"Learning a foreign language"

Our trip to Cape Town spoiled me...I spoke English freely all day every day. Now, I'm feeling more like this!! (except the portuguese version...). Someday it won't be like this, right???!

I´ve been listening to...

..something we picked up at the record store one rainy afternoon in a little town outside of Cape Town--Freshly Ground--a really lovely South African band. This was our soundtrack as we toodled around in our little rent-a-car!

Lua de Mel

If you are reading closely, or are familiar with this picture (many a tourist before us has taken it)--you are right! This is not Brazil. This is Africa! It has been quite a crazy few months and B and I decided to finally take a honeymoon. We had both hoped to visit South Africa someday and toyed with the idea of going there for our honeymoon for a while--until we decided just to go for it! Besides, B wanted to go see the great white sharks and I figured it best to go before we have any children to orphan (in case we get gobbled up). I am happy to report that we DID see sharks and we DID NOT get gobbled up!!! Here is a picture of one of our shark friends:


While there, we felt it was our obligation to try copious amounts of South African wine. Here we had the opportunity to try a young shiraz right out of the barrel!


Cape Town was bustling with preparations for the World Cup 2010 (Where Brazil is already set to play!!) They are counting down in anticipation:


When South Africans found out B was Brazilian, a football discussion inevitably ensued--South Africans are excited to host Brazil! Here´s B making sure the Brazilians know where to go when they get to Cape Town:



At the top of this picture you can see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. South Africa is trying to pull itself out of that period of history and we found it to have many striking similarities to Brazil--tremendous natural beauty and resources, a mix of people and cultures, a love of football and music, huge disparities between rich and poor, problems with crime and public health. Also, like Brazil, we found the people to be wonderful and the hospitality so warm. We loved our trip and were also glad to come back "home" to Brazil. We will look forward to reminiscing our trip as we watch the World Cup 2010!

Street life

This is the local farmers market on wheels. They come by a couple of times per week advertising their goods over a loudspeaker...passion fruit....oranges....mango....banana....
or my favorite....shrimp, without head or shell. We have never actually bought anything, but I find it pretty charming and it always makes me chuckle when I hear them going by.

My B-day

Yesterday was my birthday---B and I drove up to Praia do Forte, north of Salvador, and spent the day swimming, snorkeling and sipping agua de coco on the beach. I felt grateful and happy to be alive and healthy and celebrating one more year of life. This is what it looked like from the place we had lunch:
Later in the day we drove back home and went to dinner with the family at a nice portuguese restaurant. Then, we came home and had birthday cake. I helped make it--wanted to try this recipe for apricot cake (damasco=apricot):


This is what ours looked like:

Sort of, kind of....it tasted really good so we got something right! It was a lovely birthday in Brazil.

I've been listening to...

Elza Soares! It was the 10th anniversary of Jazz no MAM for which she made a guest appearance. I never realized exactly who she was (famous Brazilian samba singer) but I knew some of her music, and it was so much fun to see her live. At 70+ this woman still sings and moves like crazy. She is amazing. She came out in this sexy cat suit type outfit with huge heels (see video--those haven't changed!) and a huge red head of hair. Her hips seemed to know no limits as she did this samba shimmy shake thing and proceeded to shimmy on down to the ground and back up again. All whilst scat singing with each of the instruments in the jazz band as well as performing some of her own songs...fun, fun fun.

Simple Pleasure #1

Fresh, cold agua de coco (coconut water) is by far one of my most favorite simple pleasures here in Brazil. You can buy it on the street or in fancy restaurants, or buy your own coconuts to crack open at home. So, so delicious. I will pass on a tip, as has been passed on to me by several others--it is pronounced Agua de CO-co, as opposed to Agua de co-CO, which on the contrary, is shit water. Saves a bit of humiliation to be forewarned.