#1 Flying forever and first impressions about Belo Horizonte

On Tuesday,19th of July, my big adventure finally started. I was planning that for more than 8 months, but until last day, I was not nervous and almost everything I felt was excitement. Then last night sleeping at home suddenly I could not sleep, I fell strange from inside. Very special thank to one of my friends, who is always trying to keep my head on the right track, so I prepare my head for this adventure. When the last day at home finished, all goodbyes were said, my father and my brother drove me to Budapest airport.

From Moškanjci via Budapest airport via London Heathrow and via Miami International to Belo Horizonte it took me more than 36 hours, more than 20 hours in air. During that time I went through one of my fever episodes - I was too afraid to tell my mom that, she would be too worried - so somehow with help of phone and few friendson the other side I managed to come here safely and well. But when I arrive here, another shock - no baggage - hope it comes soon (still waiting), I have some things in there that I am emotionally attached.

Budapest - London - Miami - Belo Horizonte

Airport here in Belo Horizonte on first sight does not look big, but when do you have to take the bus from terminal 3 to terminal 1, it is really big. Nonetheless, this is 3rd biggest city in Brazil and has more citizens than whole Slovenia. Then I had to take the bus from Airport to citycentre and despite I was crazy tired it was really interesting to watch city - some new culture. For me it was shock, to see a lot of people sleeping on the streets and in the middle of the parks, a lot of dirt lying all around, big holes on the roads... All this is something new to me, also language - although people are veeery nice, rarely who speaks English. But I think the basics of language I will know in few days. 

Mercado Central - there you can find everything

Today, I visited Mercado Central - no.2 on TripAdvisor list for BH - and it was amazing to see what they have there inside - from cats, dogs, chickens, big turkeys to all the food, clothes, even I counted 7 or 8 protein shops to restaurants - so I had first Brazilian lunch - it was said to me, Minas food (Minas Gerais is the region here) is really tasty and I tried FEIJAO TROPEIRO - mixed beans, pork, some vegetables and rice and it was really good and cheap.

Feijao tropeiro - tasty brazilian dish

I hope my baggage comes soon, so I can start enjoying this country even more, first impression is positive and I am sure it will be only better - there is only 15 days till Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro. Can't wait.

Blending in with Brazilian colours! 

Best Regards from Belo Horizonte, 

Simon Ranfl

   

10 doubts before first big trip on your own

As I mentioned in previous blog, I am going to Brazil and to USA and this will be my first big trip, where I organize everything by myself - from airplane tickets to accomodation, food, internal transfers and visiting tourist attractions. It is very different type of travelling than when you are travelling with agencies - there you have nothing to worry about because agency is taking care of everything and you just have to come to meeting point and enjoy the trip.

On the other hand - travelling around the world on your own especially for the first time brings some doubts and fear before start. So here I will talk about my doubts and I believe many of you have the same...
I have to tell, I will be travelling alone.

1. SAFETY -  If you are going to an unknown country, you for sure have some safety concerns. The main goal is to travel safe and healthy, then you can enjoy every other aspect of trip. I googled a lot of things, but until I will be there and see it for myself I cannot be sure. But I am positive, that everything will be perfect. BE POSITIVE!
2. LANGUAGE DIFFERENCIES - I come from Slavic country, so by all means we should be good in foreign languages and I believe we are, but mostly to Slavic country languages or English and German, but for sure not so much to those Latin languages like Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese. They are to proud of their language, so they do not want to learn another language, but from my latest experience they are getting better and better especially young people, so if you do not speak the language of the country where you are going then TRY TO SPEAK ENGLISH TO YOUNG PEOPLE - there are great odds, that they will talk to you back. 
3. PROBLEMS ON AIRPORT - A lot of things can happen, but you have to trust airport employees... otherwise is better not to go anywhere! 
4. WHAT TO PACK - Pack everything basic what you need, you can buy something there, unless you are going to wilderness. You can use same things for more purposes. Everywhere they have washing machines and it is not expensive. DO NOT LET YOUR LUGGAGE TO BE ON YOUR WAY TO TOTALLY ENJOY THE TRIP.
5. ACTIVITIES - It looks nice in books and on internet, but will I enjoy it? YOU HAVE TO TRY, otherwise you do not know how is it. 
6. MONEY - Here I want to point out - Is it better to take cash or credit card? If you are not travelling to some 3rd world countries. I think the best is both - so SOME MONEY AND BACKUP ON CARD - sure there will be ATMs because with full wallet you attract to many people.
7. LOCAL PEOPLE - I suppose they are used to tourists, but will they be nice to me? I hope so, ife we catch each other on language, I am the winner.
8. COMMUNICATION WITH HOME - For the first time it is always nervous, because if you are in early twenties, parents still care for you very much. So you have to give them insurance you are okey and they can relax a little. I know, if I AM HAPPY, THEY ARE HAPPY! 
9. HOW TO AVOID BOREDOM - Meet now people, find new friends, read a book, write a blog, enjoy yourself, listen to music... DO NOT LET BOREDOM TO CATCH YOU at any moment.
10. WILL EVERYTHING BE AS I PLANNED - This is the last thing, you plan something but for some reason you cannot do it - that is why you are travelling on your own - to BE FLEXIBLE.

I know, this will be great experience, so I hope I will deny everything I wrote here, just know that, no one is relaxed before project like that.

If you have anything to add or any suggestion how to get rid some of these doubts, feel free to comment and share with us!

Enjoy,
Simon Ranfl