Chasing Ideals

Here I am amidst a twenty four hour bus journey contemplating life’s intricacies and a clean pair of shorts. Having a first and hopefully paddy last travel experience. That of attempting to lip-read in a foreign language. The chap ahead of me has decided that volume is an unnecessary element of communication yet desires to impart to me the historical and environmental richness of the passing landscapes and cities. This has been going on now for no short period of time and my appearance of absolute confusion has not deterred his efforts. Even his son has joined in the excitement; only moments ago having pointed to the seat in front of me, spoken something without volume but major lip and eyebrow movement, and proceeded to vigorously nod his head to beg for my agreement. One hardly wishes to disappoint vigorous gesticulation and so I responded with a little of my own slight lip movement and mild nodding so as to please yet avoid profound conversation conducted in such a manner. My patient understanding of his father supposedly making me an expert in the art of reading foreign lips.

Why one might ask is twenty four hours of seat soiling a necessity? Interestingly enough in Brazil it is hardly a great feat in terms of patience and the prolonged consumption of organic (moss flavored, textured, and taste filled) energy bars. I learned yesterday that Brazil is larger than the continental United States (meaning minus Alaska and Hawaii) so excessive bus journeying is one element of normality. This particular bowel basher involves my exit from the land of Bahia, specifically Vitória da Conquista, and return to São Paulo for final days before departure.

So tell all about week three huh. Apparently the slew of known female individuals in Vitória da Conquista had been informed that I was a hug lover and therefore in desperate need. There was hardly a moment of departure or introduction not consummated with a tightly given squeeze. Sadly the bestower/recipient of said hugs was typically of the 60+, minimum 35+, variety. Those with a bit more life left in ‘em had allegedly taken for the hills at word of my arrival. This should not be misinterpreted to mean that I am not the aforementioned hug lover but noted that in moments such as this a young lad can begin to feel like a well used hanky in flu season. This squeeze dynamic is however a good indication of the type of week I had. A family week, a food week, a true week of Brazilian culture.

It was the type of tranquil city where one often stumbles upon the weekly family reunion (meaning up to twenty cousins and their predecessors) at Grandma’s house. It was my week with Warlens and Marilia (more friends from those first days in Poland) but more than that a week to be invited into the hearts of their families. Small city meant that their families had more time and it meant that I was treated to some of the best food this nation has on offer in the midst of greater understanding of the family culture. I learned, out of necessity, many words in Portuguese very quickly in order to express what little I could to those many family members who wished to know me. I went to lunches, to birthday parties for toddlers, to small shopping centers with name “Big Shopping”, to a preschool to help out with the mother’s day festivities, and to many a distant relative for cursory hugs, smiles, and nods. It was wonderful to meet with families that have managed to stay so well connected. Also that now Warlens and Marilia’s English has improved so that we could share so much of what has happened in our lives in these last two years. To be an encouragement for them and also to be encouraged by their care for me in my week there.

Well, the enjoyment continues. What a gift to have been able to explore a few of the regions of this place. Take a look at the new album of pictures that I put on Lovable Quirks. Pictures of the kids from the preschool in the early part, in the middle pictures with Warlens and Marilia and their families, and in the end a few from the long bus ride back to Sao Paulo. If you haven´t already do not forget to read the post below about Phoenix. Also I would love to receive comments if there are any to be given. A writer loves feedback, at least for this one that will never change.