Final Post of Brazil Trip 2008 (Dec. 28)

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to finish this. Maybe it's because when it is done, I have to let go of it. Not let go of it in the sense that I can't think about it anymore, but in the sense that it is all shared now, and no longer just our experience - like giving up ownership. Or like reading a really good book and enjoying it so much that you want everyone you know to read it, and then being disappointed when they don't like it in the same way that you did. And that somehow diminishes it, in your own eyes. I know that is just a perception, but there it is.

Our last day in Guarajá, and incidentally, Brazil, was spent doing some last minute shopping, having yet another scrumptious cookout, and protracted good-byes to those who were staying at the Beach House while we headed back to São Paulo. Nicola, Neusa and Debora took one car, while Josh, Dan, Thomas and I rode in the other. This was nearly a disastrous decision! We hadn't gotten too far out of Guarajá, when traffic was diverted off the main road, down the ramp, only to be directed back up the on ramp. This little diversion was for the sole purpose of slowing traffic down so that the Military Police could randomly stop cars, and check documents. Guess who got stopped?? We were following Nicola's car, which was waved on through, but Josh was directed to pull over to be questioned. Luckily, Debora saw what had happened and Nicola pulled over, about 1/10th of a mile down the road(around a curve, with a guard rail and BUSY traffic!). The pistol-packing policeman indicated that Josh was to roll down his window, and he proceeded to request registration information. All of the sudden, Josh's Portuguese took a dive, and he started sweating bullets. [we found out afterwards, that he played a bit dumb, language-wise, to keep from getting into too much trouble - there we were, three obvious gringoes with a baby who has big dark eyes] While the officer was looking through the papers, we looked up to see Debora picking her way through the brush on the far side of the guardrail. Josh indicated that she was his wife, and the officer went over to speak to her, anxious that she not try to cross traffic (suicidal, at best). While they were talking, we looked over and saw Nicola gimping back towards us (he has bad knees) on our side of the road. I don't think he ever made it completely over to us, as the officer seemed to be satisfied with whatever Debora told him. We were finally given the go-ahead to leave and we pulled out slowly to give their car the chance to catch up with, and pass us. Back at the apartment, we found out that Nicola was very thankful that we had been the ones to be stopped, as he didn't have the proper documentation with him in his car! That was quite enough excitement for all of us!

As the pictures show, the drive from Guarajá to São Paulo was breath-taking, and also took our breath away. When we had taken that trip in 2005, it was night-time, both directions, as it was when we went there on December 23, 2008. We really had NO idea of the beauty (and treachery) of the drive until we saw it in daylight! It was awe-some!

After stopping up at Nicola and Neusa's apartment to pack up our bags (some stuff had been left there when we went to the beach), we went out for our last meal together, and of course it had to be a Churrascaria! The food was fine, but I think we all were suffering from the up-coming 'saudade' of parting at the airport in a couple of hours. We arrived in plenty of time to sit and visit some more, and then the final good-byes and hugs. As we stepped through security we looked back to see tears streaming down the faces of Debora and her mother, and all of them waving at us until we were out of sight. I think that is where I will leave you, as the flight home was anti-climatic, and for the most part, uneventful. Connie picked us up at the airport in Appleton, and we were home in time to do chores that evening. Read: back to reality.

REFLECTIONS:

We had a simply marvelous time with Debora's family and the kids in Brazil! "Our" Brazil is a beautiful place, with warm, friendly people and gorgeous scenery. That is the Brazil that the Costa's presented to us, and the one we hold near and dear to our hearts. Are there things in Brazil that are not so beautiful and people who are not friendly? Of course! But Nicola and Neusa were determined that we see only the beautiful and they succeeded, for the most part. There are areas of great poverty: small children begging near the busy (and dangerous) intersections - some outright, some offering a service (cleaning your windows, selling you something to eat/drink) or just entertaining you (we saw some fairly young boys who were very good at juggling!); entire families 'living' in the meridian between the busy lanes -makeshift tents and broken furniture. Not unlike what we have see in southern Texas or the streets of New York.

But it is that warmth that we will carry away with us, both of the people and of the climate. Will we go back? In a heartbeat, if we have the opportunity! But I think we need to have them here as our guests before that happens again. When they came for Josh and Debora's wedding at Lake Tahoe, they only visited California and a bit of Nevada. We would like to share our 'neck of the woods' with them, as well.

And last, but certainly not least, a heart-felt thank you to Josh and Debora for making this trip a reality for us! We were so happy to be able to witness Thomas' baptism and be there for his first birthday celebration, as well. We love you all and miss you more than we can say!