Monday, January 25, 2010
the big 79, part IV: the presents • os presentes
the big 79
As she turns 79 years-old, my granmother would not have it any other way. The most logical things to do in such an occasion is certainly to have a party for 150 people. That's how she rolls. The small town of Viçosa do Ceará showed came in full force. Besides the Mapurunga family, there were the town priest, the mayor, the past mayor (of a different political party - it is remarkable they would be seen in the same place), and so many other people I lost track.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
my grandmother's house • a casa de minha avó
Only once a year or so do I have the pleasure to being in the company of my family. While some people may dred hanging with their own folk, I surely take great joy in it, especially being in the company of my grandmother, the matriarch of our large large large Mapurunga family. Dona Ritinha, my grandmother, had eighteen brothers and sisters. Her mother is 102 years old.
Dona Ritinha lives in Viçosa do Ceará, what I consider to be my birth grounds because she raised me when I was still a baby. Her home is a sanctuary to me and to so many others to whom she has been opening her doors for the past 40 years. You see, her home is a well-known pousada, that is, a quaint, no frills, bed and breakfast in the mountains of Ibiapaba, about five hours from the capital Fortaleza.
Lucky are the ones who have the chance to meet her and stay at her home, the Sayonara Hotel, of all names. I have asked her many times throughout my life what this name means, and she still doesn't know. I think it should be left like that.
Dona Ritinha lives in Viçosa do Ceará, what I consider to be my birth grounds because she raised me when I was still a baby. Her home is a sanctuary to me and to so many others to whom she has been opening her doors for the past 40 years. You see, her home is a well-known pousada, that is, a quaint, no frills, bed and breakfast in the mountains of Ibiapaba, about five hours from the capital Fortaleza.
Lucky are the ones who have the chance to meet her and stay at her home, the Sayonara Hotel, of all names. I have asked her many times throughout my life what this name means, and she still doesn't know. I think it should be left like that.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ceará, inland and coast • Ceará, interior e costa
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí • Brasil
The Delta do Parnaíba is the only delta in the Americas to flow into open ocean waters. It is more then 1.500 km long and encompasses 70 fluvial islands. The ecosystem is very fragile and highly succeptible to the presence of humans. The government of the (very poor) state of Piauí has spent millions to boost tourism in the area, which increasingly threat animal and plant life.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Piauí, Brasil
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