has not rained one single drop in the entire 2+ weeks I have been here in South America. How lucky is that?!
Today, the last full day of my adventure, I face the task of repacking my bulging suitcase and heading back to the North Hemisphere. The realization that this fantastic trip is coming to an end comes with mixed emotions and a hint of meloncholy as I see it come to close.
I spent most of the final day here in Rio de Janeiro at the beach. I was able to actualize a wild, perhaps-even-silly fantasy of mine that I had months ago when I first began imagining where this journey would take me. Of all the experiences I wanted to have while on this visit to South America, this was something I was almost looking forward to the very most - and yesterday, it came true for me.
I remember back in 1962, at the ripe age of nine years old, I first heard the world-wide sensational bossa nova smash hit, "The Girl from Ipanema", performed by Astrud Gilberto accompanied by the smooth, unforgettable solo on saxophone by the great Stan Getz. The song won a Grammy as "Record of the Year" in 1965, and everyone knew the words and melody. It was a song that, as a kid, evoked a place so far away and so exotic, I thought it could have been in another galaxy- this mysterious beach called Ipanema. Honestly, I had no idea where in the world it was, it was just somewhere very "cool", glamorous, exotic and hip I remembered thinking. To this very day, this song remains one of my favorite tunes of all time!
So yesterday as I donned my swimwear, towels, sandals and sunglasses, and my iPod, I walked the route down Rua Francisco Octaviano - the street that this famous young woman, tall, tanned, lean and lovely, strolled down on her way to sea, looking straight ahead (not at he) as everyone she passed went "Ahhhhh..." (go ahead now, sing along!) - listening to "The Girl from Ipanema" on my headphones. Actually, it was such a thrill for me, I listened to the song about 10 times, back-to-back. If you could have seen the smile on my face, you would have smiled too. .... It was another stellar moment for me and a totally surreal connection I made to my past that spanned almost fifty years. Here I was now: aging, retired and bald-headed and walking barefoot on the white, sandy beach: The Man from Ipanema!
As I pack up to return home, I reflect today on all of the ups and downs (literally) of this incredible trek through Latin America and think back to the agony and ecstasy I have experienced, the hundreds of thousands of faces I've studied and greeted, the heroes, angels and the few nemeses I've encountered, both the stunning beauty and abject poverty to which I've born witness and all of spectacular scenery and architecture I've had to privilege of observing. I have absorbed a ton of history and culture going back thousands of years. My expectations have, by far, been surpassed!
Yes, it has, at times, been extremely difficult, but I fully understood this heading into this Southern Hemisphere expedition. I remember Kathy, my agent, telling me during our first meeting, "Traveling in South America is NOT like traveling in Europe. It's entirely different." Oh, how right she was! At times, the world seemed to be upside-down and covered in molasses; everything moved so laboriously slow. Nothing worked right. Nothing made any sense. And there were days that my brain actually hurt from the frustration and fatigue.
But as I've told people, this is the kind of travel that turns me on. It's like casting myself in a real-life video game. I honestly crave this type of challenge.
Everything I had hoped for in this tour has been realized. I've seen two Modern Wonders of the World. I've seen trees covered in lizards, monkeys, a rare sighting of a sloth and new plants that have boggled the science center of my mind. I have crossed over the Equator (a dream I have had since childhood), walked in the footsteps of the powerful kings and queens of the Inca Empire, and lived the lush and luxurious life in the city of civilization's greatest parties: Carnival! I have laughed and cried, battled and chilled, learned and unlearned and connected again with globalism, multi-culturalism and humanity. I have lived it, thrived in it and survived.
For all of you who have walked this winding, often-tumultuous, exhilarating 28,000 mile path with me, on this last day of my blog, I say "gracias", "obrigado", thank you. I say "adios", "adeus", good-bye!
I send each of you my love. Juanito
Today, the last full day of my adventure, I face the task of repacking my bulging suitcase and heading back to the North Hemisphere. The realization that this fantastic trip is coming to an end comes with mixed emotions and a hint of meloncholy as I see it come to close.
I spent most of the final day here in Rio de Janeiro at the beach. I was able to actualize a wild, perhaps-even-silly fantasy of mine that I had months ago when I first began imagining where this journey would take me. Of all the experiences I wanted to have while on this visit to South America, this was something I was almost looking forward to the very most - and yesterday, it came true for me.
I remember back in 1962, at the ripe age of nine years old, I first heard the world-wide sensational bossa nova smash hit, "The Girl from Ipanema", performed by Astrud Gilberto accompanied by the smooth, unforgettable solo on saxophone by the great Stan Getz. The song won a Grammy as "Record of the Year" in 1965, and everyone knew the words and melody. It was a song that, as a kid, evoked a place so far away and so exotic, I thought it could have been in another galaxy- this mysterious beach called Ipanema. Honestly, I had no idea where in the world it was, it was just somewhere very "cool", glamorous, exotic and hip I remembered thinking. To this very day, this song remains one of my favorite tunes of all time!
So yesterday as I donned my swimwear, towels, sandals and sunglasses, and my iPod, I walked the route down Rua Francisco Octaviano - the street that this famous young woman, tall, tanned, lean and lovely, strolled down on her way to sea, looking straight ahead (not at he) as everyone she passed went "Ahhhhh..." (go ahead now, sing along!) - listening to "The Girl from Ipanema" on my headphones. Actually, it was such a thrill for me, I listened to the song about 10 times, back-to-back. If you could have seen the smile on my face, you would have smiled too. .... It was another stellar moment for me and a totally surreal connection I made to my past that spanned almost fifty years. Here I was now: aging, retired and bald-headed and walking barefoot on the white, sandy beach: The Man from Ipanema!
As I pack up to return home, I reflect today on all of the ups and downs (literally) of this incredible trek through Latin America and think back to the agony and ecstasy I have experienced, the hundreds of thousands of faces I've studied and greeted, the heroes, angels and the few nemeses I've encountered, both the stunning beauty and abject poverty to which I've born witness and all of spectacular scenery and architecture I've had to privilege of observing. I have absorbed a ton of history and culture going back thousands of years. My expectations have, by far, been surpassed!
Yes, it has, at times, been extremely difficult, but I fully understood this heading into this Southern Hemisphere expedition. I remember Kathy, my agent, telling me during our first meeting, "Traveling in South America is NOT like traveling in Europe. It's entirely different." Oh, how right she was! At times, the world seemed to be upside-down and covered in molasses; everything moved so laboriously slow. Nothing worked right. Nothing made any sense. And there were days that my brain actually hurt from the frustration and fatigue.
But as I've told people, this is the kind of travel that turns me on. It's like casting myself in a real-life video game. I honestly crave this type of challenge.
Everything I had hoped for in this tour has been realized. I've seen two Modern Wonders of the World. I've seen trees covered in lizards, monkeys, a rare sighting of a sloth and new plants that have boggled the science center of my mind. I have crossed over the Equator (a dream I have had since childhood), walked in the footsteps of the powerful kings and queens of the Inca Empire, and lived the lush and luxurious life in the city of civilization's greatest parties: Carnival! I have laughed and cried, battled and chilled, learned and unlearned and connected again with globalism, multi-culturalism and humanity. I have lived it, thrived in it and survived.
For all of you who have walked this winding, often-tumultuous, exhilarating 28,000 mile path with me, on this last day of my blog, I say "gracias", "obrigado", thank you. I say "adios", "adeus", good-bye!
I send each of you my love. Juanito
What a wonderful trip and thank you so much for sharing this with me. You literary ability has made this so real and so humerous I found my self laughing out loud at times and lost in memories. I am hopeful that you will stop in the office after you have rested up from your adventures.
ReplyDeleteKathy- Without question, I will come by! I would love to take you to lunch and share stories. I owe you that much at least for arranging this tour so seamlessly. I will be in touch soon, thank you! You've been wonderful, patient and invaluable. JM
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to interject photos and details into your blog so that those of us looking over your shoulder (hopefully without taking up too much of your seat) have had our own emotions tapped into while sharing a bit of yours. It has really been fun reading along with your journey. Now two things remain for my journey with your blog to be complete: I must see lots of pictures! and I have to listen to "The Girl from Ipanema." Looking forward to seeing you back in Washington where it has been 80 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night -- all week long! God speed on your trip home -- which will hopefully not be too eventful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful concept -- when you said that you were going to share your journey with us you really meant it - I love all the characters we met along the way with you starring in the lead role. Your dream of experiencing South America came alive and will be forever documented through your blog.
ReplyDeleteI didnt know you liked Stan Getz! One of my favorite tenor sax players next to John Coltrane. Cyu soon dude, Ill be waiting for my present.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteZef
I am very glad that you finished traveling around the South America safely. :-) I recovered fully now from the food poisoning. I am leaving Lima tomorrow. Thank you again for your kindness in Guayaquil!! Good luck for your next trip!!
ReplyDeleteAsuka
Asuka- I'm happy to hear that you are well! Best of luck to you wherever you go next and safe travels to you. I'm glad we met and made friends along the way! I think your story about leaving your job and Japan to go see the world is amazing! Have fun- John
ReplyDeleteHello John. We rode together on the flight from Atlanta to Seattle. Sharing your stories with me made that flight go some much faster thank you. I look forward to reading about the entire trip.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
Sara