"Oi!" not like “hi”, but like “oi, it’s 12:50 am and we need to catch the 1 am ferry”.
From "Oi" to "Aha": Katya's tales of Brazil told through a Choose Your Own Adventure
Just a typical weekend in Brazil
I am back from Brazil, where what started as a work trip quickly spiraled into an unforgettable adventure. Heeding all those well-meaning “stay safe” wishes, I'm happy to report I've returned in one (now significantly tanner) piece.
Well, almost.
A little bit of blood was sacrificed to the local Brazilian mosquito population, and a few thousand dollars' worth of technology was sacrificed to the local Brazilian human population. I’m just very generous. More on that later.
This trip to Brazil was a whole new ballgame for me. I travel multiple times per year, and sometimes alone. I love traveling and I love how I travel. I'm usually the type of traveler who plans every day, with color-coded shared Google spreadsheets and pre-booked everything.
Yet, this adventure in Brazil turned my usual approach on its head. Invited to a mini work retreat just a month in advance, I found myself in the passenger seat rather than the driver's. Landing in Brazil as a guest, not the planner, I soon embraced an entirely new travel mantra: “going with the flow” was no longer just an option — it became the very core of my experience.
Taking this leap into the unknown led me on a journey brimming with chaos, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime.
To illustrate this, I'll begin with a conversation I had with the Director of Engineering at my company.
On the second day of my trip, I exclaimed, "Wow! This is the most adventure I've had in a while."
He replied, "Really? This is just a typical weekend in Brazil."
Choose your own adventure ⁉️
Throughout the trip, I couldn't help but feel like I was living out my own “Choose Your Own Adventure” story.
The engineers would make plans spontaneously, and it was my decision whether or not to join them.
In my mind, each decision to join a plan carried significant weight.
Option 1 saying yes, appeared to transform me into a cool and daring adventurer, the type of traveler admired by everyone.
On the other hand, Option 2 saying no, seemed to brand me as a “hopeless scaredy-cat,” grouping me with those who may as well stay home.
I'd often find myself pondering, “What would my friends do?”.
I couldn’t ask then, but I will ask now!
I invite you to join me in playing “Choose Your Own Brazilian Adventure,” where you can embark on a journey to explore and discover the kind of traveler you truly are:
note - If you’re reading on the email, I recommend reading this post on the website or app so you can play the game.
If you’re not subscribed, you’ll need to be subscribed to play.
The Adventure Begins: Brazil or no Brazil? 🇧🇷
During a regular work from home day, you receive an unexpected invitation to a mysterious Zoom call. Curious, you join the call only to find that it is some of the engineers of your company inviting you to visit them in Brazil, where they live. It is worth noting that all the engineers are men, most you haven’t met in person, and they are inviting you, a young woman, to stay at an Airbnb in Brazil. They assure you of safety and delicious food, specifically sushi, your favorite food.
The President of your company is encouraging you to go on the trip and meet your coworkers, with the assurance that the trip expenses will be covered.
[If Option 2 is chosen]
Later in the month, you will have a regular work week, where you will have access to all the necessary technology for your work. In addition to work, you also go to the gym, cook all your meals, and make sure to publish your Substack on Memories and Privacy on time. Exciting stuff!
[If Option 1 is chosen]
You buy plane tickets. You panic research Dengue.
Trick question. You know I did both!
To Brazilian beach or Not to Brazilian beach? 🌴
After a ten-hour flight, you arrive in São Paulo, Brazil. Your coworkers pick you up from the airport and drive you to a luxurious mall for shopping and lunch. Afterward, they take you to the Airbnb they booked for the entire trip. However, to their surprise, the Airbnb is not what they expected. Half an hour later, they ask if you want to pack up again to go an Airbnb on a beach instead.
You gather all your belongings and begin packing up the car. As you pack, you ask a few questions like, "How far away is the beach?" Your coworkers inform you that it's only a 3-hour drive and requires taking one ferry. Curious about the ferry schedule, you inquire, "When does the last ferry depart?" They assure you, "Don't worry, we'll catch the 1 am ferry." Since it's already 8 pm and you know you'll need to stop for dinner on the way, you wonder what to say.
It's 1 am and you are driving onto the ferry. You take a photo to capture the incredibly fortunate timing. On the ferry, you step out of the car and enjoy the beautiful views of hills, forest, and palm trees. You even notice shooting stars! Staring at the shooting stars, what magical wish do you make?
Whoops. Hindsight is 20/20.
To work or not to work? 👩🏽💻
You wake up in a beautiful Airbnb on a tropical archipelago, Ilhabela. It took an hour to find the Airbnb after the ferry ride because the address provided was deceptive, and the group had to rely on photographic evidence. Despite going to sleep late after a long travel day, you wake up feeling well-rested and filled with excitement. Your coworkers are already awake and serving you a delightful breakfast of fresh bread, jams, fruits, and refreshing fruit drinks.
It is Friday, and your coworkers are opening their computers on the kitchen table to work. You go to open your own computer, except, you don't have it. In fact, you don't have any of your Apple technology in your backpack except for your phone. You had them at the airport. You had them on the plane. You had them at the mall. You woke up at Ilhabela, on day 2 of your work retreat, and your work computer is already gone.
More specifically:
Option 1: You get a little drink and do a little work by staring at your coworker’s computers and joining meetings, and telling yourself little lies about how maybe the computer will show up somewhere.
Option 2: You get a little drink and throw a little fit about how this little trip was a BIG mistake and now you can’t work and might get hacked, which is quite ironic considering this is a work retreat with engineers!
To (b)Itch or Not to (b)Itch? 👿
Ilhabela is considered one of the most green and beautiful islands in the world. The locals prefer it over Rio, and it's easy to see why. The island offers a peaceful and colorful environment, with palm trees, clean sand, and clear water that leave you in awe. Nobody speaks English and it feels very safe. However, there is one itchy issue - the Borrachudos. Alongside mosquitos which might carry diseases, Ilhabela is also infested with small black flies that can leave itchy marks that last for weeks. Mosquito spray does not work on them. The spray does not work for any insects when you’re under water and the spray is washed away. You came to the beach to swim. What do you do?
Who cares about a little itch that might last a few weeks and leave scars 🫠?
Your coworkers ask if you like shrimp, and you reply, "Yes." After swimming, you are handed a Pastel with fresh shrimp inside. You are hungry and it looks delicious. However, you notice that there are no nearby restaurants where the shrimp might have been stored and cooked. This raises a concern, especially considering the hot weather. You ask if it's safe to eat, and your coworkers assure you that they would have noticed from the seller's expression if it wasn't safe to eat. What do you do?
To eat one coconut ice-cream or to eat two coconut ice-creams? 🍦🍦
During your time on Ilhabela and upon returning to São Paulo, your companions will take you to the most delicious food spots in Brazil. You will indulge in various types of Caipirinhas and sample every exotic dish on the menu. You will have different variations of tapioca, savor plenty of hearts of palm, try picanha, and enjoy feijoada. You will get to experience both street food and Michelin star cuisine. The fellowship remains lively and vibrant whether they are on a beach or at a Michelin star restaurant. Every single meal, they order dessert. What about you?
Option 1 vs Option 2
Thanks for playing!
I can go on and on because now, imagine making such decisions multiple times a day for 9 days.
What would you do? What did you land on?
Tips on how to stay safe in Brazil
For the first time since pandemic, I was an adventurous traveler. I was willing to take risks, except for attending a soccer game where the boys suggested I hide my passport in a place where people wouldn't want to touch (a privilege reserved for men).
But consistent with my personality, before I said yes, I did a lot of Googling and my most common question all trip was “Is this safe?” By the end of the trip, I learned a lot about safety there.
Here are a few tips:
Do not walk alone if you’re a woman. Take an uber. You will notice very few women walking alone.
The best way to go is with a tour guide that is local or with let’s say a group of local engineers that have to report to your manager if you’re murdered.
Have your valuables always on your body. The most important item is your passport and you need to protect it carefully. Get one of those travel pouches that go under your clothes.
If you need to have a backpack with your computer, carry it everywhere and hold it in front of you. Do not even leave technology or anything valuable in the car trunk or at your Airbnbs.
Book Hotels and not Airbnbs.
If the Uber driver is telling you to keep the windows closed because it is unsafe, keep the windows closed because it is unsafe.
If someone approaches you, make eye contact, smile, and give them what they ask for. While in New York, it's often best to ignore people entirely; this approach doesn't work in Brazil. In Brazil, it's customary to give them a few Reals to avoid any potential escalation.
Carry a few Reals (Brazilian currency) to give away if needed.
It is recommended to get travel insurance. However, it is important to be aware that going to the police in Brazil can be more dangerous compared to going to the police in the United States or Europe.
Ask the pharmacy for the best mosquito sprays and anti-itch creams. Be prepared with both. Wear long white clothing. Protect your body. Mosquitos are definitely a problem.
Based on feedback from the locals and tourists on the plane ride back, think twice before visiting Rio.
Every place you travel to has different rules for ensuring safety. I want to emphasize that Brazil did not feel any more dangerous to me than my regular walks at night from the gym. What may work in NYC may not necessarily work in Brazil. It is important to familiarize yourself with the local culture and safety guidelines.
Other learnings from Brazil:
Ilhabela is a safer and calmer beach vacation destination compared to anywhere in Rio.
On my plane ride back, most tourists talked about things being stolen. While it is quite common to be mugged, it is not common to get physically hurt.
The food in Brazil is delicious and less likely to cause stomach aches compared to NYC food.
If you go to Brazil with a Brazilian who loves to cook, you'll end up spending every single day at a grocery store. Grocery stores in Brazil offer very different food compared to elsewhere, and it is all very exciting.
Hearts of palm, locally known as 'palmito' in Brazil, are notably more flavorful and tender compared to those found at American stores like Trader Joe's. These delicacies are harvested from the inner core of various palm species, including the açaí palm and peach palm, offering a unique taste highly prized in Brazilian cuisine.
Traffic will be everywhere, so it's best to just join in the car karaoke.
You will definitely get bitten, but the bug bites will most likely go away in a few days, and you're unlikely to get sick from them. Panicking from internet searches is not worth it!
If you have the opportunity to enjoy two coconut ice creams in a day, go for it! Indulge in two coconut ice creams. Afterwards, you can always substitute bread with tapioca in your sandwiches. It's a delicious and lighter alternative.
Brazilians are a wonderfully diverse and warm-hearted people who deeply value their communities, the environment, and their land. There are valuable lessons that Americans living in the United States can learn from their strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.
In Brazil, “Oi!” means “Hi”, not like in NYC where “Oi” means “Everything is a mess!”. If you say “Oi!” in Brazil, you’ll be Oing even longer than in an Eastern European Jewish household.
If you have any questions or would like recommendations, please let me know!
The Joy of Chaos
Now that I'm settled back home, I'm really glad I chose to be an Option 1 girl and fly to Brazil.
Yes, the trip was chaotic, even more chaotic than this article might indicate, and losing all my technology was terrible. But I'm grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet my hilarious and kind coworkers and experience life as a local in Brazil.
I can't lie - following my normal routine feels even more nice right now too!
When it comes to the adrenaline rush from traveling, I can't say I miss it during my everyday routine at home, because I’ve never really felt it. While others talk about getting an adrenaline rush from their adventures, I struggle to relate. I've always felt like there was something missing in that aspect of my brain. I tend to feel fear quickly but am slow to feel excitement. As a result, I find myself protecting myself from adventure.
Don’t get me wrong! I feel joy. It’s just a different kind of joy.
When you plan out every day, like I do, joy can be anticipated and dependable. And there is certain beauty in that.
When your day is one big adventure, joy surprises you like a shooting star. And there is definitely beauty in that too.
I now believe it is important to have a balance of both joys.
The biggest lesson I learned from this adventure is that amidst chaos, I can still find immense joy. While it may not come from adrenaline rushes, I experience the positive emotions of fulfillment and contentment.
Entering 2024, I feel more prepared to embrace the joy that chaos brings.