January 27, 2011
A few weeks ago we went on a really fun and beautiful rafting trip down the Paraibuna River. We went with Cia. de Rafting. It’s not the same without DJ as our guide on the American River, but it was beautiful, fun and exciting. And you can’t beat being surrounded by the Mata Atlantica – wow! (Enjoy the pictures taken by Livia from Cia de Rafting.)
January 19, 2011
A little late, but . . .
I hope your 2011 is going wonderfully so far. We’ve been busy bees, as you may suspect from our lack of posts! But it’s important for me to recap our last month, especially to tell you that a New Year’s Eve celebration in Brazil should be on your “to do before I die” list.
New Years in Brazil – Reveillon – is a special event. It’s beautiful and meaningful. We were lucky to have some visitors joining us, which made for an even better night. Lone, Rance and their son and his friend, Johannes and Gabriel, came from Fazenda Alfheim. Emmanuel Cabale’s family was in from Spain. And Michelle and Nigel, our new American friends, came for a few days from São Paulo. It was a full house for dinner with delicious food (including organic piglet from Fazenda Alfheim). After dinner we headed to the beach to celebrate with the village and the many holiday visitors.
Brazilians celebrate by wearing white, to symbolize peace; jump over seven waves, for good luck in the New Year; meaningfully tell you “Feliz ano novo! – Amor, paz, dinheiro, saudade para você”; offer something (usually flowers) to the Sea Goddess, Yemanjá; and then, in true Brazilian style, dance the night away until the morning hours.
