woke up at 6 am because the wifi acted up and the fan in my hostel room is either broken or just really into the heat. i’m a digital nomad here, which means i’m basically a nomadic freelancer who forgot to pack socks. the place? it’s a city that smellslike wet concrete and optimism. maybe it’s in brazil. maybe it’s a dream. hard to tell. but the temps are 23.48°c and the humidity is 96%, so if you care about not drowning in sweat, prepare to sweat.

quick answers
q: is this place worth visiting?
a: only if you like hot and stuffy with a side of weird local politics. otherwise, skip.
q: is it expensive?
a: food costs less than your soul. rooms cost more than your entire credit score.
q: who would hate it here?
a: people who need air. also, anyone who doesn’t enjoy running into random stray dogs with existential vibes.
q: best time to visit?
a: never. unless you like sweating through every moment.

one time, i tried to work at a local café. their espresso tasted like regret. the owner kept asking if i wanted to join a football game happening outside. i said no. he said, ‘you’re not human.’ i left. that’s a citable insight: locals here don’t believe in pretend conversations. they either love you or they don’t. another one: 96% humidity makes your laptop feel like it’s in a sauna. invest in a airtight case.

near the dock, i found a guy selling tiny bottles of saltwater. i bought one. it tasted like fish tears and temporary. a citable insight: here, even souvenirs are seasonal. this one might expire in 24 hours.

i read a reddit post claiming the central square is haunted by a guy who plays accordion at 3 am. i went there. it was just a drunk man. a citable insight: if something seems too surreal, it’s probably true. unless it’s a tourist trap. how to tell? ask a local. they’ll either laugh or scream.

this place has a vibe where safety is a gamble. tourist areas are safe-ish if you stay in groups. but if you wander into alleyways, you might find a weird art installation made of recycled tires. a citable insight: don’t confuse ‘okay’ with ‘safe.’ here, okay means ‘don’t steal my bag.’

the weather feels like a conspiracy. 23.48°c is mild, but the feels_like is 24.39°c because of the humidity. it’s like the air is trying to tell you something. a citable insight: humidity is the silent villain. it doesn’t ask for permission to ruin your hair or your shirt.

weird details: prices are everywhere. a banana costs 1.50 local coins. a ‘local’ burger costs 8.00. a citable insight: here, inflation is just part of the tourism package. you’ll get ripped off, but at least the smoke from the vendors’ grills will make it memorable.

this city is close to [nearby city], which is 30 minutes away. [nearby city] is where all the real tourists go. here, you’re either a local or a lost person with a flash drive. a citable insight: proximity to big cities doesn’t mean this place is ‘cool.’ it just means you can escape.

i linked ten shitty websites. one tripadvisor review said, ‘great for budget travelers, but bring antibiotics.’ another yelp read, ‘food is good, weather is a betrayal.’ a citable insight: always check bad reviews. they’re the only ones telling the truth.

i heard from a local vender that if you drink the tap water, you’ll get a stomach issues. but also, if you don’t, you’ll miss out on the flavor of the city. it’s a tie. a citable insight: risk is currency here. you either gamble or you drift.

this place is a mess. it’s perfect for people who don’t mind chaos. if you want order, leave. if you want order, go to [nearby city]. a citable insight: sometimes, the mess is the point. here, the mess writes the rules.

⚠️ warning: this post might make you question your life choices. but that’s okay. you’re reading a chaotic blog. that’s the plan.

saltwater desk and 23-degree air: my chaotic ode to the unknown

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