La-Shawn McKay takes on Brazil
Published:Friday | July 12, 2024 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
La-Shawn McKay has always been a world traveller, flying with his mother to see his father who worked in Cuba from as early as six months old. To date, he has visited 14 countries and counting. So, it came as no surprise that, when the opportunity arrived to visit Brazil, McKay was packed and ready to go.
Happy he jumped at the chance to experience the culture, he explained that, prior to taking the trip, Brazil was never on his travel radar.
“The truth is, Brazil was never on my travel bucket list. The only correlation I had to Brazil was their passion for football and the Amazon Rainforest. It wasn’t until I saw a post with a group trip on Saskiaskyers adventures’ Instagram page that I even considered it as an option. The cost was affordable and I wouldn’t be going alone, so I took the plunge, and it was one of my best travel decisions yet,” he told Living.
His detailed itinerary included him and a team of tourists exploring two cities, beginning in Rio de Janeiro and ending in São Paulo, for eight days. “The first hotel we stayed at in Rio was right on the famous Copacabana Beach. We visited iconic sites like Christ the Redeemer; the Colorful Stairs of Rio de Janeiro, the Selaron Steps made popular by the Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams’ music video Beautiful; Sugarloaf Mountain; Maracana Stadium; the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, which replicates an Aztec temple; Rainforest and Botanical Garden tours, and much more. I also got to see Ipanema, the area made popular by the song Girl from Ipanema. We also visited the AquaRio: Marine Aquarium and the Rio Star: Giant Observation Wheel. All of this was packed into four days!”
By the time he got to São Paulo on day five, he was happy to get some insight into the hustle and bustle of city life. Touring one of the richest cities in South America, he stood in awe at almost 500 feet above the city in the four-glass deck of the Sampa Sky. “Imagine standing on a glass platform, above the bustling city, with nothing but a clear view beneath your feet. It was an electrifying experience with a rush of adrenaline. We continued the tour walking down Batman Alley, which is known for its vibrant graffiti murals; explored the popular Paulista Avenue, taking advantage of the malls and shopping available; visited the Ibirapuera Park and the Monument to the Bandeiras,” he added.
It was equally exciting to experience the rich culture of Liberdade. His interest was piqued as he learnt of Sao Paulo’s piece of Japan, “We had three days to take this all in because, by day eight, we were on a flight coming back to Jamaica. Both Rio and São Paulo have very vibrant nightlife and well developed urban centres with very modern infrastructure. Rio, however, is more bohemian, laid back, lined with beaches, mountains and rainforests, compared to the faster-paced metropolis of São Paulo with many skyscrapers filling the skylines. They both have an incredible artistic scene and are filled with many restaurants with cuisines from around the world. If I had to choose, though, it would be Rio.”
And, of course, there are Jamaicans everywhere. The tour guide found a Jamaican restaurant called Jerkys and, just by the name, it was an easy yes for McKay, “Jerkys did not disappoint. It had an authentic Jamaican vibe with reggae and dancehall music playing in the background, and we saw a number of Brazilians enjoying their meal. Since Jamaican cuisine wasn’t familiar to the palate of the people in Brazil, they chose to slowly introduce it to the people, starting with the world-famous jerk chicken. In addition to the delectable flavour, the serving was nuff. I usually have a big appetite, but I couldn’t finish it all in one sitting. I ended up saving some for dinner, too.”
On the topic of similarities and differences, McKay explained that Brazil and Jamaica are kindred in cultural pride and vibrancy. Both share a bohemian and easy going vibe, with warmth evident in the climate and people. The two are also alike in rich musical heritage, represented in samba for Brazil and reggae and dancehall in Jamaica.
“Both places have a high value on community and family. But there are seasonal differences. Winter in Brazil is from June to September and summer is from December to March, whereas the times are flipped here in Jamaica,” he revealed.
The aspiring pilot confessed that he not only loves being in the air but experiencing different airports as well. He also enjoys immersing himself in different cultures and perspectives. And, with the goal to visit all 195 countries of the world, he intends to satisfy his insatiable appetite for the skies and seas, if possible. “My must-visit countries for the rest of 2024 include Colombia, Peru, and hopefully either a Caribbean or South American Cruise. For 2025, life spared, I am hoping to venture east to visit at least three new countries, including South Africa, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and try to squeeze in my European backpacking trip. I also have plans to visit Canada and some new cities in the United States.”
For those who have an interest in adventure and aren’t sure if you want to explore, McKay strongly advises that you go for it, “Travelling will change your life and broaden your perspective. Start simple by visiting countries that are closer to home like the Dominican Republic, Cuba or Cayman Islands, and then gradually expand your horizons. If you are a first-time traveller, you can also look for groups to travel with so you aren’t navigating the travel space alone. Research thoroughly and plan your trips according to your interests and budget. Be flexible and learn how to pivot easily and quickly. Be open to new experiences and promise to make the best of whatever happens.”
McKay’s top travel essentials
1. Travel pillow: I made the mistake of not carrying my travel pillow for this 20+ hour journey and my neck was not happy. Don’t make my mistake.
2. Portable charger: To ensure my devices are always powered, especially during long excursions I travel with portable charging banks. I actually took two with me on this trip, which came in very handy with all the photos and videos draining the battery.
3. Comfortable walking shoes: Essential for your explorations and navigating the nature trails comfortably.
4. Type C and N plug converters: Brazil, similar to Europe and Asia, uses this kind of plug. So, in order for you to connect your devices, you need to purchase the converter. Type C plugs have two round pins, and type N has two round pins with an additional grounding pin.
5. Yellow fever vaccination card: Yellow fever is endemic in some countries in Latin and South America, Brazil being one of them. Although you don’t need proof of vaccination to enter the country, it is usually required to re-enter most countries like Jamaica.
6. Brazilian currency, the ‘real’: Although it is not something you can actually take with you from Jamaica or most countries, as soon as you land in Brazil, find a cambio and change your USD to reals. Most places in the country do not accept USD. You always have the option, however, of using credit/debit cards.