return to Narnia

Just like that, I'm back. 

The world is whiter now than when I left, although today is beautifully clear and sunny. Yesterday I flew in just before the storm really established itself on one of the last flights from Washington, DC for the day.

Tuesday morning began in what had become typical morning fashion. Oh those mornings where the sun was completely up by 6.30!  Washington DC's morning was still grey and dull at 8 o'clock. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Thanks to a domestic flight that didn't leave until after noon, there was time for coffee and tea and some therapy before leaving. Releasing some tension and getting rid of any pre-flight jitters is always a good idea, so I followed the path to an old building on the property and was handed loaded weapons and careful instructions on how to point and shoot. For an authentic experience, it started to drizzle as I stood there in a borrowed army green t-shirt and flowered rubber boots with a pistol aimed more or less at the bull's eye.

Definitely on the count for the happy days challenge! (17/100)

one last picture of Recife

I was sent off with hugs and lovely cards (oh I will miss them!), but my departure was trumped by an accident that warranted more attention (warning: don't leave sharp things on the floor!). The flights were mercifully uneventful. Sao Paulo's airport sees so much air activity that there aren't enough gates for all the planes, so they have a bus system set in place that brings you from the plane to the terminal (and vice versa). The scheduled 6 hour layover was shorted due to the first flight that came in late, but there was still plenty of time to get my bearings enough in order to check in again, find the proper gate, and to wander about aimlessly for a while, trying to decide what on earth I felt like eating. The duty frees were disappointing in their selection of overpriced souvenirs, even with the 3 that were within a 5 minute walk from each other.

United Airlines is a great airline to fly with, especially on an overnight flight. The food tastes real and is piping hot when you get it, even in the lowly economy class, they give you the whole can of juice or pop and not just a cupful, the blankets are cozy, the pillows are substantial, and I had plenty of leg room, especially with the extra seat that I shared with the lady who sat in the aisle seat. I think she thought I was under 20 as she expressed sympathy for me travelling so far and alone.

The passengers had to wait on the final plane from Washington DC to Toronto while the area where we were to disembark was cleared off and made passable. I'm pretty sure it took longer to walk from the gate to the customs booths than it did to go through them. Customs lineups were short to non-existent, my solitary suitcase made it through quickly and without issue, and the getaway car was ready and waiting as I stepped out into a world covered in wet white stuff. Travelling made easy!

The house is clean and quiet and empty. Welcome home cards were found about the house, but mainly on my bed that was recently vacated of little brothers and thousands of stuffed animals. But my darling mother always things of me: food and wine was waiting in the fridge to make dinner easy.

18/100

One sleep later, and everything feels back to normal. Or perhaps that's just the mountain of laundry I ought to be folding… 

these high green hills

Sunday morning in Campina Grande began with several alarms going off, as well as some imitation bird songs, followed by a very generous breakfast that included chocolate cake on the menu (not that I had any. promise). 

The drive to church was through beautiful countryside with rolling hills upon rolling hills, but breakfast took a little longer than expected and we were behind schedule when we left and made it just a few minutes before the service started, so there wasn't time to stop for pictures. We passed through small towns that consisted of a collection of homes, and then it was in the rearview mirror already. 

I dislike playing the tourist on Sundays, so, unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the church Esperança. It seemed as though the entire congregation gathered together for a potluck lunch in our honour - a common occurrence (in my experience, anyway) of Reformed Brazilian congregations. All that socializing was exhausting, so it was rest time when we got back to the hotel. Except for me. The beautiful weather was calling, so I wandered about the pools before succumbing to the need to escape the bright sunshine.

15/100 #100happydays

I stayed home in the afternoon in case the slightly ill or the very young needed some assistance. However, my services weren't needed, so I listened to a sermon from the comfort of the balcony in the cool evening weather. Yes, cool. The temperature actually drops in Campina Grande to the low 20s and, combined with a strong breeze that sounds like the ocean, it's almost enough to drive one to wearing a sweater. Almost.

Staying in a hotel is so luxurious. Fancy breakfasts, room service, no cooking or cleaning, bathrooms where the faucet to change the water temperature is a handle by the sink - not actually in the shower - and cushioned toilet seats. This morning we didn't have chocolate cake for breakfast, but the disappointment was made up for by fruit animals.

march of the penguins at breakfast

view from the restaurant - what's not to love?

Since we had a long drive ahead of us today, we decided to pack up and begin the journey home after breakfast. Well, the adults gathered the scattered belongings while the children watched cartoons. What a life! The pool was probably still filled with beer cans from the party in there yesterday, so a swim wasn't an appealing option.

Holiday days seem to be marked by meals. Especially here. I have been spoiled by the delicious meals I have enjoyed in the past two months. I may be converted into taking food pictures. Today included a very fruity breakfast (there is nothing like fresh, fresh fruit for breakfast), and then the highlight of lunch was what came after: ice cream topped by sugary creations.

after lunch treats, complete with decorations - 16/100

Not too shabby, right?

And now I'm spending one last night in Brazil. My solitary suitcase is nearly packed, my jeans are laid out and ready for the long trip home (oh the horror), a pair of socks is in my carry on bag (shiver), books are stacked carefully for the journey… What has been my room for the past two months looks rather barren.

It seems like last week that I said goodbye to the Canadians who were leaving for home, and now it's my turn. Upon coming home, this trip will feel like it happened years ago, but at least the memories and personal growth will stay.

from the rising of the sun - 14/100

Sunrise was at 5.35 this morning, which meant getting up earlier than that in order to catch the first glimpses of the sun - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the most eastern city of the Americas: Joao Passoa. It's the hour of runners and photographers. The sunlight had already crept over the horizon as I made my way down to the beach at 5.15 and I was prepared to be disappointed in myself for not getting up earlier. However, that golden orb soon made his appearance through the thick clouds, ensuring that the effort was worthwhile.

After a leisurely breakfast in our hotel rooms, soundtracked by Portuguese cartoons, we packed everything up into the cars in search of an appropriate lookout point. Clever businessmen set up stands to sell hats both at the bottom and the top of the hill we climbed for a high vantage point and more interesting view than standing on a mere sandy beach… The sun was extra hot today (were we all extra sensitive to the heat or was it actually warmer than what I have been used to?) and so we became some of those tourists who forgot to pack their hats, thought they could do without them, and then realized how foolish that was. Straight across that water (pictured below. and above) is Africa. If you listen carefully, you can hear the beat of their drums (or so I'm told with a twinkle).

graffiti'd tree

From Joao Passoa we headed westwards and inland. We stopped for lunch at a mall (the thing to do here); apparently today is International Women's Day, so my lunch was served with a smile and a red rose - I'm not about to complain about that!

The landscape is much different here, with all these rolling hills and open fields… Granted, I am more accustomed to seeing the busy streets and sights of Recife than these pastures. It reminds me, just a little bit, of Scotland with the rougher and craggier scenes; Scotland doesn't have palm trees, though. It's all so green. And big. And beautiful.

Town here is much less chaotic than the streets of Recife. And cooler. The temperature actually drops to the low 20s in the evenings! I haven't actually seen too much of this city yet besides the little we drove through to get to the hotel with its fantastic views and breezes. There's no sound of the ocean crashing nearby, but it is peaceful, with the scent of someone's cigar wafting through the open door…

view from our balcony

I am so blessed and so thankful to have opportunities like this.

the beginning of the end

A weekend of travel and sightseeing before heading back to Canada. (I did a quick calculation and I'll be on the road for the next week, touring about and flying home included.) People keep asking if I'm ready to go home, but I'm afraid I have so sit on the fence with this answer. Yes, I'm ready to see my family again, but I do really enjoy being here: it's going to be hard to leave.

So here I am in a hotel room after a departure that began shortly after the Plan A ETA, listening to a Portuguese kids' show and anticipating a very early morning for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (this is called rising tension so that people remain at least somewhat interested in my blog and return tomorrow).

13/100 - seeing this incredible and stunning world.

staying until the wind changes

I had yesterday's "100happydays" all ready to go, and then I forgot to post it. So, here goes.

11/100
a heavy downpour in the morning. Rain here means that it is winter, somewhat regardless of what the weather was like the day before. The rain was incredible. Within seconds, the area was soaked and the drops were bouncing off the large puddles that quickly formed. Lights started flickering, so everything was quickly unplugged for safety reasons.

I love watching the rain pelt down. It's so nice to watch from the safety of a sheltered area instead of being caught in the middle of it without having chosen to be so.

Even after - or, perhaps, especially after - such an intense rain, the afternoon was beautifully clear and sunny. The beauty of this country never ceases to amaze me.

today's showers bring tomorrow's flowers

12/100
a swim in the early evening light

After spending some time in the kitchen this afternoon baking banana bread (is it a sign that I'm accepted here when I'm asked to take over the kitchen?), a quick swim in the pool was an enticing offer. As the departure date looms ever nearer, I thought it best to make the most of opportunities like this: swimming in an outdoor pool in the evening in March. I certainly can't do that at home!

10/100 - picking my own perch

Today is Carnival day, where people celebrate this life with over-exhuberance before observing Ash Wednesday tomorrow.

In order to escape the riotous city, people gather here at the centre for an afternoon of games and various activities. This year was an Amazing Race, incorporating all my favourite elements of "Fun Day" in elementary school. The sack race, having to carry a pingpong ball on a spoon after spinning in a circle, some sort of combination of soccer and hockey… But I carry my cynicism with me from those days. Safely positioned behind my camera, I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon from my vantage point. It's all about perspective, right?

why couldn't they have had puzzles like this in my day?

I make it out to sound as though this was an afternoon only for the children here, but all ages participated in this friendly competition with a willing and eager attitude, encouraging each other with a good spirit.

diving for golf balls

The weather was so lovely this afternoon, filled with sunshine, laughter, and cheers from across the centre. As it was so warm, the majority of the participants ended up in the pool to cool off after some action-packed hours. The water sloshed merrily over the sides of the pool as cheerful chaos mixed in the water.

These sort of days aren't limited by language barriers and they remind me what a wonderful world we live in.

9/100

Emily and Jennifer

The founders of Esther's Children came for breakfast today. Actually meeting them solidifies the reality of the project - I've seen it in action, and now I've met the mother-daughter duo who is responsible for its conception and execution. 

The Lord continues to work in wonderful ways. 

8/100

Yet again, another long call home via Skype, but this time I participated by witnessing dinner.

Although I didn't have any of the delicious looking roast, mashed potatoes with gravy, or veggies, it's really wonderful to pray together as a family from different parts of the world.

7/100

Today's adventure presents acai.

This fruit is known in Canada for its antioxidant properties, is often found as a juice, and originates in Brazil. Here, the fruit is offered as a frozen treat, mixed with ice, honey, strawberries, and granola (if so desired). So delicious! I'm not one for taking pictures of food, but this warranted a photograph. 

It was a family trip out for this event. What luxury to sit outside in the sunny warmth on the first day of March. I'm definitely not in Ontario anymore. (Good thing I've realized this after six weeks.)

6/100

Nothing like a bird who whistles appreciatively as you walk by to boost the ego. At least, it puts a smile on your face.

5/100 - getting smothered in hugs

Today I spent an afternoon at Esther's Children in Vera Cruz. Esther's Children (End Sex Trafficking for HER) is an organization that works to provide young girls with the opportunity to avoid a world of prostitution - a harsh and not unexpected reality for many of these girls. 

find the one that doesn't belong

According to the website, "ESTHERS uses a holistic approach to restore lives physically, spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially and psychologically.  This program provides each girl with balanced nutrition, spiritual development, academic tutoring, training in the arts, healthcare – when needed, and group counselling."  

learning the colour red bilingually

One of the ladies here (pictured below) volunteers here once a week and invited me along. Together, we taught two classes. Well, to be honest, she taught and I read out a couple of books which she then translated for the girls who were there. The ages reach from 5 to 15 and the grades vary in each group, and can be as expansive as covering grades 3 though 7 in a single group.

Esther's Children
the Reformed church here rents this space on Sundays and worships on the top level of this building

classrooms to the left of the above picture

Although the girls are the primary focus of Esther's Children, the outreach does not stop at them. Many others are brought under the care of the staff and many volunteers who come to help out with this project.

Although I didn't understand a word the girls said, it was a special experience to have. Some girls even had their first English lesson today! Despite the hardships that they have undergone, they are so willing to love and reach out. One hug quickly multiplied into a positive epidemic. Can you convey love and tenderness through a single touch and a quick smile?

For a short documentary on how Esther's Children works and has worked to transform lives, please click here.

4/100

Nothing puts you in a good mood like a good song.

I can't count how many times I have listened this song today. Sara Bareilles is a wonder singer/songwriter and her live recordings are fantastic - definitely worth a listen!

3/100

Oh Enid Blyton.

I have always loved her books and today I picked up one of her Adventure series novels. These stores never cease to delight me, no matter how many times I reread them.

2/100

I had a scare while touring around Recife as my memory card decided to quit on me. Since I love taking pictures in order to share them with those back home, this was an unwelcome turn of events especially since electronic devices have high import taxes here. However, I tried it again with no hiccups! 

1/100

Skype.

Today I had the opportunity to connect with family and friends back home. What a wonderful way to spend a day of rest to see familiar faces! Skype truly makes the world a smaller place. 

singing your blessings

Recently I saw a challenge on Facebook called 100 Happy Days. The basic premise is to post a picture each day of something that makes you happy with the hashtag #100happydays. (You can follow me on twitter here for an abbreviated version of this numeration.) As I have been working to focus on the positive aspects of my life as of late (some days it is easier than others), I thought this would be a good challenge to accept. All of these posts are collected under the tab "thoughtful things" seen above.

Please follow me as I think about the gifts and blessings of daily life and I challenge you to do the same!

strolling with the rich and famous

Oh Thursday. The last day to play tourist with these other foreigners. I did my teacherly duties in the morning, and joined the few who were still up for looking at more things for the afternoon.

The afternoon's agenda: the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, a museum, art gallery, library (which was closed :-( ), and a park. Mr. Brennand has an impressive collection and has shared them with the public, with headquarters that look like a castle. Why not, right?

With copies of things like Michelangelo's David and Rodin's The Thinker, the man has expensive tastes. He has collections of art from when the Dutch lived in the northeast of Brazil as well as many other pieces. Only some of these are protected by motion or heat sensors, so you can get pretty close to some of them. 

Wikipedia tells me that his armoury has nearly 3,000 pieces, including swords with Egyptian gold, coats of armour, an old Bible that did not have a plaque to date it, and a room of clocks, including a replica of the Big Ben.  

this sword is actually a gun

did I mention the armoury has a moat? 

One of my favourite moments was meeting an elderly gentleman who kindly welcomed us, said something nice about each of our names, and wished us a pleasant day. It wasn't until after that we realized we had met Mr. Brennand himself who was giving some guests a personal tour of his grounds. Since he owns everything, he was allowed to play the old bells that were hung in the armoury and play the pipe organ also housed there. Why not, right? He patiently posed on pictures with many eager tourists, so we didn't want to impose any further on him. However, here he is proudly showing off this old music box:

the Brennand himself

He also had what was probably an original jukebox, which one of the employees played for us. The selections were limited, but Verdi's "Le Trouvere" came out clearly.

We slowly made our way back to the car. Well, to be honest, I made my way slowly back to the car and the others had to wait for me to catch up. But who can resist the scenery?

a slightly dark view of the driveway. not too shabby…

I was particularly interested in these birds that  rested on the trees like blossoms. At first glance, I believed them to be flowers until they started moving. I couldn't get a great picture of them as I had to stand on tiptoe in order to focus my zoom lens over the hedge, so take this picture and times it by ten to get an idea of how many birds there were.

Sunsets here are spectacular, but short - none of these lingering rays of light that we have in southern Ontario. Like the demanding photo-taker I am, I asked if the car could be stopped to take a few pictures of the landscape.

A final hurrah was held in the evening as we once again clambered into the vehicles for an outing, this time for a brief one of drinks and appetizers. I remember more of the late homecoming than the actual party, unfortunately, as my sleepy state was jolted awake when I found the door locked and barred. This isn't what you want to find late at night when you just want to crawl into bed. Thankfully one of the family members heard my timid by desperate knock and let me in.

No admonitions met me in the morning, only apologies, which probably won't curb my late night gallivanting, but I'm not too keen on the late nights here when the sun pours through the windows bright and early in the morning. My newfound friends were leaving that morning, and I managed to make my tousle-headed way to say goodbye to them.

And so life has quietly returned to more of a schedule with many pleasant memories added to the collection that will come home with me.

shop 'til you drop

What defines life as normal? A schedule and a routine? If so, the past week has been anything but that.

Life did not have a chance to return to normal after an eventful and marvellous weekend in Maragogi.  On Wednesday we (the Canadians and I) headed off to Recife with our voluntary tour guide (this was an appropriate and beneficial title for him as we got some free parking out of it) for the day. After the brilliant and burning sunshine of Monday, the slightly cooler and overcast Wednesday was a welcome reprieve.

The first stop was a museum about the history of the people from the northeast of Brazil. The familiar objects of old-fashioned cameras and and fine china are juxtaposed against the religious/superstitious objects, such as these little carvings:

People who were healed of their illness after much prayer would bring a token to show their appreciation and thankfulness for the restoration of their health. Some of these limbs were rather grotesque, showing large sores and gaping wounds. Not all of them were this graphic. Carvings of babies were included in the collection for mothers who prayed for children. 

Point of interest #2: the bank and the Christian book store. The bank for self-explanatory reasons, and the store for interest. (Note: this is different than the reading room.) It's so wonderful to see a familiar looking store so far from home. I found my souvenir here too: a Portuguese Bible. Not that I can read it, of course, but, perhaps, with time… 

From there we walked along streets that lined the rivers with fish for sale in tanks and bags. What's a more logical to sell pet fish than by a riverbank? 

The Casa da Cultura was practically right around the corner where we had parked with our guide's unofficial and unasked for club card. The Casa used to be a prison but has been converted to a shopping centre within the past 40-50 years; cells have been transformed into tiny shops and bathrooms; and the building is complete with steep stairs and its original three wings. There is a lookout on the top floor in the middle of the jail from where the jailers could see in every direction. A clever design, really.

Markets were next, after lunch of course, both indoor and outdoor. (Incidentally, we had lunch at the same shopping centre where I had been less than a week before on my minister's tour. I didn't remember this from the previous time, but there is a skating rink in the centre of the mall. Brazilians wear more protection skating than they do riding motorbikes.) The small stalls are closely set together and the narrow aisles are filled with people. Similar items can be found from stall to stall, which makes the souvenir shopping for younger siblings somewhat disappointing: no one of a kind gifts here. To be fair, buying gifts for them is hard enough when half of them only want Lord of the Rings Lego… I think the largest disappointment were the lovely straw fedora hats that all came from China. Negativity aside, navigating the aisles was a fun adventure, as was attempting to communicate in a combination of broken Portuguese and English. Brownie points for understanding the prices!

We could have spent all day in the market and surrounding stores, but were herded into vehicle in order to make it to Olinda in time for the sunset. Our smooth-talking tour guide deftly managed to avoid a parking ticket and we darted through traffic to a monastery at the top of a hill in order to view the city and ocean below. 

Recife in the evening

Recife is known as the Venice of Brazil with its web of rivers that wind their way through the city at various points. Stopped at a traffic light, we saw the contrast of social classes. Shacks thrown together  of various materials with siphoned electricity next to the polished and sturdy high rises. A collision of worlds and yet never the twain shall meet.

Olinda is a historic city and a part of Carnival fills these streets. We parked at the Igreja da Misericordia, which was built in 1540, and walked along the cobblestone streets. Thankfully we didn't have to walk up or down any of them as they could give a European city a run for its money. We poked around in a few shops and then made our way to a restaurant for yet another meal. This past week has given the week that includes Christmas and New Year's some heavy competition in the food consumption department; so much so that I think this week has won. It has felt a little like a spring break. We leisurely shared a meal, admired the lights of the city, and watched the set up for the  birthday party next to us that we weren't invited to, even though the popping of the curly balloons (yes, curly balloons) interrupted our meal. There was some live music inside that we couldn't really hear, but that was fine; our own conversations were entertaining enough. 

not the greatest quality due to the light, but this is what the streets look like

I really ought to blog more often instead of lumping several days' worth of adventure into a single blog post. So let's move on to the next scene.