Can’t resist…
OK, I wasn’t going to write again tonight, but I must. Really, you’ll understand when I’m done. I am nearly at the end of Another Roadside Attraction. I ended up staying in my room for a little longer than I might since the heavens opened and added more cats and dogs to the streets. Yes, in addition to the dogs, there are cats in the street. Instead of getting wet or having to wear my goretex in Bahia, which I think you can get arrested for, I decided to just read more and much on dried bananas, the best dried fruit known to humankind.
Today…
I ventured out of the hotel earlier today. I told you I would reserve judgment for a couple of days, but I will add something to that…
BTW, it’s easier to type on a Brazilian keyboard after 2 caiparinhas. That’s right. But I’m letting myself get distracted. Back to the story…
Turns out, I made a wrong turn at Albuquerque and missed the “nice” part of town. I found the part of town that you see in movies like Woman On Top with Penélope Cruz. I just know that because she’s beautiful and it was on the TV the other day in the hotel. They always glorify it don’t they? They don’t focus on the public squares or rougher parts of town, do they? It always makes you think that the entire city is like that. They conviniently miss the broken down shanty town just through that alley, or that crack whore on the street.
The first time I went for a walk, by making a wrong turn and missing the tourist areas, I inadvertantly missed the worst part of the humanity. At least in the poorer areas, people are just living their lives. The tourist areas are targeted. But I’m sure you know that. I’m just surprised since it’s been so long since I’ve really been exposed to it out of the US.
After writing my last post, I decided to give it another try and at least find a place to eat before it was dark so it wasn’t so sketch when I went later. I’d say that about 5 women on crack asked me for money. The difference also this time was that I brought a nondescript backpack with my camera. I’d take it out to take a shot and seconds later someone would ask for something. All of a sudden, I was a tourist, and I had a nice camera, I must be a rube.
One girl, she couldn’t have been more than 15 was asking me something and I couldn’t make it out. It only sounded half portuguese. When I realized the word she was saying was massage (maaazaaage), I was still a little confused and she blurted out “fuck you”. Understanding dawned on my face, I cracked a smile and then laughed and she laughed too and we both resigned to laughing about the encounter.
Another encounter was a little more jarring and unexpected. I usually will buy someone food if they ask for money or food. A younger girl approached me for money and then when I refused, she said bread… I said OK and we went into the shop. She wanted me to buy a can of milk then and I figured what the hell, she needs milk, but a guy in the store said she would just turn around and sell it to get money for crack. After a confusing exchange, I said only bread and she stormed out of the store crying. I had already purchased the bread so I took it and walked out of the store, still offered it to her and she refused, so I gave it to another kid who jumped at the opportunity. The guy inside was right. She didn’t want food, just the money for drugs.
Well, that’s all for now. I’d like to make my way back to the hotel to avoid the worst the night has to offer down here. That and it’s hard to deal with the cigarette smoke indoors since the smoking ban in Seattle.
Tomorrow… culture…