Mato Grosso Do Sul: Another epic vacation

Goodness,
I go long in-between these entries...
Well, I have reason..
I've been traveling Brazil with my host mom. (Not the whole country...but a good portion of it).
I went to Mato Grosso Do Sul 2 weeks ago, and got back to Montes Claros last Tuesday. It was an interesting trip. Really showed me the diversity in Brazil.
The region that I'm living in now is considered the central north-east, known for being dry, poor, and slightly dull (all though I dont think so). The south, where Mato Grosso Do Sul is (more south center, but it's the same...), is known for its richness and abundance of water and forest (hence the name of the state: mato grosso, thick forest).
I remember arriving in Campo Grande, the capital city and the place I spent most of my time, and seeing the streets, big and clean, the shopping mall, full of big $$, the ton of restaurants (including McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Subway), and the lack of beggars...poverty has become something I've become accustomed to, and I could really feel it with the awe I'd felt seeing this wealthy other side of Brazil.
Along with the difference of wealth, there was the huge difference in climate. In Mato Grosso Do Sul, it is the tropical climate Brazil is known for. In this state, there is the Pantanal, which is a tropical forest about equal to the Amazon, only a little smaller and less famous. I wasn't fortunate enough to explore any 'mato grosso' but I did make it to a city near the Pantanal called Bonito.
I went into a cavern that has a lake at the bottom the color of that New Mexico sky. The bluest water I've ever seen. What surprised me about this excursion, was that it was extremely unprotected. I've been in the Carlsbad caverns for example, and there were railings the whole way..well lighted. There was none of that in this cavern, just a silly helmet to protect you if you slipped on the dew covered, worn rocks. Funny the difference in concern..
After the blue lake cavern, we went out to lunch. An all you can eat Brazilian classic. Lots of meat, rice and beans, and of course, some sweets of coconut and mango. After lunch we explored the city, doing what every good tourist does, buying trinkets and taking photos. And then, were off to cool off in one of the many rivers running through the city.
One of the big things in Bonito are these fish that are in the rivers. They literally have no fear, and will swim right up to you, even brush up against you. The water is crystal clear and clean, so it's great to watch them.
We spent just one day in Bonito, after, going back to Campo Grande. In Campo Grande, I pretty much just lived the life of my host uncle, aunt, and cousin. Going to the shopping mall, hanging out by the pool, picking mangos from the trees (which still amazes this little New Mexican), doing arts, and of course eating (its what I do).
The trip was really great for me. I got to see that other side of Brazil, and all though the bus ride was 28 hours, yes that's right, 28 hours, it was worth every minute to know just a little more about what this amazing country has to offer.

And guess what? Tomorrow I'm off on another Vacation!
Please, let this life never end.

Tomorrow, 4am, I'm heading out on a trip to that same beach I went to in October. My first host family was generous enough to offer to take me back to Porto Seguro, and I'm extremely excited.
Here, January is the time for the beach. Everyone (almost everybody, because the country can't completely shut down), are on their month long vacations starting today. And that's right, even adults get a month off from work each year in amazing Brazil. So the beach is crowded with tons of people and felicity. Lots of parties and good food, coconuts and ocean and sun.
Can't wait to get there.

More to come!
photos of Mato Grosso Do Sul: http://picasaweb.google.com/sommerbrazil/MatoGrossoDoSul

Beijos!