It snowed today. I admired the beauty of the scene outside my window and breathed a sigh of relief that our electricity did not go out and our home was warm and cozy. As I write, the time I spent in Brazil over the holidays is a memory. David, my husband, and I rendezvoused in Sao Palo with our niece, who lives in Sacramento, and her husband Marcello, who is Brazilian, and Lucas, their 5-year-old. I celebrated Christmas Eve with Marcelo's uncle and aunt and their family and friends. This was a first for me, and watching the children go agog with wonder as a tall man with a white beard and a red suit entered the house was very special. There was no chimney, but Papa Noel came with holiday cheer, a microphone, speakers for music, and two helpers. Marcelo's cousin, who orchestrated the event, was as excited as the kids. He used to be Papa Noel, but his daughters started asking why, when Papa Noel arrived, he wasn't there to be a part of the festivities. Wanting to maintain their belief in Papa Noel, he hired an actor he greeted with as much excitement as his children. This was overwhelming for Lucas, who does not speak Portuguese. Still, one of Papa's helpers spoke English, knelt beside Lucas, gave him a present, and translated for him. 18-20 people were there, all having a good time and embracing us as family. Feeling so welcome was the actual gift.
Savoring family and seeing the children grow, my nieces mature, and getting to know their spouses is special to me, so when Bekka said, "Want to come to Brazil with us?" I didn't hesitate and said, "Yes". We began our trip in Rio de Janeiro, introducing us to the warmth of Brazilian hospitality. Our guide there told us how people liked to gather together and how bands and dancing were standard in the streets during this time. This joy in community set the stage for the vacation. On Christmas Day, our celebration with Marcelo's family and friends continued. After a barbecue of juicy Brazilian steak (a new experience), a driver met us at the Uncle's house and drove us from Sao Palo to the resort town of Ubatuba. It was late afternoon, and as we squeezed in the car together, Lucas squirming on his mother's lap, it became dark, and the roads windy and filled with ruts. We arrived at the Airbnb and breathed a sigh of relief that we were safe. The house was spacious, with a pool to entertain Lucas and keep us cool. We spent the rest of the week hanging out together, doing nothing special but lounging at the beach in chairs under an umbrella and occasionally cooling down in the water. The surf was powerful, but there was also a swimming lagoon by the beach, surrounded by mountains and jungle greenery. The beach was crowded, but we didn't mind. The weather was balmy.
The scenery was beautiful, and the servers brought food to our table from the restaurants dotting the shore, which was delicious. We contently drank fruit juice and beer, and I tried the Brazilian alcohol, Cachaça, which is like rum, quite potent, and gives a mellow high. It went well with the spicy shrimp dish I ordered and the fried yuca. Yum. No guilt. The people came in all shapes and sizes, and I was impressed with how comfortable the women seemed with their bodies. Stomachs hung over bikini bottoms, and breasts often sagged in bikini tops. I was so inspired that I got a bikini too—and wore it! Once anyway.
A highlight for me was hiking to a waterfall, going over a swaying suspension bridge, holding on tight to the wires along the sides, and getting some help from Marcelo, but making it. Bekka was impressed. "Pretty good for an 80-year-old," she said. I loved that, and with some help, I navigated the rocks by the waterfall and dropped into the pool at its bottom.
Home again. I'm glad we got here safely. It is cold, but I genuinely don't mind. I continue feeling so appreciative of my good fortune to be healthy enough to travel and have the means to do so, have people in my life that I love and who love me, and live in a place that is relatively secure where roads are paved. There is a working infrastructure that provides services that can be taken for granted. It snowed, and the road was plowed. I have food to eat, a roof over my head, and a flush toilet that allows me to put toilet paper in it and flush it down. Yes, pipes in Brazil often don't support toilet paper, and there is a receptacle by the toilet for their disposal. I am no longer on Brazilian time and wake up at 5 am, which is 7 am there. It snowed, and our road was plowed. I can drink the water from my sink. The little things count, and they are not so little.
As I end this blog, I ask myself, what can I appreciate that I have taken for granted? There is a long list. What comes to your mind?
Let's reflect on our good fortune and bring into awareness some of these "small" things that enhance our lives. We can discuss this when we meet again on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11 am.
Friends are always welcome. If you or your friends are new to the group, please register.
Away & Back