The beginning of something good?

Yesterday while at the bank depositing the money I made from dealing drugs (brincadeira), something interesting and cool happened.

I was applying for my credit/debit card at those tables in the office area of the bank when this well dressed, pretty girl came and sat down at the table next to me waiting to get some problem with her card straitened out. When she started talking I heard her accent and immediately had identified it as Brazilian, could have been nothing else.

I was creepin' on her convo with the other teller while mine was filling out forms and stuff for my new card, until her teller left her table for a minute so he could make a deposit or something like that.

I was feeling ballsy so I turned around and said "Voce e Brasileira?"She looked back at me and confusedly reponsed "eu sou...?" I then explained (completely in Portuguese) that I am still learning and have been speaking for about a year now and am completely in love with the language and the Brazilian people. I proclaimed how "fun and friendly" most Brazilians are. In fact, I have not met one who has not fit that description, including this young lady.

I asked what she's doing here, and she explained that she's studying and being an au pair here for a year, then she'll go back to Brasil. She was super nice and loved that I had interest in her country and language. She complimented my Portuguese and proclaimed that I couldn't have been just learning, she told me I was perfect!

So long comes to short, she asked me for my name and  phone number and told me we should get a "cafe" sometime. I told her "eu quero" and now I am just waiting for her to call/look me up on Facebook. I was really stupid and didn't get hers, so now I guess I'm at her mercy. But hey, she asked for my number, I didn't force it on her...so hopefully she calls. I hope the time difference between here and Hawaii (I'm leaving in less than 14 hours) does not mess things up.

Tchau Tchau,
Alex

Supermodel of the week...you're never gonna guess who I saw yesterday...

So I've done Supermodel of the Week postings for a while now. You might remember that a little while ago I did a posting on Ms. Juliana Imai, right?

WELL I SAW HER YESTERDAY! I was in the city yesterday, and there she was standing on the corner of West Broadway and Spring Street a foot away from me! I said, "Oi Juliana", and she replied with a "Tudo bom?" and a few more words were exchanged before she continued down West Broadway and I made my way down Spring. It was kind of surreal. I should have given her my number, damn it!

Anyway, that was really cool! My first meet and greet with a Japanese-Brazilian model! Awesome!

(PS: Gina, this is true and I'm not just saying this because you saw my favorie Ana Beatriz one day in the glasses store, but I am still jealous!)

Two weeks till I get the hell outta here!

THANK GOD!

I'm leaving and going to Hawaii in less than two weeks. This is going to be amazing.

The nice breezes, the millions of Japanese tourists, and the mai tais. Too bad I'm not legal.

But anyway, I've been to Hawaii a handful of times before and freakin' love the place. Its very Jurassic Park meets Japan. We are weird so we'll be in Waikiki for 2 days, then we fly to Kauai for 6 days then jet back to O'ahu for another 7. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

For those of you who are planning on going to Hawaii, make sure to stay at these hotels, these are my favorites..

In Waikiki the best options (were we will stay) are the Moana/Royal Hawaiiian and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. They are very different from each other, but both absolutely fantastic. Moana/Royal Hawaiian are both right on Kalakaua Avenue, the Oscar Friere or Garcia D'avila of Honolulu (and consequently right on the beach.) They have great access to everything. The Hawaiian village, while not far from anything, is a little more removed but still within walking distance to Kalakaua. That being said, they have everything you need inside the resort including luxury retailers, awesome Japanese restaurants, and POOLS galore.

In Kauai, stay @ The Saint Regis Princeville. That's our choice. It's a stunning location looking out onto the famous "Bali Hi" view, complete with over 100 cascading waterfalls that flow down the steep cliffs. It is just spectacular, no words to describe it. Google it, It's wonderful.

In Maui (were not going this time...boohoo...but it's actually my least favorite island), stay at the Four Seasons. It's to die for.

On the big island, there is nowhere better than the Hilton Waikaloa Village. It's gigantic, has a man made canal system with boats that transport you from section to section of the resort. If you feel like getting air conditioning while traveling to your room, no problem, they have a electric tram system that takes you there too. They have over 1,000,000 restaurants and bars to chose from, plus POOLS POOLS POOLS and BEACHES BEACHES BEACHES. Just watch out for the sea snakes, which pack a lethal punch (saw a couple in the lagoon and almost stepped on one...that would have ended badly.)

Only drawback with Hawaii is the ridiculous flying time. I mean, Brasil is closer to my house than Hawaii! It will be a long 12 hour flight for sure!

Going to Hawaii only makes me more excited to see Brasil, because the natural beauty that Hawaii has drew me in. I know Brasil has the same natural beauty, but Brasil has the people that melt your heart like Paula Dean melts 45 sticks of butter in her mashed potatoes, while in Hawaii people are largely the same as here.

Brasileiros are the best! Love all of you!

I will update later,

Beijos,
Alex