Next stop Vitória

--Update--
The parts didn't arrive in time to leave today. So we head out first thing in the morning.
--Update--

Today, we drive to Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Once again, it's to visit some shop for Billy's work. But, this time, we have to bring some parts to the shop with us, so we can't leave until the parts show up at the mill here. As of right now, they haven't showed up yet, so it will be late by the time we get to Vitória. Unfortunately, that means we have to do part of the drive in the dark. If it's anything like the last trip (and it should be a very similar drive), that means an extra hour or two on the road. Bummer. On a positive note, we've got a new, larger rental car. So the trip should be a little more comfortable. Maybe even faster because the new car has substantially more power. Still dinky, but it shouldn't feel so much like you need to get out and push on the long inclines (you have to climb a LOT of hills, even on the highways).


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I considered not going again. Same reasons - the long drive, the being stranded alone in a strange new city - OK, it's mostly the long drive that I don't like. But, again, the hotel on the other end looks to be very nice. This time we're staying at the Novotel. I have a feeling that link will break, so try visiting the Novotel homepage and searching for Vitoria. It's a major chain (a French chain if I read the history correctly), and looks pretty good. It's worth a shot. I'm just praying the Internet works properly in the rooms.

We plan to come back on Friday. Then Billy gets a 4-day vacation. Carnival is on Tuesday, so they make a long weekend out of it. The parties are already starting in Porto Seguro. They'll kick it up a notch starting this weekend. But get this - the really huge parties don't start here until Wednesday! That's when all the big name acts (bands, DJs) come to town. They do the traditional days in Salvadore and Sao Paulo, then hit up Porto Seguro when everyone else moves on to Lent. The thing is, Billy's company is supposed to go back to work on Wednesday. Will anyone show up?

Carnival in Porto Seguro is nothing like down in Rio with the samba school parades you've probably seen on TV. I think there's a few small parades, but mostly it's like a week-long dance party. You have your choice of hitting the streets downtown, or buying tickets to the beach clubs. We plan to stay up all night partying at least once - probably Saturday night. If we have a good time, we'll probably do it again on Monday. We'll probably go the the club one night and downtown the other. They're in opposite directions from our hotel. It's a little too far to walk, and driving is completely out of the question. Luckily, there are lots of buses to shuttle you around. The public bus has a stop right out from of our hotel, but I think we'll probably buy tickets to take the charter provided by the hotel.