Florida Looked Like Southern Brasil Yesterday

As many of  you know, I have relocated to Florida after spending a couple of years in Brasil back in 2006-2008...I miss Brasil. When it rains here, I sometimes think I am back in Brasil.

Being situated in the middle of the Mata-Atlantica Rain Forest, the towns I lived in in the state of Santa Catarina were very wet. When it rained, it poured, but surprisingly, there was very little lightening.

Here, in Central Florida, I live in one of the lightening capitals of the world and yesterday's storms lent credibility to that claim. The winds kicked up, the skies got ominously dark, and the heavens opened up. God roared, and we all kept a safe distance.

Being the risk-taker in the family though, I couldn't resist taking a few photographs and even a video of the action at the height of one of the storms. If this were a sunny day, the sun would have still been out, but it got so dark, it looked like it was 9 or 10 o'clock at night.

We survived--didn't even get any hail--but it was spectacular. While I wished I was back in Brasil, I was happy to be in the middle of one of the most awesome storms I can remember in a very long time.

Thank you Mother Nature. You put on a show no matter where I am, just when I need it the most.

The Tempest rages
Light'ning crashes all around
Behold the fury...


Tchau,

Patti

Santa Catarina in Southern Brasil is One Huge Garden

In honor of the upcoming World Cup in Brasil, I thought I'd get going on some new articles for my Southern Brasil blog. Tomorrow, I may tell you about my one and only soccer story, but for today, I thought I'd start by telling you about all the wonderful gardens of Brasil and my first encounters with the outdoors of this wonderful country.

On my very first trip to the state of Santa Catarina, we flew into the city of Curitiba, one of the host cities of the 2014 World Cup soccer matches. One of the first things that struck me about Curitiba was the enormity of the city. There were two separate cities it seemed, both with tall skyscrapers. We were scheduled to stay in the Batel District. The view of the city makes you believe you are in any top city in the world. 

My husband's father, brother, sister, and others met us at our hotel, The Blue Tree Towers, in the Batel District of the city. This is the financial hub of the city, the business district; therefore, houses some of the toniest neighborhoods. I checked a few years ago and the Blue Tree is no longer the name of the hotel, but the actual hotel still stands under another name and is still a 4-star hotel.

At the time we traveled, the dollar was 3-1, so you can imagine how lucky we felt to be able to afford a 4-star hotel for a third or less of the normal cost of fabulous accommodations. The dollar now stands at around 2.3, so it is still an amazing bargain to visit Brasil at this time.

From our hotel window, I could look up and down the main street and what struck me was the cleanliness and the beauty. The tree-lined streets looked like somewhere right out of a movie set. Also, if you are an architecture buff like me, then this is the place to be. This futuristic-looking city is not to be missed.

We were lucky enough to get a room that overlooked the Japanese gardens.

This is a small urban park complete with a Japanese-style structure, several ponds with little bridges over tiny waterfalls, and plenty of cherry blossom trees. It is a lovely place to go and contemplate life or just soak in the sounds of the city without being so close they annoy.

That evening, the others met us at the hotel, and after a good night's rest, we all set off for Jardim Botanico de Curitiba, or the Botanical Gardens of Curitiba. What an enormous and magical place. First, you walk the grounds outside, fashioned after a French garden, where you will find abundant jogging or walking paths, and flowers galore (in season). Ahead on the main path is the fantastic crystal greenhouse where, inside, you will find plants from all over. This is a must-see in Curitiba. All you have to do is say garden or jardim in Portuguese, and the tour guides will know exactly where you want to go.

After a lovely train ride the next day through the Mata Atlantica or Atlantic Forest and mountains (see my story on the Serra Verde Express), we spent one more magical night in Curitiba, had dinner at a small Italian Restaurant where each entree we ordered could have easily fed 4 people apiece. Needless to say, there were many leftovers. The mood was relaxed, the wine was excellent, and the company was genuine and real. It felt like a family gathering with the proprietors of the business sitting down beside our table and joining in the conversation.

The next morning, we traveled to the city of Joinville, where my husband was born. We stayed at the Anthurium Parque Hotel in downtown Joinville. Joinville is a very busy, very loud city, but when you enter the Anthurium Parque grounds, all the noises of the city seem to melt away and you feel as if you are in a Portuguese seaside resort, sans ocean. The grounds are impeccably kept and the rooms, while not on the par of a 4-star hotel, are quaint, and well worth the cost of a night's stay. Right outside our window was a walkway that led out to an open garden, complete with a trained Macaw on his perch to greet visitors on their way to the hotel restaurant to enjoy café da manhã, or breakfast.

I will stop here. Not because there are not more gardens. To the contrary. There are more gardens and beautiful open spaces in Santa Catarina than I could ever name. However, to truly experience what I am talking about, you really must see the place for yourself.

Oh, did I mention the quaint cabins at Hotel Turek Gartens? Where you have your own half of a cabin (first floor or second) that overlooks the compound's gardens, swimming pool, and fully stocked lake? Where they grow their own produce and serve it up at meals made from scratch in their kitchen? Here is a peek, but I warn you, it may have you calling your travel agent or contacting me for more information on how you can visit this enchanting part of Brasil.

'Til next, tchau!

Already Planning My Next Trip to Brasil in February

Most Brasilians will tell you that the red tape in their country is the worst in the world. I’ve witnessed that bureaucracy first hand and let me tell you, they are pretty much on the money. However, with that said, there is one process I have to go through every two years that I actually don’t mind at all…traveling back into the country to renew my permanent resident Visa. To others, this may be a bother, but to me, it is a very good excuse to save my pennies and go back at least every two years to visit friends, family, and some of the places I love.

Whenever it starts getting close to traveling time, I find myself taking a walk down memory lane and deciding before I get there what places I simply must re-visit. There are so many, and my husband and I usually only have ten days to fit them all in between all the parties everyone will give to welcome us back. So here is my short list, time permitting:

Taking a drive in one of the prettiest rural areas in the valley, Estrada Bonita. Here is where we stayed in a cabin at the Pousada Vale Verde on my very first trip to see my husband’s wonderful hometown, Joinville, in the State of Santa Catarina. I remember getting to the cabin around dusk and looking around before settling on the bed to take it all in when the bed totally collapsed beneath me. There were no other cabins and only bunk beds in the other bedroom. I remember how sorry the caretaker and her husband were for our problems and they stayed for over an hour replacing the bed with one more stable, and instead of getting angry or anxious, we all just laughed through the whole ordeal. That’s Brasil.

In the morning, we woke up and we met the owner, Angela. She spoke just enough English to make my stay there more enjoyable. We had breakfast outdoors under a chickee hut overlooking the hills and a beautiful pond. There was bread and meats and cheeses and jams and spreads and real butter and guava, mango, watermelon and grape juices, and coffee and tea, and of course cakes and pastries. The whole experience has left such an impression on me that I can still go back there in my mind when I’m having a rough day. It was one of dozens of like experiences I had that first trip and subsequent trips to Brasil.

The City of Curitiba is one of the coolest cities I’ve ever been to. I’ve stayed at 5* hotels (when the dollar exchange rate was 3:1) and lesser hotels when it was not. I can honestly say that staying in a 3 or 4* hotel in Curitiba is also nice. What impressed me first and does to this day is the way everyone who deals with the public, especially as far as tourism goes, is extremely polite, helpful, and dresses and grooms themselves impeccably. For instance, it is common to see hotel employees wear uniforms, but in addition to that, the women all pull their long, dark hair back into a bun. The look is stunning and it shows how small details are so important to the Brasilians. And it is rare to see someone not smiling or giving a little dance or going out of their way to be helpful even if they can’t speak my language. I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life anywhere.

Oh, and I can’t forget the architecture in Curitiba. Some of the most fantastic buildings I’ve ever seen, from historical to contemporary. If you are an architecture buff, this is definitely a must-see city on your list.

A drive up the mountains to see my husband’s family. That is the most favorite thing to do. There are two main roads up the mountain, one via Corupa and one via Serra Dona Francisca. The drive via Corupa is quite beautiful and it is one that allows you to look down over the valley in all its splendor at some of the most daring landscapes I’ve seen. My favorite view is that of the tres Marias mountain peaks. I always know I’m about halfway home when I see those mountains.

Driving up Serra Dona Francisca is a bit hairy, especially due to slow trucks and fast motorcycles. I drove a portion of it once and decided I’ll just sit back from now on and take in the view, which, by the way is breathtaking. One of my favorite memories is going ‘up the mountain’ in late afternoon and noticing the intricate patterns the pinao (pine) trees make on the rolling meadows in Happy Field (Campo Allegre). And the hydrangeas are everywhere. Yes, I’ll say it again…breathtaking.

But the thing I look most forward to when traveling to Brasil, besides seeing the people I love and meeting new friends, is the food. Oh my gosh, do those people know how to cook. The Brasilian churrasco (grilled meat) is amazing, as is the pizza. They have a style of serving in the restaurants called rodoviaria. Usually, you get a buffet of salads and then waiters bring entrees around to your table. For churrascaria, it is meat, meat and more meat--steaks, roasts, sausages, chicken, duck, ham, etc. on long spears that they cut and serve right at your table. All you can eat for a ridiculously low price (generally $4 US lunch/$10 tops US dinner).

For pizza it is the same concept, with added pasta dishes and sometimes steak and the ever popular fritas (French fries). I know, it’s kind of funny, but Brasilians love French fries. On the pizzas, I’ve seen every topping imaginable and some I could not have dreamed up if I tried, such as corn, mussels, tuna, beef stroganoff, even ice cream! My favorites are white and dark chocolate with strawberries and banana nevada (banana topped with meringue).

If I continued to list all my favorite places to go in Brasil, it would fill up ten Blogs, so I’ll stop here. Suffice it to say, I can’t wait until they require that I go back and get that Visa stamp. Poor, poor me.

Anyone who wants to learn more about wonderful Southern Brasil, or are even thinking it’s time to take your own trip down there, let me know. I can help you plan one of the most unique and amazing vacations of your life.

Til then,

Tchau

If I Close My Eyes and Listen to the Birds Outside…

In my mind I’m back in the beautiful country of Brasil, high on a hillside, sitting at our little party area, having a beer and just realizing that dreams can come true. Every special moment in my life has not gone unnoticed.

When we finished building our pool and churrascaria, I remember sitting there one day, sunlight sparkling on the pond, watching the carp jump around in the water…I looked around and gave thanks for just how lucky I was at that moment. The day was remarkable, not a cloud in the sky, which was also perfect…a robin’s egg blue. The view was to die for, and the pool, while it was still too chilly to swim, was inviting me to dip my toe in and make use of it.

Later that day, we grilled steaks and we chatted about life, what we were going to do next and I remember being just about as happy as a person could get. Sure, it was about what we’d built, but more importantly, it was about doing it together. It was a common goal that we’d attained.

We didn’t stay there long, unfortunately, because jobs are hard to come by in Brasil and even harder to come by when all you’re doing is sitting up on top of a hill enjoying nature. So, it was back to reality we went, but not before I snapped one or two photos to share with friends.

Até a próxima vez (till next time)

Had a Wonderful Trip to Southern Brasil

Being a permanent resident of Brasil is nice. There’s something about pulling out your Receita Federal I.D. Card and showing it to anyone who asks that makes you feel even more a part of the whole Brasilian living experience. However, the visa is another matter. To keep it current, if you are not presently residing in Brasil, you must travel back to Brasil at least every other year. But I’m not complaining. If it weren’t for this little bit of bureaucratic red tape, I might not get to see my friends and family there so often.

And so it was with the latest trip back just this month. The trip was enjoyable, even though my husband and I both suffered with terrible colds. We saw our friends, we spent quality time with family and we finally got around to seeing Iguacu Falls.  Attached are a few photos for you to see the splendor that we were fortunate enough to witness first hand

I have offered many times to take friends and family to Southern Brasil to see for themselves what a wonderful place it is, to experience the warmth and friendliness of the people. I know money is tight for many and it is a bit of a hassle arranging for a visa, etc., but honestly, if you save your pennies and you really have a desire to go to Brasil, then it is within your reach.

I’m not saying this because I’m prejudiced, although I truly am, but I know firsthand how close death can be, and I now live my life not worrying how I can afford something, but knowing that if I want something bad enough, the money has a way of just showing up. And a trip to Brasil I know is on many a friends’ wish list. Just say the word, folks, and we’ll find a way together to let you experience what I will never be able to get enough of.

Till Next Time,

Tchau!

It's Oktoberfest Time Again in Blumenau

Be sure to click on pic for video

Yes, it is that time of year again in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Oktoberfest. And every year it gets bigger and bigger.

Blumenau is nestled in the Itajai Valley and is a perfect place to party for the better part of two weeks. Beer flows freely (literally) and everyone has a smile on their face.

There are several pavilions with all kinds of music, but the Oom pah pah kind is the best. Polka, polka, polka.

Although I’ve never visited Blumenau during the Oktoberfest, I have been there numerous other times and it is a great city next to the Itajai River, nestled between the mountains.

If you are ever in southern Brazil, Blumenau should definitely be on your list of places to see.

In Blumenau, all year round, alles gut, alles blau (everything good and everything blue).

Rain in Southern Brasil

http://www.southernbrasil.blogspot.com/

When I first decided I wanted to move to Southern Brasil, I was assured that it didn't rain that much down there. I'm not pointing any fingers, but that information proved to be wrong. Quite wrong. But it's my own fault really. I must have been asleep in geography class the day we were discussing the attributes of a rain forest. "Rain" being the operative word. Southern Brasil is smack dab in the middle of that country's second largest rain forest, The Mata Atlantica, or Atlantic Forest.

I got to thinking about it I guess because where I'm living now, in central Texas, we celebrate a rainy day. Everything is so dry. But with the dry comes more sunshine and that suits me just fine.

Anyway, just wanted to point that out to you. Southern Brasil rainy, very rainy. Texas dry. That's all I got.

Til Later, Tchau!

Frutos do Mar (Fruits of the Sea)

Fish Stew, Fish Market, and Fishing Boats

Remember to click on the link below and

then the title for the video du jour

http://www.southernbrasil.blogspot.com/

One of the most obvious advantages of living a block from the ocean, was the abundance of fresh fish and seafood. It was a treat to drive down to the place where the fishing boats came ashore early in the morning. As they offered up their bounty to whomever got there first, we’d walk from boat to boat, hoping to get the best of the catch. And near each boat were woman, skilled in the art of filleting those fish, offering up their services for less than it takes to do it yourself almost. You just gave them the fish you wanted them to skin, or scale, and gave them their instructions—keep the head, no, give me the heads too, I’ll make soup, most people told them. Brasilians don’t waste any part of anything they eat, especially fish. The only thing they throw away are the bones. Everything else is edible, including the tail sometimes. Makes a great soup starter. The most famous fish stew served in restaurants in Brasil is called Moqueca. Most restaurants in the tourist towns along the Southern coast will serve moqueca on the weekends and Brasilians will save their appetites just for that stew.

The waters off the coast in many of the southern towns are treacherous and fishermen literally take their lives into their hands when going on their daily fishing runs. You’ll see them battling and cursing the very same waves that the surfers in the area worship. When they get through the surf on their way back into shore, locals on the beach are ready with large tree trunks to position under the hulls of the boats, and a rope is attached to the bow. Then the boats are pulled in by pulley or by hand, depending on the equipment handy, and beached on the shore with their bellies sometimes full of the catch of the day. Restaurant owners are always there first. They can buy a fish for a real or two, and sell it in their restaurant for ten or fifteen reais.

At any rate, fish is the big draw when you live on the beach. You get frequent visits from friends and families, not so much because they want to see you, but because you are closest to the food they love.

Tchau
(By the way, my husband has brought to my attention a glaring mistake in my previous blogs. I was spelling goodbye the Italian or European way, not the Brasilian way. This has been corrected and no long will I type Ciao in my blogs—thank you Charles for actually reading them!)