I had a great day today! Lima is full of the friendliest people. It turns out there is a post office right next door to the Hostel El Patio. I was a tad concerned at first that I wouldn't be able to post a package as its one of those shops that sells all sorts of things but also happens to be a post office. The lovely old guy working there put my mind at ease though, and between my broken Spanish and his broken English I managed to get a box and send it home... I...

Amusing anecdote about Rio airport. The announcer guy sounds like he's reading one of those late night 0055 Call Me adds. It's hilarious! He's so softly spoken it's hard to understand him but I love it anyway :). Helps pass the time. Btw The domestic departures are of Rio International is not exactly a hub of activity. One bookshop, no food stores, no wifi. I'm hoping Sao Paolo international is better as I have 4 hours there between flights. At least it should h...

Welcome to crazy town! I've come back to the hotel for a bit of a break as the streets are totally bonkers outside. There is a bloca (street party) going on all around the hotel. From about 9 this morning thousands of people began arriving. I went for a walk earlier, and it was nuts. People dancing and singing (some just dancing to the music playing in their heads), street vendors selling food, drinks and weird and wonderful things to wear, people in crazy costum...

Last night was another late dinner. I really can't get used to not eating until midnight. Food was good at least - I had a chicken breast in mango chutney with puréed potato and carrot (I think). Most of the other group and a couple of ours headed out to a club after dinner but having had a maximum of 3 hours sleep in any one stint over the last few days and knowing we had a 6am start this morning I headed back. (still only got 2 + 1 hours sleep - I think my bod...

Arrived in Curitiba (pronounced KooriCHEEba) around 5.30 this morning after a ride on the night bus that was interesting to say the least. I think the driver was trying to win some sort of time record - bus was almost on 2 wheels around the bends and watching him pull out to overtake on blind rises and bends was a tad scary. Not many people slept. Luckily we were able to check into the hotel early and get a couple of hours sleep. At 10 we met up again and did a...