From Alberto, April 9, 2000 |
| Good evening. I have arrived at my next family's home
in Natal, Brazil. First last night. I was invited to a party for about 200 people not far from where I was living. These people are all people who come from a town about 8 hours away from Joao Pessoa and they have a party every year - a reunion. This was a more casual affair than the wedding and was at an open air place by the beach. It had rained very hard during the day, so the air was clear. The menu featured whisky, rum and vodka and cerveja. The band had been brought in from Recife which around here is a big deal. And they were a big deal! Really big group - 5 female singers and about 16 male players. Brass, guitars, etc. drummers. Quite a big sound. The music they played was a mix of Beatles in Ptg., boleros, salsa, merengue, and FORRO. This time the people knew what to do with forro. They really got into it. There was also some samba and big lines formed, chains which moved around the room. Just a moment to spell out the current scene. A nice breeze is coming in across the pool. No, perhaps it's raining. Yes, it's starting to pour. I have an incredible african collection CD in the CPU which I'll turn up now if you don't mind. Great. Well, mom and dad are pretty amazing. What a great match. Mom is into spirituality and all sorts of transformative things, like dances of universal peace. They sit out under an awning and hold court. Dad writes about financial issues and is definitely a great guy. we've been talking for hours about art, music, and spirituality. my Ptg. is improving. For lunch we went to a mall and that was a pretty interesting experience. Sort of like our malls but with more kids, more clothes, and definitely one happening place. Then we came back here and well, it's been a long day and we'll probably just sit by the pool and listen to music and talk. They were really interested when I showed them hotbar.com and I've been customizing their computer a little with their permission. Adding favorites to the browser, changing the screen resolution, etc. The party lasted until who knows when. There was this interesting part, where older women, matchmakers, were trying to set up their daughters, friends, etc. with eligible gents. like myself. so, I was set up with this woman and we danced. and I also danced with some members of the crew, Johanna and Georgi were in attendance. eventually, date #1, sorry her name is hard to pronounce, something like Elania, asked if I would like to take a seat on a bench away from things and we did and talked into the night until I realized it was really really late and went home. A fun night. I like dancing and don't ever remember my shirt getting so wet before. Today I had to pack like a madman before saying a quick goodbye to my family - Salvio, Graciella and Alleshandro who were amazing hosts. Their house could take a day or two to write about. Really beautiful. OK, enough from my end things, we've switched to the Afro Brazilian CD and now it's time for a different view of things. I like Natal already, and my hosts are recommending that after my Rotary exchange program I travel to Salvador. So, seems like that's where things are pointing, which is good cause it sounds like an incredible place. Boa noite, Alberto |