Casa de Barro and nearby scenary.

In a magestic valley far far away lives a simple and good people who live off the land and work hard to survive. To outsiders their life is romantic and fascinating and touring this incredible area to see the lovely landscapes complete with magnificant mountains, sweeping skies, wild waters, friendly folks and beautiful beasts brings pleasure to visitors. If you want to come remember that the only thing you should take with you is the memories.The approach to Robin and Binka's house called "Casa de Barro" which in English means House of Mud/Clay.
This picture was taken in early August when it had only rained once in the previous two months and thus you see a lot of dry and barren ground and wilting plants.
Once you come though the main entrance you are between the library/living room with high arching ceilings.
Facing the library/livingroom with my back to the kitchen and door to my right I took this picture. You can see the "Portuguese" tile around the arch of the ceiling and running up the left side.
A view into the kitchen from the courtyard.The courtyard which is surrounding on four sides by the house.
This door might look short but in fact it is probably 10 feet at its highest point.

Starting to feel more like a castle now?

Who wouldn't want to have this view out the living room of their house?
Some more cool tile on either side of the front door.

Time to head home.

Red, green and blue my favorite colors in the rain forest.

If you think getting your ear pierced with a piece of plastic is bad enough you should see the numbers (brands) burned into the heads of these little guys.

Curious? Robin told me that each calf, cow, bull is different and that there is always at least one in every herd that is a trouble maker and is constantly trying to escape. They even have to tie wood to these adventuresome ones to keep them from getting out of the pen and running off.

If you think this is lovely you should see the real thing!

If I could I would make my home in this tree to so that I could hang out and see these awesome views day and night.

Festa Junina

A traditional cultural festival on June 15th in Rosario da Limeira like hundreds of others held during this time of year throughout Brazil. Complete with music, line dancing (square dance type), hot Quintao (alcoholic cider), bonfire, pork rinds and more.
The crew upon arrival in Limeira heading to Junior's house to leave Lucy and Gustavo's bags as they were traveling the next day.
All dressed up in their festa best with pigtails and plaid.
Some traditional dancing with cowboy/girl getups and all.
Boots, jeans and cowboy hats.
Gustavo getting his groove on.
Jeh getting down with his bad self.
Lucy and Jeh playing "pull my finger" with Marlon looking on in shock and Matthieu "dancing" in the background:)

The crew (minus Lucy). Matieu, Jeh, Bobby and I in the back row and Marlon and Gustavo in front.

Marlon and Daiane shaking what their mammas gave them!

Once last dance for Lucy and Joao.

Matt, Matthew, Mathieu, Mateus or Frenchy cutting a rug.

The boy on the right liked taking pictures and having his picture taken.

Gustavo, Bobby and Matieu hamming it up for the cam.

More "forro". This is not what people normally wear.

Where are all the guys?

This was a pic of the performers on the stage before I got invited up to photograph not really the best vantage point.

This was a larger crowd in Rosario da Limeira then I had seen at Carnival.

Women do seem to outnumber guys or maybe it is just that the guys wanted to drink and not dance.

Burn baby burn.

A toast to great friends.

I was invited up on stage to take pictures. I am not sure if it was because I was the tall gringo or because I had the nicest camera at the festa but either way it was cool to get pics of the performers and audience from above the crowd.

Saying goodbye to a good friend is never easy so it was nice to get this photo a few hours before Lucy and I had to say bye. Shinning happy people everywhere!

Dawn Trail: hiking in the dark to watch the sunrise!

The following pics were taking at the top of the Dawn Trail/Trilha Alvorado when I hiked it yesterday with Marlon, Lucy, Matthieu and Jeh. It was a good time but the sunrise was not as exceptional as I had hoped. The view from the top of this trail is amazing and a perfect place to watch the sun come up and this is probably why:) it is known as the Dawn Trail.

I didn't take any photos of the actual sunrise as I left my tripod at home but I surely plan to return at least one more time before heading home to get more/better pics.

Deforestation anyone? I wish I could go back and see how this was before man intervened or better yet turn the clock back and leave the land untouched as it was.

Itajaru climb.

The next most famous mountain in the area must be Itajaru. It is actually slightly higher than Graminha and requires some more treacherous climbing. We climbed yesterday but I was too tired to post the pictures until today. Graminha is more famous to the locals but on the way down from Itajaru we met two guys from Muriae (about 75 minutes by car) who were coming to hike up Itajaru and stay for the night. One of the two had done the hike 18 times and had stayed at the top on various occasions too.The crew prior to starting the hike. Blake, Bryan, Toni, Jeh and Matthieu (back) and Marlon, Gustavo and Lucy in front. Thanks to Robin for taking the pic and Matthieu for posting it on Facebook so I could steal it:)

Some of us caught a ride out with Robin while Matthieu, Toni and Marlon chose to walk the first part and wait for us to meet and get them for the last part of the drive.

For the first part Toni (the only person in our group to have already been to the top) led the way. In this picture you see Bryan and Toni is the one in front of him.

The trail got narrow at times and in fact near where this photo was taken we were almost run off the road by a herd of half a dozen or so cattle. They came bounding through the closed in woods and when they got near those of us at the front of our group they got spooked. We had gotten out of their way in time but had to warn the others and by yelling made scared the cattle even more thus they increased their speed but fortunately no one was hurt and the men tending the cattle caught up to them and calmed them down.
Cool lichen on the side of this tree.
Our final chance to fill up on water before we began our ascent to the top of Itajaru. This clean and clear water was very refreshing. It also meant we were almost out of the forest cover that had protetected us from the beating sun.
Each time we looked up and thought we were seeing the top we realized we were not near the peak but still had another climb to do.
As you can see our hard work was rewarded with amazing scenes such as this.
Graminha is the the mountain on the left.
Graminha is in the center of this photo. I was standing near where the landslide happened on Itajaru and photographing the valley and waterways running between it and the landslide at Graminha.

Intrigue in the forest!!!! According to legend the crosses mark the grave of a "wild" boy who had some sort of a disability and grew up fending for himself in this area. From time to time food was left for him and when he died and his body he was found he was burried under this tree. Who was this boy? Why did he live on his own? What made his family leave him in the woods?

One lovely example of forest flora:) I saw better flowers but wasn't able to photograph them.

Lucy tired but happy after our hike:)

Lose these?

Mt. Graminha climb.

On May 18th I climbed to the top of Mount Graminha along with a dozen or so other volunteers and staff from Iracambi. We were led by Clovus who helps with Thursday tree plantings (cleanings, fench fixing, etc.) and is the husband of our cook Carminha.Mount Graminha is the highest point in this picture. The community at its base, which is one of the main two communities that Iracambi works with, shares its name.You may recall my post from March 3rd which was about a Land Rover ride with Robin to know the area. It explains the reason for the white streak on the side of Graminha.

The British triangle....Neil (foreground), Lucy and Brian. The sun did actually set on the British Empire for a few weeks after Lucy left and before Rachel came.
As you can see rains have not only washed out part of the hill higher up but also down below where I took this picture. The ground in this area seems to be fairly unstable.It was a mostly clear day but the clouds did limit visability as you can see.What a glorious place to live!!!!Toni (Spain/Catalonia) calls this "digital syndrome". He was referring more to the need that people feel to photograph everything they see/do not only to record their memories but also to be able to prove that they did something such as go to Brazil, climb mountains or hang out with friends.Here is the streak closer up and from a different angle.It was really cool to see Iracambi and surrounding communities from high up and see better how it is all laid out and where places are in relation to one another.
The crew at the top. From left to right: me, Lucy Bryan, Fabio, Clovus and Toni.
Rob Roy anyone?Alive and on the way home after an awesome climb.

Frei Galvao canonized while Pope Benedict XVI visit Brasil in May.

I was searching for a museum in Sao Paulo and it turns out that it was under construction but on the same site one of many (probably 100s) of celebrations was taking place in honor of Frei (Friar) Galvao. Galvao was canonized on May 11, 2007 in Sao Paulo by Pope Benedict XVI. This was just a little over 10 years after Galvao was beatified on April 8, 1997 in Rome by Pope John Paul II. So when I turned the corner to enter the grounds that housed the museum and the church below I was suprised to find a long line of people lining up (queing for my British friends) to go through the gate. I found out that this was in celebration of Galvao. I guess when your country of over 180 million people has its first saint declared it is a pretty big deal. Saint Galvao also known as Saint Anthony de Saint Anne-Galvao was of the Franciscan order.
The photos below are from the grounds where the church and musuem are located. Also, for more information check out the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frei_Galv%C3%A3o
http://www.saofreigalvao.com.br/

More 100 Walls Project

This is a continuation of photos and info I posted June 1st and you can visit that entry here if you want more information.

Free concert at Praca de Se in Sao Paulo.

On Sunday (Mother's Day) after church and before heading back via bus to Iracambi I went with Flavio and his cousin (the end of our walking tour) to see a free concert in Praca de Se. The concert was at the steps of the massive Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral) and started around 4PM and went much later than I could stay and still make my bus home. Believe it or not I saw about four different acts amongst walking around, taking pics and people watching and I don't even remember who they were. I will have to find out from Flavio!

We arrived with just enough time for me to take some pictures before it got to dark. If you were wondering I had my nice new digital Nikon SLR with me all this time taking pictures in "one of the most dangerous cities" in the world. I am not showing off or saying that I visited all parts of the city at all hours of the day but saying not to always believe the hype and just be smart while traveling and you too can have a peaceful time.

Yes, prior to seeing these giants I was one of the tallest people in the crowd. This group of stilt walkers and guys with metal springy legs were doing a team cheer before descending upon the crowd to give some added entertainment during the concert. I have been to hundreds of concerts of all sizes in different venues but never seen a crew like this amongst the onlookers before.I wonder what the cops were thinking! White men can't what? This guy had mad hops!!!!

I think drinking and operating these things might not go hand in hand. Seriously though these guys and girls had amazing balance and control.

They really did look like they were having fun!!!!

Sao Paulo behind the scenes with Flavio. Pics of me, just for mom!!!!! And don't forget the Pope.

I'd like to think of this entry as "bookends" as it starts with a picture of me, has one in the middle and ends with one too. In fact an Oreo would be more appropriate but I don't like/eat Oreos, especially as that creamy white part in the middle is made from COW'S feet.

Flavio and I were at Principia together for a year, my last and his only, and hadn't seen each other in almost seven years. As we are both Prinos, photographers, travelers and speak Portuguese we just had to hang out again. This picture was taken outside of First Church of Christ Scientist, Sao Paulo on Sunday the 13th of May.

Later when Flavio and his cousin took me on a tour by car and foot of Sao Paulo they told me that this square and more particularly the white church to the right was where Sao Paulo started. Not surprisingly a missionary was the person to "start" Sao Paulo. Here is the church from a different angle.

Yeah mom that's me!! And you guessed it I am standing just below where Pope Benedict XVI stood a few days before this lovely Sunday afternoon.

I chose not to take my picture with Herr Bush as the can stank just like he does. By the way, the sign reads "Get rid of Bush". I sure am glad I didn't vote for that guy and always remember to tell people that when they talk about "our" president. I sure am glad he ain't my prez.

The building to the left and in the reflection was the first building of its size built in Sao Paulo. I can't remember the actual number of stories or year it was built but I guess it was a real shock back in the day. It may have been the first such building built in South America even. Flavio told me that when it was first built people were afraid to go near or in it for fear that it would come crumbling down. In fact maybe that is where the phrase "crumbling down" came from. Now of course it is towered over by many buildings in the downtown alone.

Just like a story book(end) ending you find me with downtown Sao Paulo providing a nice back drop. Thanks Flavio for the tour and taking this photo. You are great at both.

More murals, sculpture and other art.

Below you will find murals, sculptures and other art from around Sao Paulo. The photos below the three mural ones were all taken at the Pinacoteca do Estado. A metropolitan city such as Sao Paulo despite its size, pollution, traffic and crime does allow for a much wider and deeper variety of art for its people to enjoy.

These murals have an eerie colonial feel to them. I am guessing that they are from the late 1800's. You gotta wonder who these guys were marching to see a king or "natives" who they needed to conquer, save or tame."Smoking Prohibited"
This is the kind of art that I find interesting but don't really get. Maybe one is not supposed to "get it".

More by the same artist. I think he just wanted to replicate his college dorm but maybe it is supposed to say more than this.

Spiderman?

He must work out!

100 Walls Project in Sao Paulo with mosaics on 100 walls.

O Projeto 100 Muros or 100 Walls Project provided me with interesting art to look at and enjoy and also photograph during my time in Sao Paulo. The project is a collaboration between the Projeto Aprendiz (Learning Project), Bank Boston Foundation and Fiat. The objective is to "work during two and a half years with the cities population to discuss the themes of citizenship/being a citizen that are on the mosaic panels covering 100 walls throughout the city." The mosaics were collaborative efforts between citizens and artists who spent time discussing various themes some of which can be seen in photos below and other entries to come. For more info (if you speak or can read Portuguese) go to http://www.museudapessoa.net/hotsites/vmadalena/celia.htm100 Walls Project: Collaboration between the Projeto Aprendiz (Learning Project), Bank Boston Foundation and Fiat.This one reads: "The world is not a TV (See/watch reality)"I can imagine that before the wall was very bare and boring and now has been spruced up by collaborative community work discussing important issues such as education, culture and crime that are prominent issues in the the lives of many citizens in Sao Paulo.