Ilhabela - Capital da Vela

Last weekend I traveled I traveled to the foreign and not so distant island of Ilhabela for a jazz festival. 

And as you probably imagined, it was magnificent. 

It all began with me and my lovely travel companions leaving a few hours later than planned to arrive Thursday night with enough time to get ready and go to "Ilhabela in Jazz."  

And ohmygoodness there was so. much. Jazz. Which I should of expected, but wasn't emotionally prepared for: I listened to more jazz in one night then I had previously in the history of me. 

On the last night, just when I thought we had heard all the jazz there was, (fast, slow, instrumental,  a glittery lady signing) a friendly old man come on the stage and starts playing with squeaker-toys. 

So the jazz was pretty intense in and of itself, 

But the biggest "culture shock" for me was Rolê which I defined in my phone as "get no sleep." 

It really means something like "hanging out time." but the thing is Brazilians participate in this very, very late. Since the jazz festival didn't end until 1 am, the rolê lasted until 4 am and I was exhausted. 

So in an effort to get us back to the house I pronounced gently, " Vamos." but with no avail. Over the course of the night I learned  Brazilians have many words for "let's Go. " ( Vamos , Partiu, Vamo nessa...) for the same reason eskimos have so many words for snow: you need them. .

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I've mentioned before that Brazilians aren't punctual people, and as they drag their feet if they only had one word for "let's go" you'd turn into a mocking bird. I was thankful there were a few. 

  

But I was pleased that everyone still woke up before noon for a breakfast of cheese bread and the first day and we were able to enjoy the perfect beach weather! 

The biggest factual difference between Brazilian Beaches and American ones is in Brazil you don't need to plan your trip at all. When you arrive there will be chairs you can rent or sit in if you buy a beer. Everything from swimsuits, jewelry, to towels are for sale right on the water, and there are people walking around selling delicious treats and water all day. It's noisier, but certainly more convenient.    

Dogs were running freely on the beach and requesting my attention. 

The biggest opinion based difference is that Brazilian Beaches are far more beautiful. 

Walking around the town I discovered an English school decorated for Halloween. I keep forgetting that it's that time of year because it looks and feels like summer, and it's not nearly as big a deal here. 

Pictured above are two sand cars, I really hope I get the opportunity to ride in these funny vehicles someday - I've never seen anything as cute as them in the States.

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Not only do you not need need to pack anything for the beach. did I mention you don't need to pack anything for the road trip either? At every stoplight and traffic jam there's people selling food and drinks, and this is true for all of São Paulo from what I've seen.  My personal favorite car snack is Açaí, a super food with nutrition and sugary heaven. 

It took about five hours to get home because of the traffic, but when it was completely stopped people started dancing in the streets and I remembered one of the reasons I love this beautful country : 

No one's in a rush to leave, and it's never boring. 

Obrigada por ter me Ilhabela <3