Issue 9: Louco / Lindo
Agora estou aqui, #modasustentavel, plus Schengen tourist visa rules.
Agora estou aqui
This issue is called Louco/ Lindo because when I think of 2025—all 32 days of it—my first thought is: this is crazy. Unsustainable. Yet when I disconnect—when I close my laptop, put down my phone, and look around me here in Floripa—it’s also unbelievably beautiful.
I often feel pulled in two directions. I have no real footing in the U.S., yet it still has a grip on me. It’s in the news I can’t stop reading, the trauma-dumping texts from friends I never see, the weight of expectations, the grind culture, the anxiety, the parts of American life I never fully understood, the “center of the universe” mentality that permeates beyond its borders. Everything I left behind—it still lingers in my digital world. I may have left 5 years ago, but I’m still in the algorithm, still scrolling through USA (now available to download in the app store).
I need to log out.
In stark contrast, my life here in Brasil feels like a dream: swimming in the ocean at sunrise, riding my bike to the store, watching a storm roll in, dancing on the beach, learning something new about this country every day, struggling to communicate every day, being pleasantly surprised every day.
Maybe it’s because I’ve watched dreams slip through my fingers before. Or maybe it’s because this time feels different—this time, it’s personal. This time, for the first time, this is my dream, not one sold to me. Whatever the reason, I know I’ve been too scared to be here, too scared to step into my dream, too scared to unpack my things.
It’s time to finally be here—now. To be fully present, even in Portuguese class, and to show up for my life here and the people in it. To actually live my life here. I don’t have to settle down, but I do need to stop being so scared and settle in. To step into the dream I’ve created for myself. Because it’s here, it’s all around me, and I’ve been scrolling right past it.
Agora estou aqui
So yes, in this issue, there are mass floods in São Paulo—but there’s also a new golden era for Brazilian film, a rising tennis star, a growing trend of sustainable fashion, and, if all else fails to remind you that life is cool, capybaras.
View PDF with links to shop and browse HERE
Issue 9:
Agora estou aqui
Notícias Nacionais
Notícias Estrangeiros
Coisas Legais
Comprar: #modasustentavel
Now Open
Coming Soon
Glossário de palavras em português
Notícias Nacionais
January 25th: More biblical level flooding this time in São Paulo down Beco da Batman and in the metro station.
While the south faces heavy rains, the Amazon is slowly recovering from a record drought, affecting 140,000 people, especially in the floating cities. Photographer Musuk Nolte captured the crisis. (The Guardian)
January 23rd: Brazil celebrates its first Oscar nomination for Best Picture with I’m Still Here.
The country is also entering into a new era in independent film:
Filmes de Plástico (Plastic Films) has filled cinemas with its hit The Day I Met You. The independent film company is gaining attention for socially relevant movies that highlight marginalized voices, but represent a vast swath of the public.
Check out Plastic Films: stream Mars One on Netflix with English subtitles.
January 14th: Making his Grand Slam debut, 18-year-old João Fonseca of Brazil pulled off a huge upset, defeating world No. 9 Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.
“Electric scooters are not going away this time,”
Francisco Forbes, CEO of Whoosh Brazil, told Rest of World.
Why do I feel so threatened by this quote? Anyway, it looks like escooters are back, with startups like Whoosh and Jet popping up everywhere all of a sudden. Here in Florianopolis, there's a Jet station right outside my house. I thought we were done with this social experiment, but with a loosening of legislation—like Rio's sandbox program—and these new companies trying to fix the mistakes of past failed scooter brands like Lime, apparently it’s not going away. I’ll tell you what hasn’t changed—couples riding on one scooter together. I see it every day here. As if the lines at SUS weren’t long enough. As for renting them? Gringos are having issues with payment processing, so good luck on all fronts. (Rest of World)
Learn Portuguese: Patinete is another word used for scooter in Brasil.
I feel like there’s better ways to get around:
January 25th: Sam Altman's 'World' Project Banned in Brazil. Tools for Humanity can no longer collect iris scans for crypto payments.
Let’s be honest here, something has always felt sus about this whole scheme. Speaking of data privacy, as an American, giving my CPF still feels weird and in some cases the data is being misused:
January 22nd: Rio de Janeiro
If I had to choose a city in the world where I feel happiest and most joyful, it would definitely be “Rio de Janeiro”.
I wish I could explain it in words, but that wouldn’t reach any logical conclusion. The energy of this place can only be felt, nothing more. I’ve lived in many places in the world, but nothing compares to the energy, nature and beauty of this place.
Even though I was born in the south of Brazil, every time I go back to Rio I feel and am more convinced that my soul is and always will be “carioca”.
Have a story you want to share, an event, or feedback? Send me a message.
Notícias Estrangeiros
Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa was ranked one of the best DN visas to get in 2025. (Nomad Capitalist). Even Nomad Capitalist is fuzzy about that one issue that no one is talking about. If you know you know!
If there’s one group of travelers that I think I’ve seen the most out in the world, it’s Germans. They out travel any other nationality. Recently, a lot of questions from Germans are popping up regarding tourist visas in the chats and reddit. I mined the answers and put together some of the answers into a Schengen passport holders tourist visa guide here:
Schengen Passport Holders:
Brazil’s Tourist Visa Rules
Stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
You cannot extend beyond 90 days.
Leaving and re-entering doesn’t reset your 90 days.
Your 180-day period starts with your first entry.
Example 1: Full 90 Days:
Anna (German passport) arrives March 1st.
Stays 90 days until May 29th.
Must stay out of Brazil for 90 days before returning (August 28th).
Visa Run? Not possible. “I tried flying to Argentina for a week and re-entering, but the Federal Police denied me. They said I had to wait for my 180-day period to reset.”Example 2: Splitting the 90 Days:
Henry (German passport) visits from January 10 to March 1 (50 days).
Leaves for Europe, returns May 1.
Has 40 days left.
If he stays until June 10, must wait until July 10 to re-enter.
Overstay Penalty? R$100 per day “I overstayed by 10 days, paid the fine at GRU airport, and had no problems. But a friend overstayed 45 days and was flagged at immigration.”
Coisas Legais
Swimming Capybaras in Rio Sucuri, Bonito. Bonito in Mato Grosso do Sul is home to some of the clearest rivers in the world.
Ascent at Bocaina Park in Minas Gerais
New substack called The Next Brazil where I discovered the aerial photography of Sergio de Souza:
And this is exactly as I imagined Balneario Camborio to be:
"Usually, the cowboy is the guy with the gold chain, the big pickup truck, and at the party, everyone’s watching him. And Camboriú is a chic, trendy place, so we thought a cowboy going to the beach would be cool."
Ari SL, producer and writer of the agronejo style hit "Descer Pra BC"
Comprar: #modasustentavel
As one of my 2025 resolutions, I’m trying to buy only circular, upcycled fashion. Check out these designers and shops for inspiration:
dedaopaulo transforms old blankets and linens into unique streetwear. You can purchase exclusive upcycling pieces at his shop, Limbo.
A surf kite lasts 300 hours but takes 300 years to decompose. Rio-based Kitecoat takes used kites and turns them into handcrafted jackets and workout wear.
Ojuara creates one-of-a-kind overalls, bucket hats, bags, and vests. Specializing in patchwork and patterns, the designer pops up at events around Floripa or you can order from her via instagram. I need a vest and an evil eye bucket hat.
“Um total de zero roupas novas.” Sao Paulo-based, RoRo Rewind creates everything from puffer jackets to Bermuda shorts and dress shirts. Think art gallery uniform with skater sensibilities.
Feira Spot in Belo Horizonte partners with local thrift stores for weekly market-style events focused on conscious consumption. Brecho means “thrift store” in Portuguese. I love searching through brecho on a Saturday with a friend. It’s a sport.
Now Open:
Clara Arte, a hotel inside the grounds of Inhotim, is now open for bookings.
Inhotim is a vast open-air museum housing over 500 contemporary artworks, it offers a unique escape where art and nature exist in perfect harmony. Located in Brumadinho, just outside Belo Horizonte.
Rio continues to revitalize its 2016 Olympic facilities to benefit the community. Venues like Carioca Arenas have been transformed into schools and public spaces.
BMX track at Parque Radical de Deodoro in Rio. Now open to the public.
Max Motta’s mural “Verde Louro,” has been unveiled in São Paulo as part of the MAR (Museu de Arte de Rua) program.
I’m always on the hunt for cool things—events, stores, startups, non-profits. Message me if you have a lead.
Coming Soon
Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta (Coming Soon to Netflix)
RedBull Show Run: The energy drink brand takes over Avenida Cândido Abreu with F1 race cars, motorbikes, smoke and loud engines. My nightmare! (March 16th in Curitiba)
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup: The mountain bike series kicks off the season in Brasil returning for it’s second year to Minas Gerais. (April 3–6 in Araxa)
Rio Do Rastro Marathon: Set in the stunning Serra do Rio do Rastro, the Rio Do Rastro Marathon is more than just a race—it’s a spiritual experience. Choose from 12KM, 25KM, 42KM, or the 67KM “Guardiões Mission” (25KM + 42KM). Looks awful—Sign up here (May 18 - 17 in Santa Catarina)
Glossário de palavras em português
Agora estou aqui - Now I am here
Louco / Lindo - Crazy / Beautiful
Patinete – Scooter (another word for scooter in Brazil)
Brechó – Thrift store
Comprar – To buy
Moda sustentável – Sustainable fashion
Molhada e quente - Wet and hot
Um total de zero roupas novas – A total of zero new clothes
Tchau.
Man, this is a total revamp! The chaos I mentioned on Reddit DMs is now controlled chaos, and it totally works. This was well laid out, well thought, well-sectioned, varied and yet continuously engaging. It also blows a previous idea of mine out of the water (I'll send you it). Bravo!