Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
January, Still in Jericoacoara
kinda late but posting anyway
Photos on my Facebook page, Patricia Barnhart-lozowski
Well it's a new year, 2011. WOW! Can you beleive it? I am still in Jericoacoara. Many other years I leave Jeri in mid to late December to travel to other places in Brazil. This year I wasn't in the mood to travel alone and I wanted to stay here to kite surf. Normally the wind still blows in January but it is lighter. So I stored my windsurf equipment in late Dec. so I could concentrate on kiting.
The sporting life: The famous Jeri wind has disappointed everyone this season. It has been very light most days in Oct, Nov and Dec. Of course there were a few really great 4.0 days and a couple of 3.4. But mostly I was using a 4.5 sail and a 86L board. Normally I can use a 65L board with the 4.0 85% of the time. BUT the waves have been so much better than normal; more often and bigger. I can crank a 86L board! Luckily, I had access to the bigger board, thanks John. I had a friend bring my 9M kite down and have had my best days with it. Thanks, Tricia. Finally the fun is outweighing the anxiety. And I am seeing that learning curve steepen. I'm riding waves a bit, going switch and even getting a little air, I said a "little". I've made lots of new friends; the kiter crowd. January has proven to follow the seasonal trend. It has been raining sooo much. Yesterday I went SUPing during a downpour. Hey, better than freezing rain in Oregon, I still only wore a bikini and rashie. Ok, so Stand Up Paddling, the first couple of days I went out I could only catch a wave either on my knees or the traditional way, I would always fall off if I tried standing up. Yesterday I finally caught a couple standing up! Really, I had only tried it maybe 5 times before. It is as easy as they say.
Let's see, since the last time I wrote... I stayed at the cool little Pousada Jujuju near the Praia da Malhada (Malhada beach). http://www.jujuju.com.br/ BTW, Marcello, owner is Argentinian so we use the Spanish pronunciation; "Huhuhu" which is like laughing every time you say it. Staying there was fun, there were lots of interesting guests to meet. Handsome kiter guys from Europe, ok handsome windsurf guys, too. We had a few yummy Churrascos (BBQ's) there, too. with Jujuju is on the edge of town, very quiet, no traffic noise, surprisingly no dog , rooster or donkey noises. OK, the neighbors played Bob Marley constantly. ya mon. They have the best view from the rooftop. I'm told it is the highest building spot in Jeri. Thanks Marcello.
They say Jericoacoara hosts around 10,000 people during Revilion (New Year's). Lots of drunken crowds, lots of trash, lots of craziness. So I left during this time so my image of Paradise would remain untarnished and also because not only is it difficult to find a room but the rates often quadruple. For 10 days I went to stay with my friends, Les and Vera and their sweet daughter, Leslie. They live in Baleia a town about half way between here and Fortaleza. It is a small fishing village with only about 5 pousadas and maybe that many restaurants. They have a beautiful beachfront home/ guest house. The kitesurfing there is really great. If you're planning to come to Ceara to kite or windsurf check out the website http://dreamlandinbrazil.com/ Staying there was a welcome retreat of sorts. I had got in some good days on the water, made progress with my kiting, got lots of rest, ate home made meals and truly felt like part of the family. They always make me feel so welcome. Thanks, Les and Vera
January is the beginning of the "high season" because this is when the schools are out for the summer vacation and all the Brazilians are traveling. The weekends are particularly busy but the whole month has been very different than Oct-Dec. The town seems much more full. A few foreigners remain but mostly the place is full of Brazilians from the big cities, Sao Paulo, Rio, etc. They are not out windsurfing and kiting during the day. They love the beach and they love to sit and eat and drink and talk. So almost the whole day the restaurants are full. Now I understand why there are so many pousadas and restautants.
While here, I have been doing some watercolor painting. I am showing my work at a friends restaurant www.naturalmente.com.br. Where you can find the best acai in town, with home made granola. Thanks, Carla, minha musa. Unfortunately, with all this rain, the work isn't up all the time.
I will be going to Rio de Janeiro for a week before heading home to Da Hood. I'm missing all my friends back home, but not the cold weather. What a wonderful life, what a fortunate woman I am. Thank You..... Graça de Deus
