Ouro Preto

Colonial Streets
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Left Rio this morning which was both sad and a relief.  Sad because of the goodbyes and a relief as we would be getting away from all muggings and thefts that had taken place.  Started today on a new truck ´Magaly and new driver (Euan) and tour leader (Truman) and a full truck of 34 people.  A lot of the people on this leg have been on other trucks before and there are only a few ´newbies´ so everyone knows the routine.  The ages are mixed although the average age is probably closers to mid 30´s with the eldest being 71 (although you wouldn´t know it). Was a fairly long driving day through lots of windy roads with forest alongside.  There were shanty towns nesseled in the hills and each shack looked like it had a sky dish attached - although later on I thought these may be a solar powering device but still not sure.  It wouldn´t surprise me as it was often like this in africa as well. The towns are also similar to some African towns, most likely as the area we were heading to and driving through was where a lot of the African slaves were brought to work.  Arrived in Ouro Perto, which means Black Gold, around 5ish and I headed out for a quick walk around town. The town is small but has cobbled streets, lots of tourist and jewellery shops and over 13 churches which is amazing for such a small town.  The town was established as a result of finding ...surprise surprise...black gold by the portuguese and was then mined.  The mine are still in operation and you can visit these on a half-day tour going down the mines in a trolley.  Very Indiana Jones.  Headed out for dinner at a very nice kilo bar Casa & Cia and then drinks at a bar with with live music till the late hours of the morning...somewhere around 4ish.

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Surprising the next day was followed by a bit of a lie in and then a walk around the town in time for a tropical storm to hit.  The water was running in streams down the street and the hotel had loads of golf umbrellas - hhmm maybe says something about the towns weather.  The hotel isself (Hotel Colonial), is right in the centre of town, is colonial in style and my room had two floors with shutters and window boxes giving a view over the cobbled streets.  Spent some time working out the phone system which is not as straight forward as it appears and then headed for a late lunch at a kilo bar.  Went later on to do a bit of shopping in the town and out for a few drinks later on before a fairly early night.