Living in Salvador

Sorry guys. I never wrote in my blog, because I was too frustrated to explain my situation again and again. It was just some insanity and I was never in the mood to write.

I think it may have been the same day that I last wrote in here, or a day later. I went to take money out of the same bank machine that I always use. It didn´t work. It told me that I had an invalid card. Shit... So I used my back up card, one that I carry, but I wasn´t 100% sure of the PIN. I tried anyways. Same message. So, I panicked. I talked to Lobo, who took me to another place to try my card. Again, the same message. I went back to Mandinga and called Vancity. They said that my card had been comprimised. I guess it makes sense. I used it every week at the same machine with the same amount: R$500. I didn´t have much of a choice, though, since Vancity doesn´t let me take more than that out, and it only lasts me a week. I asked her why my other card didn´t work. "Oh, it´s because Vancity is going through some changes, Plus to Cirrus, and many clients outside Canada are having the same problem. You need a new bank card, but we can´t send one to Brazil."

So, I didn´t even have 5 centavos. I was broke. Nothing. So, they sent that card to my old address, where Lynn would receive it and send it to me in Brazil. There was no way I was going to go to Recife without money, without knowing anyone except Carolina (whom I´ve never actually met). So, I talked to Lobo about how I couldn´t afford to stay at Mandinga. He told me that his aunt´s house has some suites that are ready and I could move in R$250 per month (around $150). So, I took my backpack and walked down the hill to his house. They were still not ready to receive me, so I was going to stay at Lobo´s until I could move in.

I tried to get a cash advance through my credit card, the bank said it wasn´t possible, so I called for Emergency cash through Visa. I called them probably 10 times throughout the 2 days and I got so frustrated that I nearly cried in the middle of the bank. I never realized how tiring it is to complain, to demand things in another language. Anyways, so the people at Visa told me that the money was ready at the bank, so I spent three hours waiting for them to get the money. Finally I got so frustrated that I told them, I need my money now!!! But it wasn´t there. I was nearly in tears, having spent so much time and being so stressed, a woman tried to resolve things for me. I called Visa again and they told me that the money was NOT ready and that it wouldn´t be until the next day. The woman working at the bank told me that she would arrange a cash advance through my credit card. I guess they can do anything for you if you make enough of a fuss. Not possible, assholes.

So, I paid for Mandinga, my rent and for my new bed. I bought a stove and oven with my credit card. I ran out of money faster than I would´ve liked. My sister received the card and put it in the mail, Purolator. It should´ve arrived within three business days. It didn´t. I tracked it. The last time it was scanned was Monday, it was already Friday. I called on the following Monday. "They will attempt delivery today". Hooray!! We went to the island of Itapirica, with the little bit of money that I got paid. We spent the day at the beach, drank a little, ran out of money, had to call Lobo´s brother to bring us more money, came back to Salvador using the last little bit of money. We came back, the card was still not there. I called Purolator again. "It´s still in São Paulo, they have a problem with the address". So, the other girl lied to me? Was she confused? Stupid? Trying to fuck with me? So, again, no money. Nothing. My tourist visa was to expire on Saturday. So, on Wednesday, I borrow money from Lobo and I take the bus to the airport to extend my visa. They tell me that I need to pay for my visa, understandable, but they don´t accept credit cards. R$67. I have enough to take the bus back to Lobo´s. In addition to this money, they want a ticket returning to Canada. My return ticket was on Monday, the day I left for the island of Itapirica. So, that´s it, I thought. I´m going to be illegal in Brazil with no money. Fucking brilliant. I called my Mom. She said she´d send me money through Western Union. Friday morning (the last day to get my visa) I went to Banco do Brasil to pick up my money. Easy enough, but I was terrified watching them stare my passport and visa down. They told me, "You only have two more days on your visa!!!" I thought, oh shit. If I do become illegal without money and mom needs to send me money, what would happen? The bank would have be deported? Shit... I email Becky, at the travel agency, she sent me an itinerary Salvador to Vancouver. Thank god. Last minute, I had everything. I went to the airport and got my visa. Happy Birthday to me.

The next day, my 23rd birthday. I was relaxed. Nothing was going to bother me. We went to the beach, we drank lots of beer, I swam in the beautiful Bahian waters, played beach volleyball, and watched the sun set. It was amazing. Simple and amazing. It had always been my dream to go to the beach on my birthday. I always envied my friends with birthdays in the summer. The day I learned that seasons are opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, I told myself that I would go there and go to the beach on my birthday. Now, I have done that. After the beach, we went back to Lobo´s where we ate cake and sang happy birthday, which lasts 10 times longer here. On Sunday, it was Lobo´s grandpa´s birthday party (he shares a birthday with me!). We danced and drank all day. It was fantastic. Lobo´s family is huge! There is a birthday party every week. Next week we are going into the interior to celebrate the birthday of his godfather´s mother. I guess it´s my family now. It already feels that way.

Today I went out and bought bed sheets. And tonight will be the first night that I spend in my house, after one month at Lobo´s. I still don´t have much, but I think I will just use my visa to fill my house until I finally receive my card. Rent is due again, though. So, I will try again to get a cash advance on my credit card. I hope it works. Worse comes to worst, Lynn and Sarah can bring my new bank card to Brazil when they come to visit in January. I am so unbelievably excited for them to come. Three weeks of awesome! Because I shouldn´t be working, holidays... WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!! Although I will be extremely hungover picking them up at the airport at 7:30am on January 1st. But it´s a million times worth it to see my sisters in Brazil.

Another dream come true :)