A middle-aged professional in foreign trade has journeyed abroad six times over the course of 24 years. Among these trips, there were two visits to Russia—one during its bone-chilling winters and another during its scorching summers [disappointed R]. Additionally, they ventured once each to Turkey, Egypt, Brazil, and Malaysia.
Brazil, however, is a destination I can confidently say I never wish to revisit. The sheer length of the journey alone was exhausting. Flying from Pudong to Ethiopia took 12 hours, followed by a four-hour layover, and then another grueling 12-hour leg from Ethiopia to Brazil. While the first flight wasn’t too bad, the second stretch felt like an endless ordeal.
It wasn’t just the fatigue that got to me; Ethiopian Airlines’ food left much to be desired, comparable to the less-than-stellar offerings of Eastern Airlines.
Safety concerns in São Paulo added another layer of stress to the trip. On our very first day, we were sternly advised not to leave the hotel unless absolutely necessary. If we did venture out, it was strongly recommended to travel in groups. We were also warned against pulling out our phones to snap photos while walking along the streets. Throughout the entire visit, an underlying sense of unease lingered, and unfortunately, one of our companions became a victim of phone theft.
In the past, I always made it a point to explore local attractions after work hours, savoring the unique flavors of each destination. But this time in São Paulo, our only glimpse of the city came on the final day when we visited a few spots via bus as part of a group tour. It was marginally better than being completely confined indoors, but far from ideal.
To be honest, I have no desire to endure another business trip to Brazil. Although my Brazilian visa remains valid for ten years, and I initially felt quite fortunate to secure it, those feelings quickly soured [disappointed R].
