The Last Papaya

 

It is in the Sao Paulo Airport, enroute soon to Atlanta and then San Francisco, that I bid farewell to Brazil. This morning, like every morning here, I had my ritual breakfast that included fresh papaya, a fruit I never eat back home. 

 

I’ll close this adventure with little quirky observations that set Brazil apart a bit from other places. As follow:

 

• Tattoos:  Lots of them! Seems like one out of three people have them and not just little hidden ones, but whole arm and leg-fuls. 

 

• Acai: A unique Brazilian berry that apparently used to be eaten as a savory snack, but now is a sweet ice concoction topped with bananas, peanuts, granola, etc. Yummy! And apparently healthy!

 

• Agogo bells:  A central time-keeper in samba and hilarious that in two workshops I needed one and there were none to be found. I told them that I once taught on the remote island of Stornaway, Scotland and they had a closetful of them! So next time I might just have to bring coals to Newcastle.

 

• Bossa Nova in restaurants:  Another “agogo bell moment” as I sat at dinner telling my friends about the wonderful restaurant in Thailand playing bossa nova as background music (my personal favorite— quiet, evocative, harmonically and melodically beautiful). While I was talking, the restaurant was blaring some bad disco music!

 

• Plastic:  Sorry, Brazil, but way too much and so much unnecessary. Like wrapping each piece of silverware in it in café’s or restaurants. 

 

• Teeth-brushing: It seems common practice that everyone brushes their teeth after lunch. Noticed it in the men’s bathrooms and also in the school yesterday with the kids. It’s a good idea and I’m sure my dentist would approve, but never have done it.

 

• Futvolley ball: Walking the beach in Rio the other night, I watched all these volleyball games where the players never used their hands! Feet, head and shoulders only. Apparently it is quite common, is called the name above and looks like a challenging game! Makes sense in this land of soccer/ futbol. 

 

So those are some tidbits for you armchair travelers. Of course, the most important one I’ve praised often in these posts. The beautiful spirit of these folks, the culture of touch, the music and dance here, there and everywhere. I’m not sure this is the true translation, but a unique Portuguese word is saudade, loosely translated as nostalgic longing and yearning. I believe this is what I will feel when I return to the toxic stew of my home American culture.

Que Viva Brasil!!!!!