Os Rapazes Perdidos
Trip Start
Nov 02, 2006
1
2
Trip End
Nov 07, 2006
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Ring ring
Ring ring.
Ari: Hello?
Ana: Hello Ari? We are coming to pick you up in 20 minutes.
Ari: Shit! Charles...get up.
Charles: (Already jumping to his feet) Let the day begin!.........OH.....My Head....it Aches!
30 minutes later (Brazilian for 20 minutes), Ana and Cacau rolled up in their compact and heavily tinted 4 door. Today they will take us to a BBQ at the Weekend Home of Cacau's family located in the lush mountains about 30 minutes (actual time) outside of Rio. As we begin to reach the rural outskirts of Rio, Cacau quickly veers off the road into a long parking lot in front of a simple local market. Once inside, we were surrounded by a dozen fishmongers, all hawking their freshest catch. Here we bought bags full of Shrimps, Sardines, and a couple large, whole local types with scales and gills. Ana also visited the vegetable market for legumes, the butcher for a huge Slab of Argentine Beef, and the bakery for freshly baked rolls. My mouth was already watering as Carlinho rubbed his hands together in eager anticipation.
As we wound away from the main thouroughfares, the terrain became steeper and rougher until we eventually hit the base of Cacau's hilltop community. As the car slowly crawled up the challenging hills, we were treated to a quickly improving view of the Coastline of the State of Rio De Janeiro. Opening the gate to #17, Cacau ushered his wife, his friends and his lunch into his beautiful country retreat. With an outside of white stucco walls and a clay tile roof, the inside was traditional Latin with tile floors and arched doorways. The back opened onto a large cement deck complete with a sizeable swimming pool. Off to side was an entertaining space featuring a long table, a built in Brickoven grill, woodburning stove and a fridge full of Brazilian Beer. Above this was a lounging deck complete with a Bar, speakers and party lights. Far from a dance party setup this weekend, two Hammocks hung lazily over the dance floor.
All this overlooked a beautiful Rainforest and further on to the coastline of the Barra district. Wild tropical fruit trees (Bananas, Coconuts,Mangos...just to name a few) surrounded the property while wild monkeys jumped through the trees and ducks and Geese played below in the small pond that Cacau's father built.
It was perfect.
As Carlinho and I attempted to come to grips with our good fortune, Ana began furiously working the kitchen and Cacau the grill. Outside, we learned how to make Caiparinhas and relaxed in the sun. Within 1 hour we were feasting at the long table along with Ana and Cacau, Geiza, Alessandra and her boyfriend Luciano, and another couple who are longtime friends of Cacau's. What an afternoon.
We hung out all day, listening to music, eating, dancing and drinking. As the hours went lazily by, we watched a retreating orange sun sink behind the mountains only to be replaced by blanket of darkness pierced by billions of tiny stars. It was a moment when I felt truly in my element.
We talked some more, ate a simple dinner, watched a movie and went to sleep.
Waking up in Paradise the next morning, we cared little that we had been wearing the same clothes for far too long and found our way back to the inviting hammocks. Within a few hours., Cacau's parents arrived and began their turn in the kitchen, cooking with even more fresh seafood.
What arrived on our table an hour later can hardly be done justice on the printed page. It was a perfect Northeastern Moqueca (Brazilian Seafood Stew) bubbling in a large cast iron pot. Grabbing a huge helping of Farofa Flour, I poured spoonful after spoonful of the succulent stew over my absolute favorite starch. Mouthwatering pieces of local catch melted in my mouth as they mixed beautifully with fresh shrimp, tomatoes and peppers. I ate until I couldn't eat anymore.
Afterward, we chatted with Cacau's father, a retired merchant marine, about his love for Samba. As he talked, he continued to down beer after beer, until he eventually was singing and dancing to all his favorite tunes He never stopped smiling. His favorite CD was "Los Tres Malandros", a live recording of three aging Samba Legends who spent much of the CD humorously comparing themselves to "The Three Tenors". As the music played, he danced around the deck, laughing uncontrollably at the most offensive lyrics.
As the day wound down, it was finally time for Alessandra to shuttle us back to Rio and we bid final farewells to our friends and their parents who proclaimed in English that "Any friend of our children is a friend of ours". It was a touching moment.
Relaxed from our great weekend, Carlinho and I had a lowkey evening at one of Rio's best Churrascaria's, Marius. I've never eaten so much meat. After dinner, we took a taxi over to Leblon and enjoyed a quiet stroll through the Posh city streets. Stopping for a beer, we watched Brazilian volleyball on the TV and slowly drank one last Brahma.
In the morning, I took advantage of my last day in Rio (Perfectly Sunny thank you very much) and sped down to Ipanema. During the day, Carlinho and I consumed a few coconuts and a lot of sunscreen. I have the tan line to prove it.
At 5PM, my car waited in front of the hotel so Carlinho and I said our farewells. I moved on to GIG international and he to the unknown excitement of this amazing city. As I reflect upon my relationship with this country and it's entertainment capital, I know that I am officially hooked. We all have our own personal "Neverland", a place where we go to forget or even temporarily halt the stress and anxiety that builds in direct proportion to our years on Earth. Rio is clearly the place where I go to be Peter Pan for a little while, even if it's just a long weekend in the middle of November.
Tchau Amigos....
Ari
