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A busy day was Monday (29th)!!!
We had noticed that there was a lot of activity on the fisherman’s pontoon over the weekend –new barrels rolled down and tied under for additional support, fresh paint, the big gazebos were put up over their open patio beside the building and finally bunting going up. Bunting had also gone up down the street in the village and I had asked Cida in the village store about it on Saturday and I could understand that a big procession for Sao Pedro was happening on Monday. Bella, who does the laundry amongst other things, told me on Monday morning that the procession started at 3.00 pm and would come along past the marina to Cabedelo. This seemed to be a very long way for a procession but…........
We had noticed that there was a lot of activity on the fisherman’s pontoon over the weekend –new barrels rolled down and tied under for additional support, fresh paint, the big gazebos were put up over their open patio beside the building and finally bunting going up. Bunting had also gone up down the street in the village and I had asked Cida in the village store about it on Saturday and I could understand that a big procession for Sao Pedro was happening on Monday. Bella, who does the laundry amongst other things, told me on Monday morning that the procession started at 3.00 pm and would come along past the marina to Cabedelo. This seemed to be a very long way for a procession but…........
Around about 2.30 one of the tripper boats tied up to the pontoon and it started to make sense – obviously the procession was by water to Cabedelo! I wandered along to the village to see what was what – there were a great many people and some stalls along the road and lots of hubbub with some music coming from the church. The building and patio next to the fisherman’s association were being decorated with palm tree leaves plaited together to make arches – it looked lovely. I asked at one of the stalls and the girl (well young woman I suppose) confirmed that the procession was going down the pontoon. At that moment it started to rain so I dashed by to the boat for an umbrella – just as well as by 2.50 the heavens had opened and it was tipping it down! I took shelter under the gazebo which slowly got more & more crowded.
Lots of people were going down the pontoon & onto the tripper boat. Sure enough around 3.00PM I could see a procession coming down the road. A float with a model boat filled with flowers was being held aloft and in the boat a statue. This was obviously Sao Pedro and I remembered then that Saint Peter was the patron saint of fishermen. The float was taken down the pontoon and I returned to Moontide in the hope of getting some shelter.
No luck though as the wind was blowing the rain into the cockpit - even with the cover up! I could see from there that the float was actually put on the top deck of a smaller boat alongside the tripper boat. There were a number of other boats gilling around in the water (going backwards & forwards waiting) and eventually they all left obviously to motor down to Cabedelo.
It would have been lovely but for the rain and I felt so sorry that all the preparation could not be enjoyed to its fullest. We saw later on the TV that the boat had had difficulties near Cabedelo but couldn’t tell what but we realised that it had obviously not been too serious.
Later that afternoon (in a break in the rain!) Theresa came round and knocked and asked if we would like to go to the meat restaurant that evening. They had spoken of this place where you could eat as much meat (and other things) as you liked for a fixed price. It was near Bessa about 10km away and they were booking a 6-seater taxi to take us. So at 6.00 we went over to the bar area and met up with Bertie, Theresa and their friends, Vincent & Sue who they had sailed with from South Africa. No six-seater taxi was available and the taxis were not able to get to the marina as all the roads were closed as the festival was carrying on that evening so walked down past Brian’s to the area known as Praia de Jacare. |
It was a great evening and the food was amazing. There were tables full of all sorts of dishes, loads of different salads, vegetables, lasagne-type dishes, sushi, cheese, fruit – you name it, it was there!! You help yourself from these dishes and go back to your table. On the table is a little device that you can move to say yes or no. If yes, the waiters come round with meat on large skewers (rather like in a kebab shop) and carve of a slice or two. If no, they leave you until you change it back to yes. You have a much as you liked and they just kept coming round and round!! Some of the meat was absolutely delicious but some was rather fatty with LOADS of garlic. We had a really good feast and couldn’t manage any of the delicious looking sweets!
Back in the taxi to Jacare where this time the taxis went through the village and dropped us of almost at the end just a hundred metres from the fisherman’s association. By now the party had started and there was music plating and people dancing. Theresa suggested we had a ‘last caipirinha’ for the night and about 2/3 hours later we left!!!! Bertie & Theresa were dancing together and I was jigging a little. Dominico who runs the bar at the moment was there dancing with everyone and suddenly we were all dancing with great encouragement from the local people.
It was smashing – one of the local dignitaries got up into the music lorry and gave a speech. Kevin told us the next day that he could hear it all out at anchor and that apparently, the guy had said how good it was that the yotties who had joined in and thanked us!!!
Hmmm, maybe the caipifinhas and beers we bought helped!!!
The music finally ended about 3.00 am but by then I was back in my bed fast asleep.
As I said a busy Monday!
The next day was very quiet – maybe the whole village was a bit hung over.
Hmmm, maybe the caipifinhas and beers we bought helped!!!
The music finally ended about 3.00 am but by then I was back in my bed fast asleep.
As I said a busy Monday!
The next day was very quiet – maybe the whole village was a bit hung over.
On Wednesday, on our way to the shower, Vincent & Sue approached us as they had decided to leave the next day and needed to get some Brazilian Reals to pay their bill. Luckily they had some English money so we were able to help exchange some for them. We then caught Bertie & Theresa coming back from stocking up and we all agreed to meet back in the bar a bit later as they were off too.
Another great evening ensued with them, Kevin (from the BBQs) and Mark (dad of a Mexican family -Mark, Daniela & 2 children) and crew member (Carol, a young Brazilian) who had just arrived.
So hello to new friends and sadly cheerio to old. But who knows where???
Another great evening ensued with them, Kevin (from the BBQs) and Mark (dad of a Mexican family -Mark, Daniela & 2 children) and crew member (Carol, a young Brazilian) who had just arrived.
So hello to new friends and sadly cheerio to old. But who knows where???
Bringing things right up to date: | A Dutch couple, Lucia and Franz, we had met on the bus trips, had just returned from a trip to the Amazon and as Sunday night was music night in the bar we met up and had something to eat there. We had had a steak there the week before that had been really good and as Dominico had been showing Chris how wonderful his beefburgers were, we decided to try them. Unfortunately they did not quite live up to expectation – he was pretty busy and I think found lots of meals a little stressful! Nevertheless, it another great evening, this time with live music. |
On Tuesday, Lucia came round to invite us for a farewell drink as, sadly they were off the next day. Mark and family, Carol and another ‘new’ couple were there. We took over some nibbles bought from the local baker and again had a thoroughly good time. It was a shame that we had not got to know them earlier as we all got on well; they are on their way to Trinidad (via French Guyana) where they have quite a bit of work to do, so we may catch up with them there – I hope so!
So there we are – right up to date.
I’ll post again next week as then we will be off on our Amazon and Rio trip which will be about 3 weeks in all – by land and air not sea!
I’ll post again next week as then we will be off on our Amazon and Rio trip which will be about 3 weeks in all – by land and air not sea!