Brasil

This is a machine that literally “turns” old books into new ones. One of those surprisingly cool social projects you keep running into in Brazil.

In Brazil, you keep running into these small, unexpectedly charming things. Like a museum that doesn’t stay put, but travels from city to city like a touring circus — except instead of clowns, it brings science experiments along for the ride)

Our first real “getting out of Santos” trip with Eva! The mission: not just to have fun, but to see if it’s even possible to drag a toddler across town without losing our minds.

An interesting place in Santos away from the beaches — especially if you have kids at home, or anyone who enjoys a bit of archaeology. One small catch: Portuguese will definitely help.

Ilha Diana is a tiny fishing village that technically belongs to Santos — but in reality it feels like a completely separate world, sitting on a remote patch of land in the middle of the Diana River.

Panoramic views of the city, a funicular ride, an old church, and just a really lovely place with a lot of history behind it.

I don’t share the usual expat complaints that everything in Brazil is expensive, bad, or impossible to find. In fact, the more Portuguese I learn, the less I feel that way. About 80% of our needs can be met through online shopping. 

Renting an apartment in Brazil as a gringo can feel like a full-on quest. Some foreigners find it easy and score a long-term lease right away, but for us, the first year was a rollercoaster of surprises, unexpected rules, and extra paperwork. 

In his senior years, Bastian finally ended up in a place where he’s truly appreciated.

A great hiking route through the Atlantic rainforest that ends at a wild beach.