The Olympic Games in Brazil are over. And despite the shortcomings of the organization, they still became an incentive for someone in choosing a direction for travel. Ryan Pyle, host of Road Tamers: Brazil on the travel entertainment channel Travel Channel, shared his impressions of unusual Brazilian traditions, Rio and how to feel like a native Brazilian.
Why did you decide to go on an incredible journey through Brazil?
While filming the previous 2 seasons of the show, I have already traveled by motorcycle in China and India. I was very impressed by the incredible vastness of China and the diversity of Indian culture. We traveled around China for three months, and during this time there were many interesting, dangerous and difficult moments. At first, the roads of China do not portend any difficulties, you go straight, trucks are rushing to the meeting, nothing ordinary, but we got under heavy rain and one part of the road was washed out. No matter how hard we tried, we could not manage to overpower this section of the road. However, the Chinese turned out to be very responsive - we and our bikes were loaded onto several trucks and taken out of this "mud hell".
In India, you can see something amazing at every step, whether it be ancient buildings and majestic temples or the Holi festival of colors. Although it was not without adventures in India. To be honest, dirt is a motorcyclist's worst enemy, just like in China, it got us into trouble again. The team and I got stuck in the mud and got out of it for about an hour. Regardless, I enjoyed every minute of my journey.
To be honest, after the largest countries in Asia were conquered, I realized that the next filming location would be Brazil. It was interesting for me to get to know the Brazilian culture and feel the "life in the eternal carnival". I have never been to South America, and it was very interesting for me to explore the largest country in this part of the world and conquer it - to explore not only the main attractions, but also to get into the hinterland and enjoy nature. On every trip, and Brazil is no exception, I try to plot a route across the country. After all, this is how I can see the climate, nature, local residents throughout the territory.
The conquest of this or that country is tests, difficult tracks, overcoming oneself. It is important for me not only to make an interesting show, but also to go beyond the boundaries of comfort, to put myself in a difficult situation, because this is how a person can feel their fears and overcome them.
What is the most unusual Brazilian tradition that you have encountered during your trip?
Perhaps the most unusual tradition I have encountered in Brazil is that of insects. Locals crush ants and use their "blood" or "sap" as insect repellent. Of course, I had to try it too. I don't even know how this effect is achieved, because it is unlikely that these ants have some kind of natural analogue of icaridin, an active substance that can be found in some insect repellents. In general, I never found out what is so magical about these local ants, the Brazilians decided to keep this secret, but this is an effective way, although the sensations are not pleasant.
What is the most memorable part of your trip to Brazil?
You know, I was really happy when I finished the trip on the BR-319 highway. This is the road that connects Porto Velho and Manaus, on which there are no cities, villages, gas stations, and even telephone communication is absent, and it stretches for 1000 km! The fact is that this road was built with the aim of developing the Amazon, but it was laid in a swampy area. Because of such an oversight, during the rainy season, the road is washed away by entire sections, along with bridges! Nevertheless, in the dry season, the road can be used, which I tried to prove in my trip. I can tell right away - it was hard! When you are not just knee-deep, but throat-deep in mud and clay, and suddenly your motorcycle gets bogged down in this disgusting slurry, and you have to pull it out, which is very difficult! After all, there is no flat, solid surface under your feet, and sometimes you drown with your motorcycle. At such moments, when there is no longer enough strength, you want to spit on everything and turn back, but then you understand “I have already overcome so much! We must move on! It's not an easy ordeal, so when I got out of there I was really overjoyed that I had survived.
What new things did you discover in yourself, did you learn about Brazil and your team while traveling?
During every trip I always have time for reflection and realization of many things. For example, in Brazil, I thought about the terrifying contrast of the city. In one part, "eternal carnival", and in the other "eternal poverty." This picture plunged me into almost depression. It is scary to realize that in the same city, someone can be chic and prosperous, and someone can fight for survival.
In Brazil, I realized that my body is more resilient than I thought. During the filming, I had a drive through the deserted places of Brazil, where there is nothing else except sand and rare trees. The whole team rode motorcycles, without an accompanying car. Because of the heat, I was thirsty all the time, and our supply ran out when there was still 45 km to the destination! Having overcome the remaining path without a drop of water, with a dehydrated body, I realized that it is not so easy to kill a person! I am very proud of my team and myself!
You know, even despite such difficulties, I still really love to travel to wild places, and I like to learn about the unique and interesting traditions and life of people living in different countries. It helps me to feel the atmosphere of local life. After such travels, I feel inspired, saturated with impressions and, of course, happy, because I have not only visited a new place, but also returned safe and sound home to my family.
In the first episode of the new season of the show "Tamers of the Road: Brazil" you were in Rio de Janeiro, which amazed us all with its beauty! While some of the moments were exciting and even intimidating, can you tell us a little about that?
As I said before, Rio is a city of contrasts. If you are staying near the Copa Cabana beach, where tourists from all over the world rest, then it is completely safe there. However, if you decide to stay in any other area, you may have some problems. For example, my team and I visited one of the poor areas of Rio, and I can say that it is in this place that you can feel an incredible contrast, as if you are in another world. Some of the families in the area live in boxes, and I'm not exaggerating. I saw boys who didn't even have some old ball, they played with a bottle. However, I was most struck by the fact that even without all the benefits of civilization, people there are good-natured and cheerful, and the children who played football were happy and did not stop smiling. This made me understand that happiness does not depend on external factors, and that you can always enjoy life! Although, of course, the crime rate in such areas is high, and I would not risk being there alone at night.
When you move from one city to another, or from point A to point B, do you have time to stop and enjoy the views and beauties of the country?
Oh sure. We stop very often, take pictures of beautiful views, meet people on the road and just take short breaks during the trip. We have never had a mad rush while traveling, because for the most part it is during such stops that we meet locals and incredible places created by nature. Once I got to know the locals, whose village is located next to a small reservoir. They offered to join the fishing trip. It was extremely unusual to fish on a frail platform, on which there were 6 other people besides me, and there was a feeling that it was about to fall apart. But this was not the worst thing, because literally 50 meters from this pier … alligators were swimming! Truly extreme fishing.
Were there any interesting moments that could not be included in the show?
When editing a program, you always have to cut out a lot of moments from the journey, because some moments are too extreme for broadcast, and some do not fit into the outline of the general plot. It also happens that some moments cannot be captured in principle. For example, while driving along the BR-319, it was difficult to install the equipment, so some of my adventures were never filmed. However, we still managed to capture one moment, but it never got on the air. A few hours after the start of the trip, we drove up a high mountain to take a breath and admire the view. A picturesque valley stretched below, and the operator and I decided to go down lower to get a good shot. However, we chose not the best place for the descent, and the stones began to crumble under our feet. Before the unpleasant fall onto the mountain ledge, the operator managed to take only a couple of shots. Bottom line: scratched hands and feet, a cracked lens on the camera and … one gorgeous shot! So it was worth it! Extreme cuts, I think, would make a good selection for a full series. I hope that someday I will be able to create just such an episode in my show.
What advice do you have for those traveling to Brazil? Can you share some words or phrases necessary for tourists?
In Brazil, you don't even need to know the language to communicate. All that is needed is body language, be open to communication, cheerful, always smiling and, of course, be sure that you can drink all night long, just like the locals. According to local patrons, many bartenders use guarana extract in their cocktails so they don't get so drunk. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but on the last day in Brazil, the whole film crew and I decided to relax, and I think that the Brazilians simply developed some alcoholic immunity, since no guarana extract saved us! But in one long night I felt what it means to be a real Brazilian, because they have an amazing and colorful life!
You are a true adventurer by nature. So what is the next place you plan to conquer? Maybe a trip from Cape Town to Cairo?
Extreme travel is my favorite pastime. I would love to go to Africa, but I would still rather visit only 1-2 countries than travel across the continent. When you cross all the countries, there is not much time left to really get to know the culture of each country. That is why I am not very interested in round-the-world or continental travel, because traveling in only a few countries I have the opportunity to meet and communicate with locals and thus learn a lot more about the culture and traditions of the country.
