I must admit, it would have been nice had we fully understood the word barraca. When we showed up at our make-shift campsite (in a backyard), our miscommunication woes set in- the gringas were unprepared. Let's just say that I slept wrapped up in my hammock on the tent floor, with only a sheet to battle the cold, spooning Col the whole night through. Gotta love it. Overall, the trip was a good one though, a few minor annoyances here and there...this to be expected when you take a not-so-spacious backyard, stuff it with as many tents and Brazilians as possible, and throw ridiculous amounts of cachaça, Brazilian rum, into the mix... ruckus is usually the outcome. I do feel though that this was all overshadowed by our beauteous surroundings and by the spirit of this wee-town they call Guaramiranga (a fun word to say, especially when using that low, slow-paced voice that comes from the depths of your throat...go on, try it.). The main street, cobblestoned and charming, was the hub of all action: open air eateries spread throughout, artsy folks selling their goods made of lace, bone, feather, and wood, and festive music to back this social scene...delightful. I must make note that each and every year, a Jazz & Blues Festival comes to town for Carnaval- this alone putting Guaramiranga on the map for interesting places to be during Carnaval time...a much needed escape from the heat of Fortaleza.
Boy was it refreshing...waterfalls, crisp air, lush green... alas, my socks were put to good use! We also had the opportunity to meet up with Regina, a contact who I had been connected with via a friend of a friend (I love when things like this work out when traveling!)...and who I had been hoping to meet ever since our arrival in Fortaleza. It turned out that she and her family and friends were headed to Guaramiranga for Carnaval as well...So we met up, they took us in, nourishing our souls with nothing but love, chicken soup, and cookies made by the nuns down the street. Regina's circle of friends (probably in their 50's) and family are fabulous, quite entertaining, and all super interested in what we are doing. I took a special liking to the straight-to-the-point, stylishly-clad lady from São Paulo (whose favorite city is New York, who frequents the O.C., and who also adores Sex and the City...). How could you not fall head over heals? I am certainly looking forward to seeing them soon...
A few bits and pieces on the inside skinny here in Terra Prom...
...you know it's hot when you apply deodorant before you hit the sack- the sack being a hammock, placed right in front of a wide open door, the Atlantic only a little ways off. Without the consistancy of these offshore breezes, I'd be a goner. But I should ease up on this annoyance of mine with the heat, because I really don't mind it all that much...I will take it over frost and freeze any day, this is certain. One thing I will never grow accustom to though is the hot coffee consumption...I can hardly take down a hot bevey during the winter without having hot flashes let alone taking one down when the day is pushing 95 degrees...my oh my.
...poor Colls Bolls, she's covered in bites. Damned be those skeeters! Due to low energy levels a few days back, she reckoned she had dengue fever (she even mentioned malaria...yikes!). But thankfully, those times have passed and her spirits have since lifted. Keep your fingers crossed- that my travelmate may avoid any future contact with these winged little nuisances.
No comments:
Post a Comment