I arrived well, never had such a tranquil flight and conections like this time and everything went very smoothly. I was received at the airport with flowers and amazing people, am a guest of wonderful family, have a caring boss and (bonus) have adopted the family dog, Bingo!
It's
been obvious that I've spent the last months saying goodbyes to everybody and
everywhere. There are two reasons, though (besides the recommendation that is
important to really "leave behind your homeland", as I've previously
pointed out HERE). Firstly, the two other times I was abroad, I left many
things unresolved in Brazil. These pendencies were prejudicial to me and I wanted this time to have
nothing taking me back. Secondly, and this is a consequence of the first wish,
I wanted to finish a cycle in my life. It may be that I’m close the thirties
and have this feeling of new phase in life. It felt right and I really think it
was the best choice I made.
Thus,
for the last time, some highlights of the last goodbyes in the last weeks:
·At
the big Goodbye party, I’ve got two little plants. I found this highly
interesting, because they were very beautiful but the ones who gave it to me,
didn’t mind that I would enjoy them for just two weeks, since I can’t take any
vase of flowers with me. They were tokens of friendship that I really
appreciated (and thanks to dad, they are in good hands!);
·We
went to a last football match. I support Atlético Mineiro and we won the match,
but it wasn’t the best one… I liked to spend some nice time with cousins,
brother and his girlfriend and to have some spare time amidst all the craziness
of arranging things;
·One
week later, mom did a family lunch to fifty people, which were family plus
close relatives. Even grandpa (!) was there, which made it one of the most
important moments;
·I
went to granny to bake “Five Plates Biscuits”, which are a traditional delicatessen from Minas
Gerais. Yummie plus GREAT TIME with a GREAT WOMAN;
·We
had another small Goodbye party – which was very nice. As in all parties, we
took photos, smiled, hugged, kissed, laughed and I’m truly full of gratitude
for all amazing friends and relatives that I have;
·I
went with my parents and siblings to dine out – delicious fish and chips… on
the Brazilian fashion, though.;
·Phoned,
talked, e-mailed, texted lots of friends – but couldn’t reach a half of all
those I wanted to talk to;
·Had
a last bowl of acai-berries cream, a last “pastel com caldo de cana” (a
Brazilian pie with sugar-cane juice) with my brother, a last “pão-de-queijo com
cafézinho” (traditional cheese scones from Minas Gerais with coffee on the
Brazilian fashion) wit mom;
·Mom
took two days off work to be with me. Nothing could crown it better than this.
Without her help, I wouldn’t be able to take off.
Well,
you see that I really tried to concentrate on people (and food, but the latter
was unintentionally – it came with meeting people).
Too big
a post, I will write more next about future plans and great expectations! =)
If there is something my parents did teach his children is that Easter doesn't have anything to do with the business or the consumption of chocolate. In Brazil, we don't have many traditions to celebrate this date, so they didn't replace anything to the sole tradition spread in this country, which is to pay 120 reais (about 60 USD) per kilo of chocolate in the shape of chocolate eggs - a price that you wouldn't pay for any food.
Therefore, with the true meaning of Easter in mind and maturity already there, I made up my mind to look after the traditions which enrich the life's rituals, like the special occasions.
I could write a huge post about all the traditions I've learnt, but I want to talk about those traditions related to food (although the religious celebrations in community are the most important kind of traditions). And I'm talking neither about chocolate, nor about codfish.
Since I didn't find out about any Brazilian gastronomic traditions (if they do exist), let's have the foreign ones. One of them is the Simmel Cake, a rich English cake of dried fruit covered and filled with marzipan. You can find more about the story behind the cake HERE.
Because there is no marzipan to buy in my city and I don't venture to make my own marzipan, I cover my cake with dark chocolate ganache and put eleven "chocolate" eggs (well, no one would honestly call these terrible low quality thing chocolate, but the producer, and maybe not even them). This is a photo of my Simmel Cake:
Please, take into consideration that this is not a gastronomic blog with professional photos. ;-)
I have true original English recipe - I didn't pick one from the internet. =P It's good that I only eat this cake once a year. [smile]
Of course, end this post listening to the great J.S. Bach to celebrate this day to the most!!!!
Yesterday was the Big Farewell Day. It was simply FABULOUS to meet more than one hundred people and to feel sooo cared and loved by so many. =)
Put your name here if you were there: thank you very very much!!!!!!
If you weren't I don't think I can describe it properly. I was actually out of my rotation line, if it really exists. But it has been one of the most beautiful times in my life. Family, friends, relatives and community friends - even former workmates!
A big thanks goes to Geraldo who organized everything, to Edith & Abilio who played, to Luis for the moving letter, to Tércia for the genial gift, to everybody who wrote messages, who contributed somehow, to the parents who took their lovely children (Ernesto, Gabriel and Mateus), for everybody who took pics (don't forget to send me them), who came to hug me etc. I love hugs.
Well, you see this doesn't give much of a picture, I know. Sorry. Last thing I can tell is that I am now pretty much concious that I am indeed going in just a few days. 12 to be more exactly. =)
