Wordless Wednesday

If you know me you know what and where.

Brazilian adventure

About seven years ago we had an exchange student, Vanessa, from the north east part of Brazil. We grew to love her like the daughter we never had. After she returned home we continued to keep in touch and she issues frequent invites to come visit. When her college graduation was at hand she invited us again, how could we say no. So we put on our traveling shoes, boarded the plane and off we went for our adventure.

Because she was so involved with her graduation activities, she was on the committee, she had her Aunt Rose and cousin Cris meet us at the airport and entertain us for the day. They took us around their home town of Recife, which included trying out the various fruit juices we had never tried before. Some we liked, some tasted odd, but it was all part of the adventure.The hubby, Cris and Rose

One thing we learned is that we don't know how to party. The final party began at 11pm and went to 5am, followed by breakfast. We didn't make it that long. Everyone was required to put on their finest clothes, then once there they added hats and party favors that flashed and made noise. Brazilians like their music and the louder the better. The hours were spent talking, dancing, drinking (we stuck to coconut water and guarana), and laughing. The old folks, that included us, called it a night about 3am. It was certainly interesting, even if it did take a couple of hours to get the normal hearing back. Grandma and Vanessa
Pictures can't begin to do the trip justice. It was beautiful, educational, and fun. Vanessa and her family were wonderful hosts. They showed us all the finer points of living there, from the food, to the beaches, to the people, to the casual lifestyle. I think I could get use to the laid-back world. We grew to love her family and her country as much as we loved her.

Just outside of Joao Pessoa is the most eastern point of the American continents. Never dreamed I would be standing there.

Besides many fruits I had never heard of they also had a lot of Cashews. They were like apple tree here. Even the poorest family might have one. It wasn't unusual to see along the sides of the road a small fire burning with a a tiny sign advertising fresh cashews. We ate a lot of them and even brought some home, burnt marks and all.
Cashew fruit is juiced and drank (tastes like sweaty soaks) and the nut which hangs from the blossom end is burnt to release the poison.

Just outside of Natal they have the world's largest Cashew tree. Takes up a whole city block.

We went Beach Hopping several times. You climb into a beach buggy and hang on for dear life. Seat belts are suggested but they leave a lot to be desired. We beach hopped around Joao Pessoa and Natal. They have a lot of beaches.
Pippa Beach
Their idea of public bathrooms/restrooms/toilets is certainly interesting. Because this area of, Brazil is so warm and on the beaches, most public places have just as you enter a sink that both men and women use. Somewhere close to that is a separate toilets. Actually it made sense. You could wash up as you went into eat, and then also when you used the facilities.
The country side was lush with coconut trees, flowers, sugar cane and shrimp ponds. Every thing grew bigger and greener. We were often amazed at the amount of plants that we attempt to grow inside here, that were growing wild there, and so much bigger.

The walkway at our Posada in Pippa.

Sugar Cane field, when they start to tassel out they are almost ready to harvest.

We also learned and enjoyed the fact that no matter where you go in the world, the LDS Church is there and despite the language barrier we felt right at home. The same pictures on the wall, the same hymn books, the same general layout of the building. The only difference beside being in Portuguese was they really love to sing. It was so uplifting. We also took time to attend a session in the Recife Temple.

You can't spend much time in Joao Pessoa and not catch the sunset on the river.

At the particular restaurant that we enjoyed the event, had a musician who wound around through the tables playing "Bolero" on his Sax. Then at exactly 5pm as the sun made it's final peek over the horizon, the whole city (radio and TV Stations, bars, etc.) plays "Ava Maria"

The effect is almost haunting, a time to reflect on ones friends and family.

In every neighborhood and on many street corners was a small bar that offered, besides alcohol fresh coconut water. They would have a cooler full of immature coconuts from which they would pluck one, cut off one end to give it a flat surface to sit on and the other end they would cut down far enough to poke a straw in. Coconut water is an acquired taste. Maybe if we had stayed longer we would have learned to really like. As is was, we drank it only when we were tired of pop or regular water wasn't available.

Attempting to enjoy Coconut Water

Out flight home was a blog of it's self, filled with delayed flights, missed flights, canceled flights, flights that changed direction mid air, changed flight plans, spending two days in Rio trying to get a flight home, and spending a night in Miami waiting for a flight with no luggage.

The Magic Red Carpet that brought us finally back to the USA.

Came home saying it was a great trip, but doubted we'd ever go back. Just received word that Vanessa is getting married, hmmmmm. May have to rethink that one.

Just a sample

I love to photograph flowers and am always striving for that blue ribbon picture of the perfect flower in my yard. Most years they are so beautiful it's hard to take just one, so I usually take around a thousand. These are some of the flowers that grow in my yard. I can't take responsibility for how they look. I just plant them and then let God decide how they will grow.2009 Tulips

This year they were beautiful but only lasted a day or two because of all the wind we had.
2009
Johnny-Jump-ups, so prolific, almost a weed

Against the sand stone we got in Southern Utah

2008 Poppies

I love poppies, they flutter so gently in the morning breeze. It's always fun to see what colors will come back and where. This is a unique shade of dusty pink.

One side of the yard. A picture doesn't do it justice.

This doesn't grow in my yard, I live to far north, but it is an amazing flower.

Night Blooming Ceres

It blooms one night a year, and only at night. About 8 o'clock you can see the buds begin to open and it's a miracle in motion. it reaches it's peak about midnight and immediately begins to wilt. The smell is unbelievable, so fragrant. It permeates the whole house.

I love to watch it.

In another corner of the yard can be found Sweet William in various colors, Canterbury bells, wild strawberry and lavender

Another favorite is lilies. I have many colors but I think this is possible my favorite color.

Poppies in the morning after the sprinklers have just run.

Canterbury Bells and Daisies

Poppies of every color grown where ever they want.

Of course every one needs an iris or two. I have hundreds, they grow and spread beyond belief.

Out front we have a Rose Tree of China. On a good year it's blooms are beyond beautiful, so delicate and lacy. Sadly this year the wind played havoc with it and didn't get many blossoms.

Thus this picture is from last year.

Thanks for taking a walk through my yard. Check back for more pictures.