crazy gringo...

It's the common joke around here that I'm the crazy gringo. I've always been a little crazy in my own ways, most people are. Normal is just boring. Right? Right. But today I may have taken it to a whole new level. A different one, but a new one. Another kind of crazy. Simply put, I allowed two photographers to throw paint, wrap me in color tubing, and douse me with water to their hearts content while they captured it all for the world to see on Flickr.

Although I had to act a little crazy to get into the part, I think it was more crazy letting them have any which way with me. At one point I felt posed like the newcomer in the jail shower. Another time I was chest down in sewer looking dirty rainbow water. The whole time I was wearing only a pair of gym shorts. Crazier (it would have been for me) to dawn a speedo as is customary in Brasil, but fortunately I do not own one. (Not yet, so I'm told.) I was asked to strip out of my gym shorts for one op, but reminded them of this fact and that I wasn't signing up to do pornography. (Not yet, so I said.) It might has well have been and I'm surprised I required no beer to go along.

But maybe that's why I was deemed worthy for the shoot, I was crazy enough to go along with it. Photographer one told number two, before the day even began, the levels of my so called insanity. She showed up just to find out for herself and I think she was quite content with the negatives. Negatives has multiple meanings I suppose and others see such things as positives. I like that. And I don't mind being considered a little crazy, it makes me happy. Embarased or not, I had a marvalous afternoon today. Thanks Iafa and Carol!

transitions and ambitions

I cannot think of a title. Maybe by the time this ends. I've been on the road for exactly 6 months now. October 1 until April 1st. Crazy. What to think about that? Europeans I've met along the road travel upwards of 9-12 months before returning, but as far as Americans, it's rare. Since our culture likes to set anniversaries for things, I figured something would happen at this point in time. I assumed it might be some sort of realization, maybe a random change in itinerary, perhaps a friend joining, or an epiphany of small magnitude. I did not however imagine being solo. Ironic it is our trip, this road we were on, has taken a twist of unknown proportions today.

So what's next, then? 5Ws? For me, I'm staying put for awhile. Placing the backpack back in the closet and temporarily settling in to a new, short life here in Rio de Janeiro while I earn and save up the dough to continue on. During my anti-sabbatical, I will be hoping to further document life here in "The Marvelous City". Maybe I'll even catch up on a few blogs, I seem to write more while alone.

My itinerary at large has not changed, but I do suspect time lines will be altered. The general plan will be to head to Colombia, perhaps via Venezuela and following up with Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Eventually landing in Argentina, I'll search for that boat to cross the Atlantic to South America in time for the World Cup 2010. Crossing the African continent, cutting over to Asia, eventually I'll return somewhere? Will it all happen? I cannot see further than 3 days into the future, but setting this goal to see the world I am still sincerely committed to and hope to finish successfully with the continued support of friends and family.

That's about it. Glad we could have this talk, Blogger. Catch ya laters...