So this is what drinking is like

I went to the dentist last week for a filling. It was my first time having anything other than cleanings done so I didn't know what to expect. I walked to the room and the assistant asked if I would like some headphones to use while they were doing the procedure. Of course! Then she asked if I would like some nitrous oxide to help me relax. Yes, please. It was my first time ever being exposed to it. She told me it would feel like I had had a couple of margaritas (as if I would have any idea what that would be like). Within the first few minutes I really didn't like it. I felt like I might pass out. I just felt really weird. I almost asked her to remove the mask, but decided to wait a little longer.
Luckily it got better. A lot better.
Well, sort of.
I felt like I didn't have a care in the world. All the things that I had been stressing over seemed to not matter anymore. I didn't care what happened at all.  You might think that this sounds great, to be so carefree. Well, I didn't like it. I felt that I had crazy thoughts going through my head. I felt like I had no control. I also felt that I would do about anything anyone asked me to do, which isn't really a good thing.
The assistant turned off the happy gas about 5 minutes before she was done and about 20 minutes before I left. While I had complete control over my body, I still had these crazy thoughts. And I still felt carefree, but in a bad way. I came home and told Candace that I felt like I was drunk. I may have told her some of my crazy thoughts (I don't really remember).  Again, I have no way of knowing how I would react to being drunk and don't know if I'm even describing the effects of alcohol but the dental assistant told me that that is the feeling I would get.
So I'm glad I don't drink. I don't think I would like how I felt. And I'm scared for what I might do. However, it was the best experience I'd had at the dentist.

There and back again: a spinster's adventures in South America

Although you may think I only ate in South America, I actually did other things. Like be a tourist. I flew into Fortaleza and met up with Becca and her parents. We stayed there two days and then Becca and I flew down to Rio. Two days later we went to Sao Paulo and met up with Corinne and headed over to Iguazu Falls. From there it was several adventures on buses, Resistencia, a wonderful day in Salta and then down to Mendoza. And then home. There was an earthquake the day I left in Mendoza and in Chile (where I was flying to before flying home) and my flight was still not canceled. It was a sad day. But South America was great!

Fortaleza from the mission office. Any city that overlooks the ocean is a great city. Says me.

This is where we spent my birthday. It doesn't get any better than this.

We took a boat ride along the coast of Fortaleza.

Me and a shark.

The views flying into Rio. The pictures I took from the plane don't do it justice. It is really one of the most beautiful cities I have seen. Lush green mountains, white beaches...

...and Jesus overlooking the city.

On Sugarloaf Mountain, overlooking Rio and Jesus above my head.

Up close.

I have great luck with tourist attractions and scaffolding. However two days later it was up to his shoulders.

We just missed Carneval, but still got to try on some of the costumes.

 When in Rio...go to a soccer game. We saw the Flamencos play at Maracana Stadium.

I posted this already, but it was a highlight of Rio. Marcelo and the juice bar. Mostly the juices. 

Sorry Marcelo.

 Copacabana Beach. I even played the Barry Manilow song while there.

We heard Sao Paulo was dangerous but didn't believe it until we saw weapons for sale at the bus terminal. They were cheap too.

We saw these guys browsing and then saw some white guy come up and buy a Chinese star. If we had more time we probably would have bought one too. Just so we could get a picture of it.

Lailton was a flight attendant on the flight to Iguazu Falls. 

He's Mormon and single. 

And not happy about the later.

Iguazu Falls. Amazing. It makes my top 10 list. 

(So I'm posting a few of the 300 pics I took there)

Garganta Del Diablo or Devil's Throat

Right before they took us under the falls and we got drenched.

Of all the 460+ statues in Resistencia we only saw the "superman" statue. Called Victoria (Victory).

We were trapped in a sweat lodge called the bus for 6 hours. We made a sign for help. No one came.

"Soap on a stick, soap on a stick,
If you wanna get sick use soap on a stick....
Got a disease?
Share it please with soap on a stick!" 

(copyright Rebecca Batt, 2002)

Mountains near Salta

Salta

The best two hours I spent on a bus (out of the 40 total we spent riding buses). 

Thank you San Juan Mar del Plata for the ride of a lifetime.

I had to experience a South American Wal-Mart. 

It was like here, but with wide aisles.

The restaurant had all you can eat pasta and steak (to name a few). 

Chuck O Rama has nothing on this place.

Vineyards of Mendoza

Eating my way through South America

As most of you know, I love to eat. As I was going through my photos from South America, I realized that there were a lot of photos involving me and food. So I thought I'd share some of my experiences in Brazil and Argentina, one dish at a time.

First there was my birthday dinner at Habib's in Fortaleza. We enjoyed some fun company behind us.

Then there was some delicious cupcakes for my birthday. 

We made some pasta with an interesting name (Fagottini)

Becca is modeling all the amazing snacks you can get on Azul airlines. They were so good we went shopping for the brand.

Enjoying cold dogs at Maracana Stadium (soccer) in Rio

The juice bar we visited multiple times a day in Rio. Marcelo knew us by name. This is food stop #1 (and #5) from the hostel to the beach and back.

Food stop #2: fresh coconut water on Copacabana Beach

Food stop #3: Meat on a stick from a guy grilling on the street. 

Food stop #4 (and 6): tapiocas

Corinne brought an entire suitcase full of snacks. I love her.

Lunch in Salta: gnocchis,

Some spinach roll,

...and some chicken fried delight with ham and cheese

Alfajores-we had them daily in Argentina

Best buffet restaurant ever: unlimited pasta and steak. 

It was a small miracle that I didn't gain weight when this is what tempted me every day in Argentina

I think I should submit this to the Food Network. Maybe they would give me a show where I would go and eat food from around the world. Not like that Andrew fellow on the Food Network who eats gross things. I lose my appetite watching his show.