Last night was a completely new experience for me. For the first time in my life, I spent a New Year's eve celebration on a tropical beach in South America. Warm. Nice ocean breeze. Wearing shorts.
Yes. Shorts. I can't think of a single time in the US when I wore shorts to a New Year's party.
Here's a few pix:
A Familia DaSilva, L-R: Luis, Ana, Guilherme, Edna, Maria, e Rodrigo.
Eu e Maria
Maria's parents (and party hosts), Guilherme e Edna DaSilva
Ana and Maria
Festa Ano Novo na Praia da Barra da Lagoa, 2009
A few words about last night:
I arrived in Barra da Lagoa around 4pm after navigating the local bus system (which is pretty good, actually, just a bit hot if you're not on an executive express bus), with the day's festivities already under way. I was immediately handed a beer. I drank it. When I turned to talk to someone, and then looked back, my glass was mysteriously full again. This happened all day long!!! Another thing: I smoked a Cuban cigar. A Real one. Romeo y Juliet. Now I understand why they are so treasured! Cuban cigars are definitely a class above anything else.
I went for a walk on the beach, just me, and soaked in some of the Brazilian sun. I told everyone I was only going for a short stroll, but somehow my short stroll ended up being more that an hour. It's easy to lose track of time here.
We set out a big spread and ate, drank more beer, and prepared for the short walk to the beach itself. In Brazil, it is traditional to wear white for the passing of the old year into the new year, which brings luck. Another tradition: After midnight, you eat seven grapes, then you go to the water's edge and hop over seven waves. Another good luck thing.
This was definitely one of the best, and maybe the best, New Year's celebrations I've ever been to.
Well, I have things to do now...as soon as my laundry dries, I think I'm heading out to Barra da Lagoa again (btw, about 20 miles from where I am now. A bit of a journey by bus, but worth it).
Happy New Year to all of you. Stay tuned for the next edition.
Sounds like things are going well down there. The pics of the city are cool. Keep posting those. It's neat to get a different perspective on Brazil.
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