Month: November 2013

Gotta move, gotta get out
Gotta leave this place, gotta find some place
Some other place, some brand new place

BARBRA STREISAND

Our last day in Beco. We packed up and were planning to catch the bus, but a dog was following us and then the dog’s owner came and picked up the dog with their car and then they returned and picked us up and took us all they way to our new place in Saco Grande. What a blessing! Very Nice! Just after I had mentioned to Viena about people sometimes liking dogs more than people like people. Our new place was a mess, but we were quickly moved in and I jumped to work on putting the bed together. There was a mix up and they forgot to deliver the refrigerator and some parts for the bunk was hard to put together as well and needed accessory parts from the store. I ran off and tried to buy a few things at Shopping Floripa. Started late. I had to run all the way back because no buses. This was going to be our first night in Saco Grande and the place was going crazy. Neighbors were setting off fireworks. The local soccer team Figerense had won their game and received a promotion into the Series A league. Everyone was happy. the delivery guys showed up at 10:00pm without our refrigerator. Oh well. Another story.

Together at peace
Together in a dream
A reflection of light
Is all we can see

Together in water
Together unreal
A reflection of peace
Is all we can feel
THE THERMALS

On Thanksgiving, we should have zoomed off to Praia Galheta early, but we did not. The days of travel are wearing us down and I know we are leaving in a couple of days. Dwana was not feeling well. I took Ezra and Viena to the Lagoa and hung out near the water. A nice quick walk. Ezra has been the only one really brave enough to play in the waters of the Lagoa. Spent some time calling friends and family back in the State. Our thanksgiving dinner was some salty chicken I had BBQ the night before. I finally met up with LEO – the new house owner. I told him I was thankful for him having the land. He gave Viena, Ezra and I a tour of the house and the 3rd floor view. Wow!

Spent a wonderful day in the Car with our new friends Bia and Noah. They took us to a hidden childrens play area and wilderness reserve park in the middle of the city. Yes, I forgot my camera.

We went to SESC, which is a great place for the children to play and thankfully, it is right near our new place. I ran there from our new place and met up with all the others. The beach at Cacupé is nice, but does not seem like anyone enjoys the water. We also went to the Ecological Park with Bia and Noah. We have not traveled in a car in a while.

And it feels like snow in summertime
SOPHIE BARKER

We walked/biked to Praia Joaquina. Late at night after Ezra was asleep, I defrosted the freezer. Viena had fun playing with all the accumulated ice. She thought she was back in Alaska.

In this long, long leap of faith
I close my eyes
And I walk right to the edge, throw my hand up to the sky
Oh, I’m not afraid
I’m not afraid to live this life through my dreaming eyes
BIG&RICH

“Look Mom! The women are fixing things!” as Vanessa and Rosiley were trying to repair the refrigerator door that had rusted off. “Age of the woman!”, Dwana responded. The rains are falling this morning, so we just stayed inside to watch the repair process. The rains fell in the morning and the early afternoon. Viena and Ezra were loving playing in the warm rains and the ensuing mud puddles that were made in the streets. They played for what seemed like hours. I have been catching up on my sleep that I lost when I drove to New Foundland. For some reason, I am feeling especially tired. The place in Saco Grande is secured and all our flights are fixed. So today I read to Viena and had Viena read to me. We need to read more, and while the rain is falling outside is a good time to read. Around 5pm, the sun came out and we escaped down to the Lagoa. Ezra jumped of the dock like he had observed the bigger boys doing yesterday. The group of boys from yesterday were here again today. They had increased their tricks by swimming out to one of the uninhabited anchored boats near the shore and climbing up and jumping from the crows nest … actually doing a back-flip off the crow’s nest. Impressive. We had a big laugh as the older boys were trying to teach on of the younger boys how to dive, but the younger boy just kept doing belly flops. Ouch! time and time again! The sun came out and did not take long to heat up. We watched as the fishing boats crew of 3 prepared their boat to go out fishing. They wear such different fishing gear than compared to Alaskan fishing gear. Lots of interesting people hang out at this end of the lagoa. Man helps woman with newborn cross the busy street. We met Nick on the way back. Going to his house to see the new place.

Salt water never grew roses
Seems roses can’t grow in the sea
A river can fashion a valley
From a thousand sweet drinking streams
THE MOODY BLUES

A group of boys were playing down at the lagoa – the stand by me age. First, they played a game of jumping of the dock. Then they played a game of long-jump off the dock to see who could jump the furthest – with a twist. The would jump from a distance of boards from the edge, not the edge. I thought of what if the Olympics would use water in their events like the long jump and the triple jump and the high jump and even the pole vault. The day was overcast and cool. We walked down to the lagoa, since both Ezra seemed to be bouncing off the wall in this place. They can be so loud sometimes and other times so quiet. So, took them on a walk – no bicycle. We just walked slow and took pictures of all the little birds in trees and high wires. not too many cars going to the beach because of the weather – which makes watching that group of boys even more interesting. They showed no coldness after they water play antics. They played on bikes trying to bunny hop coconuts. There was a coconut stand nearby which left many empty discarded coconuts on the ground, so they played the game to see who could throw an empty coconut the farthest. Imagination meets angst. Ezra and Viena had their own games of wrestle and tickle in the sand near the lagoa. the water sign says “impropio for banho” but that did not stop the boys. They even wanted to ride one of the bikes of the pier, but that was a bit much for the boat operators. We sat eating popsicles and enjoying the sights. A couple of backpackers were enjoying the scene as well. A group of 2 couples with lawn chairs came to sit, one of the guys had a knee brace. Young guy. Viena is excited about going on a boat ride tomorrow. I hope the weather is a little warmer. Ezra fell asleep shortly after we returned to the house. He walked all the way home from the lagoa.

Blues, soul, rock, country
Red, green, blue, yellow
Morning, laughing, talking, walking
Bread, rice, water, fruit

It’s a simple feeling
Hold, feel, save me
Baby, brother, sister, parent
JULIANA HATFIELD

Today we walked to the beach of Joaquina. Ezra rode his bike. The day was cloudy and the usually on Saturday even early the beach is crowded, but the clouds kept most people away. Ezra is becoming a professional on the bike, and traveling to the beach or anywhere is so much better when Ezra is not the slowest. Now, he leads the pack and I just need to help him up the hil and slow him down the hills since he does not have any brakes. Yes, one of those type of bikes. The water was clear and refreshing. I played in the water, body surfing and body boarding. Ezra came in to join me for a little bit. A perfect temperature of water to play in without a wetsuit. The sun was hiding behind the clouds for most of the time. We stayed at home the rest of the day. I was going to go and give Rafael some of our freshly cooked pineapple-apple-banana-lemon-orange cake, but night came upon us too quickly. Rafael is one of our old neighbors that remembered us. A cow came and visited us last night. The conversation went like this … “Moooooooo! … Bark! Bark! BArk! BArK! …. Moooooooo! ….Bark! Bark! BArk! BArK!…. Moooooooo! ….Bark! Bark! BArk! BArK!” You get the picture. I think in the end, amazingly, the cow had the last word. Moo!

the sky is lavender with ivory clouds that threaten
drops of finger-paints
puddle jumping children clad
in yellow raincoats splash the deeper
purple of veneer
THE VERVE PIPE

I arrived home to take Ezra and Viena on a walk down to the Lagoa. The sunset was just moving below the clouds to shine on the water. The water of the lagoa is not appropriate to swim in, but people still swim and the shore has a little bit of sand and grass allows people to walk, run or bike ride along. At night I went to watch Figuirense Futbol team at the Neighbor-Market guy’s house. He has a house on a steep hill that you would not find in Alaska because of the steepness. He has a great view of the Lagoa and the sand-dunes. I sat mostly in silence and listened to the Portuguese being spoken. My understanding has not really improved. I could understand the soccer goal, Although I was mixed up on the teams because the other team was wearing the traditional Zebra Jerseys of Figuira.

This is the house we used to live in
This is the place I used to know
This is the house we used to live in
Where I felt I could always go
THE SMITHEREENS

I woke up and took the bus into Saco Grande to meet André for lunch. Everything worked out great. I was able to see our new place next to André. One big-little room – our home for the next 3 months. Our little place here on Earth. André and I looked over some appliances and beds to be delivered. Even with furnishing the place the place it will be less expensive than a summer vacation rental here in Floripa. I had to take 6 buses in all to go back and forth .. but finally efficient. Not as cool as the Madrid Metro.

i guess it’s not the way
you always planned it
looks like you’re heading for a
crash landing
that’s just the way it looks
from where i’m standing
from where i’m standing

Schuyler Fisk

The day Ezra face-planted in the dunes and Viena lost her tooth. The morning was so calming and peaceful before Ezra decided to bomb-down the hill sozinho on the red sled! This is how it happened. Viena and I were sitting on a small sandy bluff on the dunes and I was telling her all about nature. She was looking around and we both were listening to the nothingness of the dunes. We were watching a small little yellow breasted bird in a bush. A small falcon fles by with his latest catch snatched from the Sands of Joaquina Dunes. A cool morning breeze was blowing just enough to refresh, but not too hard to blow sand in your eyes. the sun was warm and not threatening. Dwana had tucked herself in another part of the dunes and was in her own little nature world. This left Ezra, alone with his imagination. So, Ezrawalked up to the top of the dunes with the red sled and proceed to initiate launch – or in this case, descent. The morning-dew wet sand accelerated his descent, until he wiped out at the bottom at least a 50 meter ride. 911 to the rescue. I was up and bounding down the sand thinking the worst. When I arrived, his mouth was all bloodied. I said, “It’s OK, It’s going to be OK!”, but Ezra replied, “No, I’m not OK, I’m all broken!” Then I carried him up the sandy hill to Dwana’s arms. Luckily, nothing broken. Viena came home and wiggled her tooth out of her mouth. So, ironically, Viena lost her tooth on the day Ezra should of could of lost some teeth.

I’ll tell you why the days go by
Like caterpillars do
And clouds are cotton blossoms in a field of blue
JUNE CHRISTY

Ezra was telling me on our walk out of the neighborhood, “Dad, when do you think I will get a bike – I already know how to ride a bike.” No more than 10 minutes later, Dwana was holding an old bike that a man had saved from the trash. Still works. A little rusty. A little busted up. A little old. But, still works. He rode the bike down the rest of the way until the Lagoa – just like Mylon did 14 years ago. At the Lagoa, we purchased some fruits and vegetables. What a day for me! I am not sure how the rest fared. I left Ezra at our place crying, as I pegay un carona with Rosiley and Vanessa into Centro – Shopping Iguatami. For the next 6 hours, I would test out my ability to shop. First, I tried to find a cah machine near UFSC. Florianopolis has 2 universities right near each other. UFSC and UDESC. The day was warm and cloudy. After asking a few people for directions, I found what I needed, plus a half liter of fresh agua de coco and strawberries and then I was on my way.Again, the shopping is overwhelming and painfully slow because I am expecting prices lower than the US – but that is not the case. I set up a grocery delivery and was off to the next place – Centro. The layout of Centro was still familiar in my mind from 14 years ago. The big tree area looked more occupied by disinterested people than I remember. I was out the entire day until night when I caught the bus back. I hunted down all the little items that we have been trying to find: cashews, a hat (masculina), swimsuits. Rua Felipe Schmidt. I even found a place to repair my sandals. The groceries were delivered late, and they were missing one crate. Our refrigerator door broke and fell off. A few mosquitos ate our ankles for dinner.

Down by the bay
Where the watermelons grow
Back to my home
I dare not go
For if I do
My mother will say
“Did you ever see a fly Wearing a tie?”
Down by the bay.
RAFFI

Viena and I went on a walk late at night to buy some Galinha Sandwiches from Basilio Launchetes. The sandwiches appear bigger than they were 14 years ago. Still so yummy. The night sky was clear and a planet could be seen setting in the West. What a good day. Ezra was passed out and we all sat and enjoyed Cheese Galinha at home.

You can stand under my Umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(ella ella eh eh eh)

Rihanna

The guys – construction workers for the State of Parana – arrived back after their week back at home with their families. I am so blessed to be able to live this time traveling the world and living each day with Viena and Ezra when they are young. Where do we go today? Not the snake-infested dune trail. Let’s walk the road to Praia Joaquina. A clear day. A sunscreen day. A day for umbrellas. They should call this street “beco do cachorros”. We are always greeted by dogs when walking the streets and now there is a black cat that likes to creep around our place and pretend he is a panther. The beach was full of people early around 9:30am. We lasted until noon. Too long. I knew we still had the dunes to walk back through in the mid day, but today we were prepared. I had our beach umbrella that I followed along with Ezra protecting him from the rays from above. The waves of Joaquina were big enough to play in. appeared like a small surf competition was going on. Probably every weekend. I have forgotten the feeling of what it feels like to be a weekend warrior. Our boogie board was good enough for Ezra and Viena to have fun with but starts to weaken when I take it out for the bigger waves. the water was so refreshing and cold, but easy to acclimate to. We all played in the water as we watched the sands of Praia Joaquina fill up with umbrellas – ellas, ellas, ellas. Lots of eles and ellas out there enjoying the beach. today. Ezra walked and talked all the way home. “Mom, I did not even need carried!” Lots of cars, zooming up and down the street to Joaquina. Glad we did not need to worry about vehicles today. Looking forward to a carefree car-free summer in Floripa. Viena and Ezra are playing the ball game I invented in the hallway. The fun you can have with a ball. Saw a humming bird talking to a red flower. The neighbor dog is a chow. Super nice looking like Chewbaca. I guess the moon is full and the meteor shower is supposed to be out. I broke my flip-flops yesterday. Need to find a shoe-smith – zapateria.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

BILBO

Morning arrived early. Thunder and lightning during the night. One of the many things that disturbed last nights slumber. We lazed around in the morning having casual conversation with André about the state of Brasil. André’s SOB State of Brasil speech. By the time we were motivated to walk out of the house it was 10:00 O’clock. The skies were still cloudy and threatening with a vento Sul. We walked to the Lagoa and along the shore. They were having paddle boat races. Such a beautiful place. Living around playful water makes such a difference. We arrived at Lagoa da Conceicao just as the farmers market was closing. Ezra and Viena played on the playground for a little bit. The playground is just as the playground would be after 14 years of wear and tear. No new playground here. The wind continued to blow. So, we walked back home over the dunes. I showed André and Divani the Campo de Futból shortcut that leads to the big dune of the West. Walking across the vast dunes was so awesome. Even with the strong wind blowing sand in our face, everyone was having a great time. The traverse across the vegetation was full of dodging lagoons and pokey plants. No signs of snakes. I wish we could take our usual shortcut, but even the secondary shortcut was showing signs of snakes. So we walked almost to Joaquina Grand Dune before finding the safe road to lead home. A brief storm sped our place a bit. I am sure Andre and Divani will sleep well tonight. Hopefully, I will too. Saw my first Brasil soccer goal today as Viena and I watched the local teams play.

A silent bird
A raging tide a mountainside
An open door
Looming from the surf

A whispered word
A steady wind as we began
And then no more
PHISH

The day was a holiday. Businesses were supposed to be closed, but most of the tourist-oriented businesses of Retiro da Lagoa were open. Capitalism is definitely more apparent here in South America than in South-East Asia, Sri Lanka, or Europe. In those parts of the world – a holiday is a holiday. André and Divani arrived in the early afternoon after experiencing the “summer holiday” bus schedule traffic jam to Lagoa. They found it was easier to walk from the West of Lagoa than it was to wait on the bus to move slowly along in the traffic. We prepared for the chusaqueria later and then went walking to Praia Joaquina. A little bit of sun near the end of the day – just perfect. No need to worry about sunscreen. Ezra and Viena and I chased an empty 2-liter plastic bottle down the wind blown beach. I am so glad the temperature of the air and the water are both agreeable and prevents both Ezra and Viena from saying “I’m ready to go!” They have been really content with all sandy excursions of late. They are improving. We walked back home through the dunes of Joaquina. Such a cool experience with the lighting of the dunes and the wind blowing the sand and not really hot and not really cold and knowing the distance is not really far and very simple. We arrived home and André started his 5 hour BBQ Churasqueria – cooking class. Poor Viena was so hungry, but fell asleep before the full course was served. Ezra was long gone to bed before Viena. With the children asleep, we were all able to enjoy a late-night discussion in both Portuguese and English as the meat slowly roasted, cooked, burned until past midnight.

Oh, I love to dance 
Under an alien sun 
Along the dunes with you, I kiss you in the sand 
We give so that we live 
Beside the sleepy snakes 
They dream of you and me when will they ever end 
For a million years they dream 
For a million years they dream 
ALPHAVILLE

The dreams of Brasil are real – not as forceful and powerful as Bali or Rome, but they are real. Snakes on a plane. Snakes in the dunes. Unbelievable. All the signs were there, but we chose to ignore them. But today, in the evening, we saw three snakes. Slithering. A wake up call. We had such a wonderful evening sunset in the dunes – in our favorite spot. Where we live in the neighborhood, there is a shortcut trail that cuts through the pokeys brush to arrive at the sandy dunes. The shortcut makes a 30 – 45 minute walk into 15 minutes. We have walked these trails over 100 times. Just the other day we were joking about all the creatures that could live in this undergrowth or the type of lizard tails that were making the tail tracks in the sand. 1000’s of tail tracks in the sand. Now we know – SNAKES! LOTS of SNAKES!. Dwana had run through the sandy dunes with Viena and Ezra following – laughing and giggling every step of the way, the warm sun warm sand warm breeze were all just that as the sun moved closer to the mountain horizon. I pulled Ezra and Viena down the sand dunes in the vermelho sled from Spain. The playful evening was everything it should have been and it was for us … the travelers … the ones extracted from the life we knew. And yet somehow, someway now it is even easier to connect and feel from where we have lived, from who we have lived with, from ties we have created in this ever evolving life. And so I say GOODBYE to the trail of Snakes!

Peace of mind is so hard to find
How I wonder
As we try to reach the sunrise
Sittin’ on the other side of the sky
How I wonder
As we try to reach the sunrise
Ah the sunrise
Ah the sunrise

THE CULT

We did it! We finally caught the sunrise at Praia Galheta. This time a clear morning. I awoke with a dream of my brothers and cousins – kinda like racing through a maze of a video game with tunnels and a large mechanical transport device that was very intimidating and unfamiliar to me. That was 5AM in the morning. The stars were out, but quickly faded in the 30 minutes it took us to leave. Still an early start. Once begun – half done. The dogs were awake this morning . We walked – I carried Ezra. This time we had 2 boogie boards and 1 umbrella. We used them all. Great boogie boarding. Ezra and Viena really had fun in the waters of Galheta. Perfect temperature. Refreshing, but not numbing, and clear and clean – the color of aquamarine. No clouds or rain this morning. The sun did not need much time to heat up. We played tag and swam in the water. A couple of fishermen. I love this beach. Such natural beauty with the rocks and the green terraced mountain backdrop. The sun was out without obstacle. I used everything I had to protect myself from the rays. And guess what, it worked. Caught a cab back for 8 reais.

 

I'm a little frog and my daddy loves me 
I'm a little frog and my mommy loves me 
And when they tuck me in to say good night 
They say "ribbit ribbit ribbit" 
Good night
Laurie Berkner

This morning Viena made sure everyone was awake. She wanted her kiwi sliced and diced. I should have already been out for a run on the dunes. Maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow we can go to the toy store. A walk along the lagoa. This morning’s excitement grew as Viena was swinging in the hammock and then started screaming. We all thought the worst – spider, scorpion, tarantula, snake … and then she exclaimed “Frog!” much to our relief. And sure enough, there was a sticky foot tree frog sapo, sporting the sandy color of the hammock in the hammock. The frog was mind enough to stick around and entertain us. And yes, he did finally escape to jump another day. I made a quick trip into El Centro to meet André. I should have started earlier, but the sapo story story was too much to leave. today is a hot Floripa day lie I remember. The sun is straight overhead, midday, like I remember. And the shadows are welcomed when walking the streets, like I remember. A breeze exists and unsuccessfully tries to whisk away the heat. I am traveling by a new bus system. I am late to meet André because of the bus and because I stopped to buy a speedo for Ezra. No monkeys here. “Too many pokey here for Monkey’s”, Viena said. I am hoping to find a place for the remainder of our stay. Shopping here is not as much fun as it once was. Prices appear double and the dollar worth is cut in half. A pair of board shorts for 260 Reias – over $100 USD!. How? Who can afford this? Somewhere we will find where the locals shop. Like today – 4 bananas 10 cents each – a good price. I went into town – El Centro. I caught one bus to another bus to another bus to aother bus to another bus to another bus waited on another bus, gave up and walked home. I went for a walk into the dunes. The buses I caught were into see André and check out potential places for us to stay. Let’s hope. I tried to do some shopping, but I ran out of time and energy. The day was hot. I was able to purchase a couple of boogie boards for tomorrow. I purchased a bus pass that will save us 20 cents a trip – tourista pass. I was able to do some shopping at Mercado Publico. I came back home after walking home from Lagoa and we all went for a walk into the dunes to watch the sunset over the mountains of Floripa and the dunes. So many aspects of the dunes. I need to take more photographs – a book of just dune photography. If we could just bypass all the pockeys, but both Ezra and Viena are having fun walking past all the pokeys. Viena more than Ezra. The sand is so fine. And the morning and evening sun is the only intensity we are able to handle, but now we have an umbrella.

 

I found a love, hidden in a backstreet 
I found a love, baby 
I found a love, hidden in a backstreet 
Hidden away from the world, baby 
CAT STEVENS

 

I was trying to think about the theme of the day – PLAY. Viena and Ezra have lived near sandy beaches, but for some reason, the sand of these sand dunes comes from such a playful source. We went on an evening walk to the dunes. This time along the road. And for once, I did not bring along my camera. Sand dunes and wind are hard on cameras. I wanted to concentrate on PLAY as well. Viena and Ezra ran up and slid down, ran up and slid down … on their red sled from Madrid. They just played in the soft sand … with ants, plants, and dried centipedes that wandered to far from greenery. We talked about camping in the dunes. How much water should we bring? Gotta do it. We camped in the dunes before on Dad-Dad’s 60th birthday. Ezra walked all the way to the dunes and all the way back without needing a ride. He is sleeping peacefully tonight. This morning Viena and I went on a walk to Lagoa da Conceicao. – the little village near the lake. Viena continues to be interested in what Mylon did on this lake. We walked by Mylon’s old school – shutdown. We walked across the dunes on the way home, just like I would do with Mylon after school when he was 4. What a difference than walking the street with the cars and broken sidewalks. So close to the nature of the dunes and the sand and the flowers, nesting birds, wind, quietness, greenery, trails, little lagoons. A good day.

Be strong
Don't give up hope
It will get hard
'Cause life's like a jump rope
BLUE OCTOBER

Attack of the bed bugs – Brasilian style. “I know why Borneo had bed bugs and Buffaloes, Dad. – They both begin with B”. Unfortunately Brasil begins with B as well. Our first Saturday night and sleep did not go well. Besides the late night neighborhood parties until 4 in the morning, besides the yelping puppy dogs yelping through the night, besides the change of beds with Viena and I – we had another encounter with bed bugs. Where did they come from? Did we bring them from walking through the dunes? Who cares? They are here and we exhausted our tolerance on Bed Bugs in Borneo. I was finally drifting off to sleep about 3:50am in the morning when Dwana comes into the living room guns a blaring – “Foley, there are bed bugs again!” My first thought was, “How does this affect me? and couldn’t this wait until morning?” But alas, even though the noise of the neighborhood could still be heard clanking – morning was upon us. I rose and made some coffee, packed our bags, loaded up Ezra on the boon-da pack and we headed out the door, into the night, to see the sunrise at Praia Galheta. We were immediately confronted with the reality of cloud cover and light drizzle, but warm enough. So, although we had a horrible start to the day, the day turned out great. We explored the natural beauty of Praia Mole and Praia Galheta in in the early morning. So nice to be doing, re-doing, familiar adventures from the past, and they are still great and not many things have changes. The jungle trail is still there. The beach area is still undeveloped. And the sun still rises. You still must time the tide to walk the shoreline or you can take the upper trail. More surfers enjoying the lost waves. We were able to sit for a bit and enjoy breakfast and see the sun rise. The water was phenomenal – cold, clear, refreshing. And yet, you instantly warm up on shore, even on this overcast morning. So peaceful and calm. Did I mention Viena walked the whole way. Yeah Viena. I had to carry Ezra to Praia Mole or we would not have made it. The walk back was busy. We went back to Praia Mole for the Sunset with André and Divani. I just tonight to be good … not like last night.

I said "Hey that's the way we do it
New friends and blue skies that never end
Hey that's the way we like it
Good times, sunshine and summertime"
Faith Hill

We ate a good breakfast from our food that was delivered the night before from Angeloni. The delivery service cost $3.50 USD and is well worth it – basically, the cost of a round-trip bus ride. They were playing soccer in the neighborhood so we walked to the field to see. We also walked to see the old homestead. I have not seen any familiar faces in the neighborhood. André came over in the afternoon and we all went for a walk in the dunes. First, we had to witness some intense soccer from a small sand bluff in the dunes. The sun was still strong at 4:30pm. We had a great walk in the pockeyss of the dunes and then out onto the freedom of the sands. Such freedom. Viena and Ezra love their red sled and love riding down the dunes. I am sure you will see sled rentals here pretty soon. We walked and played all the way to the main dune of Joaquina – the Mother Dune. Still unmistakable. Perfect temperatures. We called Ira and Iso on Skype. I guess Iso is a destroyer and a cleaner. The neighbor was loud through the night, but I was not prepared for what came next …

I met a man who bought up land
Wherever his feet would tread
He asked me to El Paso
Said I could stay on his spread
He has horses and cows

BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE

We are all sunburned from going through the Dunes mid-day. More than a 24-hour burn. Amazing what a month in Autumnal Europe will do to lighten your skin. Now, we have a entire Brasilian summer in front of us. What is there to expect? What is there to know?I had interesting dreams of playing and leading an ultimate frisbee team down the field. Other segments of the dream led to work and then the Prince William Sound and Mason not making it through the portal. Glad I could catch up on my dreams. However, I have this urged to wake up earlier and go on an adventure, even if the others do not awaken. Pack Ezra in a bag and just go. We walked down to the Lagoa after breakfast. Then I caught a bus into town to see André. The bus dropped me off near the cemetery and I walked the rest of the way to Saco Grande – the coastal way through Joao Paolo. The top of my list is finding a place to stay. I have discovered that the bus system has changed over the years. Now, you need to take 3 buses to go into El Centro, not just 1. Maybe this is a good thing. Here I am at the Terminal Lagoa. Do I walk the dunes? Standing room only on the bus and summer has not even started. At night the neighbors were having a BBQ Churasqueria and they invited us to partake. Yummy. Beef. Pork. Chicken. Brasilian Style. I had a chance to practice my Portuguese. Ezra and Viena loved all the carne as well. Viena really loved the pork.

They wish upon the waves that hide the sand
Let them know that life teaches you
To build a castle in your hand
OASIS

 

Well, we have visited many hot sunny places, but have been able to escape receiving a good sunburn – not any more. The Dunes of Joaquina are bright when the sun is shining. We took an afternoon walk when the clouds were covering the sun. I asked Viena is she wanted to walk the pokey way through the dunes or along the road. She chose the pokey way through the dunes. Not so bad today because we knew what we were going through. Amazing that over 10 years has elapsed since we walked these dunes and yet they have not changed a bit, thankfully. And yet still the same windy pokey trails that leave you wondering if you have chosen the correct path. Birds, frogs and some creature I could not see kicked up the sand before rushing under the green growth of the vines. Cool little desert flowers. Viena has been so excited about the dunes. She loves the red sled and seems to talk non-stop when we are walking through the dunes. Mostly using Ezra’s name, Ezra this and Ezra that. We walked all the way to Praia Joaquina. Such a nice beach. Nice waves. The water is cold like the California Pacific. Very refreshing with the hot sunshine around. Dwana and I just relaxed and wondered why we traveled around the world when we already new where paradise was. I have so may good memories from here in Lagoa da Conceicao. Such a pleasant place. I hope Florianopolis never changes.

If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air
GROOVE ARMADA

We awoke from our slumber – a well needed and deserved slumber – around 9AM, and walked to go to buy groceries from the local market. The owner of the market remembered me from 14 years ago. His store has double in size and now he make fresh bread – business must be good at the Market Retiro da Lagoa. Not much has changed in this part of town. The farms are still around witha few cows. The lands look to be cleared a little more, but all in all, pretty much the same road all the way into Praia Joaquina. Glad to see the lack of progress. Viena is so interested in all the things that Mylon did when he was here. The weather is nice and warm, but not hot like in the summertime. Dwana has had a headache all day, but we convinced her to go for an evening walk through the dunes. The sun was a couple hours from setting and that allowed a perfect time to walk through the trail at the back of the soccer field into the trails – the pokeys trails – of the dunes – where Mylon used to walk when he was Ezra and Viena’s age. “How many times did Mylon walk this with you and Mom?” -“153”. “How do you remember that?” – “I have a great memory.” “Why can’t you remember France when you fell asleep in the Lourve?” – “That was a long time ago.”