After the boat cruise I decided to take a few days to relax and recover before the festivities of christmas. I sat around by the pool when the sun was shining and on the couch when it was raining. The weather has been terrible the last few weeks, it has rained almost every day! I was expecting the weather to be a constant sunshine bath of hotness but the temperature is yet to reach over 32, I am told the heat is coming though...

 

On the 23rd we had dinner at a relatives house, the same house where I dj'd for the pool party with bartenders and lots of bikinis. This night was meant to be a secret santa thing but apparently they forgot to draw the names from a hat, because no presents were exchanged. We returned to this same house the following night for christmas eve. The difference between the two nights were that for christmas eve we sat inside and not by the pool, we ate fish not pasta, and drank champagne instead of vodka. I was releaved that the drinking wasnt nearly as heavy as the previous night but then... We went to another party.

 

We moved closer to the city and joined the party on the 6th floor of the apartment building. There was a 60's theme and we each recieved a pair of flouro novelty glasses and a leather braided wrist band. The dj was playing the usual cheese as well as all the classic cheese of the 60's and probably older cheese too but I hadnt a clue. Around 2am when I thought the party would end so I could finally rest my hungover yet still drunk head, they started playing old country music.

 

Brazilians love their country music, I'm not the biggest fan. It's easy enough to listen to and kind of relaxing at times, but most of my experiences with country music have been ear bleedingly loud and this time was no exception. I decided to dull the pain with another 'lukes special caiprihinia mix' which had Sake' and lots of strawberries. And then I waited, longing for sleep.

 

I awoke with yet another hangover and yet another meal to attend, this time we were off to an uncles house for chrismas lunch. I was pining for a typical home style christmas meal with seafood, lots of salad, pasta and lasgna, the perfect cure for my soggy brain. It feels like such a long time ago that I cant really remember what we ate. Fish? Rice? Beans? I spent the afternoon by the pool plugged into my iPod trying not to think.

 

A few days later we attended a party conveniently located at the apartment block accross the road and in the penthouse suite. I was invited to dj having not even met the host and was not too sure how it would go, it wasnt the biggest party to say the least. The place seemed pretty small for a penthouse and this was obviously an old building because I felt like I had traveled back to the late 70s once I stepped out of the elevator.

 

The crowd were all pretty flash looking and most turned out to be owners of one thing or another. A journalist and a photographer (Ale's brother) were there to report on the night and I made it in the weekly paper yet again! Once the party died I was invited to continue partying at a nearby club.

 

I dont remember how I got there but the club was packed inside and going mental. As usual bottles of vodka and whiskey were scattered amongst the different groups of party people. Our group was to the right of the dj booth in the corner of the club. By this time of the night, roughly 4am, I was well and truly sloshed and it showed in the manner of my dancing. I was tearing up the dancefloor like a clown and having an awesome time when some fella started giving me evils and saying something that sounded bad. Off to the local translator.

 

The guy was getting more and more worked up and there I was, a drunken dancing clown that had watched the latest UFC fight earlier that day. I was ready and waiting but a few friends helped to keep the peace and mentioned that this crazy guy was friends with the bouncers, not a good thing for me. So why the hostility?

 

The guy was angry because he had been trying to flirt with me but I didnt notice him, go figure. Then apparently I said something quite disgusting to him which set him off. Gabi asked him to repeat exactly what I had said and to say it in english because I cant speak Portuguese. Defeated the guy did the typical gay turn thing and walked off. Loser.

 

I awoke completely hungover, again. With new years eve looming I vowed to take it easy the next few days. Which was complimented by a trip to the movies.

 

We went and saw 7 pounds which is translated here to 7 people. The cinema was just like any cinema in Aus but with a typical brazilian touch, the seats fully recline. Like on the bus/coach the seats go so far back that you are all but lying down. This would be a great thing usually, but for some reason we sat in the last row against the back wall. I had some ladies head in my lap the entire movie because I couldnt recline and she opted to fully recline. She got upset and said something unintelligible because I accidently kicked her chair when I tried to move my legs. It was a very uncomfortable movie.

 

Another day another hangover and as usual we were invited to another party, this time at a farm to see some famous singer that was putting on a show just for his friends. We arrived really early so guess what we did to amuse ourselves while waiting for people to turn up? We drank.

 

We sat on the patio looking out toward the acres of farmland while the host told us the story of the owners untimely death from cancer and all that he had achieved in his relatively short life, including building this massive house and the factory that operated here. Producing some kind of snack foods and even alcohol. 

 

The huge dog that lived here really set the mood by lazily passing out at my feet while I observed the surroundings. Behind us was a large open room with a fireplace in the left corner and a long bar/kitchen/bbq on the opposite side. Further down the patio was the toilet which was more like a changeroom. Both girls and guys bathrooms with 2 cubicles and showers in each.

In front of us was a massive pool surrounded by palm trees, artsy sculptures of nothing and with what looked like an old oak tree off to the left. Beyond the pool was a grassed area lined by shrubs and with another taller sculpture at the far end. I could imagine big parties here with a tent set up near this far sculpture having the dj play out toward the pool. hmmm

 

The singer we all awaited never showed and so with a handful of friends gathered around we listened and sang along to Riccardo instead. The singer was playing the following night at a local pub, but having awoke with yet another hangover I decided to pass and had a restless night sleep instead. My body is getting used to being awake till 6am!

 

I awoke feeling half recharged and ready for the last day of the year...