I've never been to South America. I've never spoke at an International Gay & Lesbian Tourism Association conference. Basically, they both made for a very interesting and diverse week of travel for me on an island off the coast of Brazil. (Oh, and I don't speak a word of Portugese either.)
The IGLTA is a worldwide organization that promotes, educates and connects gay travelers with the businesses who support them. Gay travel is a booming market and has travel suppliers in over 80 countries on six continents. Gay couples travel, they're savvy, well educated, cultured and they spend money. No wonder more and more hotels, cruises, tour operators and destinations welcome the gay travel community each year. Oh, and let's just say they open their arms to a good party at any time, too.
Traveling to Brazil by myself, I was a little wary of safety but I ended up on the beautiful vacation island of Florianopolis (Floripa) just south of Sao Paulo and there was nothing to fear. I explored little seaside villages on foot, ate fresh-caught seafood right on the beach and drank caipirinhas with the locals until the wee hours of the morning. I didn't know the language, couldn't figure out the money conversion rate, didn't know what I was eating ... it was awesome.
Not being able to convey driving directions to cabs often had me walking through Brazil, but that's OK. Walking is discovery and on foot we take the time to appreciate diversity and see things whole – even if my gay friends kept making fun of my shoes.
Ted's Top Five Things He Learned About Travel On This Trip:
1. The high season for Floripa is December to February so if you go there in late April you could have the beach to yourself ... and the club, restaurant, sidewalk, grocery store, etc.
2. A 10 hour layover in the Sao Paulo airport isn't that bad if you're mentally prepared for it. Using Google Translate I tried speaking Portugese all day. I got more laughs than funny looks.
3. Fa'Fa is the Brazillian version of Madonna and the inspiration for the Volkswagon Bug's round headlights. I'm sure you all can figure that one out on your own.
4. Gays have the largest amount of disposable income of ANY niche market. 83% of gays have passports compared to 34% of all US citizens.
5. The Caipirinha is the national cocktail of Brazil. Made of sugarcane, rum and limes, they're tasty and if you're craving a massive sugar hangover, I recommend having 5 or 6 of them.
Well, traveling with a group outside your own niche market definately gives you a different perspective of a destination, and if that particular place is completely foreign to you as well, enjoy and appreciate the diversity. Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about how we embrace anothers uniqueness. Cultures, people and destinations will always differ and learning to understand each is the first step to appreciation. The best way to appreciate your own journeys is to imagine yourself without them.
Trip Quote:
"This is like the 'Island that time forgot'. Look at the car, I have't seen a pinto in years."- Me at lunch
"baahhhhaaahhhhaaa!!!"- Uncontrolable laughter from the entire table.
"Um... what did I say?"- Me
"Pinto is 'very small genetalia' in Portuguese." - My billingual friend.
Additional photos from this journey can be found by clicking here FlickrTravelWithTed













