I sense spring summer in the air as I landed at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Lush green palms with spring flowers was a stark contrast for my sight and senses as just a couple of days back I was capturing beautiful Fall 2014 at Caledon and Niagara Falls in Canada.
I was told that Brazilians are very affectionate people. The first sign of affection was - mosquito bites while I was trying to connect my laptop with Wi-Fi at the GRU airport, Sao Paulo. Literally, as if the mosquitoes there were waiting to receive me with all their love and affection.
Though, to my dismay I was unable to connect my laptop with the Wi-Fi at GRU airport. Thus, no communication with my family, friends and college administration that I have landed safely!!
Expecting English language friendly people at airport - your chances are 1 out of 10 people you ask would be able to guide you to the right source of information - timely. Yes!! Timely as asking for directions out of the airport to get to the right and only ONCE a day bus to my destination and translation time - I missed the bus by just TWO minutes.
Then, another option - Two connections - TWO Bus tickets. Well I the adventure started just as I landed in Sao Paulo, Brazil.The above bus tickets were later reissued to another two different boarding time …way after two hours of waiting. As the first bus I was suppose to board met with an accident, just before picking-us all. So eventually I missed the connecting bus from another city. Think of me in a country where people are not English language friendly - AT ALL!! Though I expected to find signs and posts in English as Brazil being one of the BRIC nations! Nope….this is no where closer to what I expected.
Then I suggested Shawn (another GBC fellow student who later followed me - a week later to the same destination - not to be penny wise time foolish and better hire a taxi).
Still, keeping the crashing optimist in me alive I tried to make most of my journey to Senac University at Campos de Jordao. Though missed the beautiful landscapes as most of the journey was in pitch dark.
The respite - internet connectivity on the bus. Yes!! the buses are better than the international airport. Thus, was able to communicate with the college administration both at Senac and at GBC about the series of adventures I have been through and my whereabouts.
In brief, not so good practical instructions from the sources at Senac, I reached Senac - Campos de Jordao 10 hours YES TEN hours later than expected. This was time equal to my flight from Toronto, Canada to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Later, to be warmly welcomed by a group of employees at Senac University - with smiles.
But I wonder - Do smiles have ever fed anyone??
As I slept almost empty stomach (munched on cashew-nuts and almonds that I carried from Canada and a small tetra pack of juice and a tiny chocolate bar provided by Senac at my room) as I reached the campus an hour after they close the cafeteria for students.
Irony!! I came here to train as chef at the kitchens of Grande Hotel where I see on daily basis how much food is wasted… but I slept on empty stomach - tired, exhausted and frustrated due to language barrier.
I guess, enough for adventures Day#1 in Brazil
The only respite to the whole day of adventure was a comfortable apartment for my stay in Brazil.
A hot shower, a comfortable bed and a short and sweet prayer to end an adventurous first day in Brazil.
Deepti Batra - Culinary Arts Management 2014 -2015
George Brown College, Toronto, Canada
