It feels weird to head East as Chile tumbles down. Everyone I know is fine. Scared and anxious at the most. Most of my friends, in typical Chilean style, have responded to my frantic emails with humor.
It’s ironic, two weeks ago, as Mikael and I walked on the beach in Curanipe, a small beach town close to the epicenter of the quake, I thought about taking a picture of the house we were staying in. It belongs to the family of my friend Cote and smells like pine, sea, and my favorite memories as a teenager. I’m trying to limit the number of photos I have of lone buildings, they just gather cyber dust in my computer. So, did I take a picture of the bright purple house on the shore? Naaa. It’ll be there when I come back.
Cote says the house is somehow still standing and her family had already returned to Rancagua by the time of the quake, but Curanipe and the surrounding coastal towns were hit the hardest by the Tsunami. Nearby in Pelluhue , where we sat in a beach bar drinking beer, a bus of retirees was swept away and over 300 homes have been destroyed.
That moment in front of the house served as a lesson to not take the beautiful places and people I visit for granted. That being said, I’ve had two days in Salvador, Brazil and have been blown away by how colorful and beautiful it is here. It’s the kind of beauty that doesn’t try hard to impress you– just a sunset with the neighborhood kids and ice cream next to the full moon. I’m staying with Gabriela, one of my oldest friends, and if this wasn’t a welcoming enough place, she only makes my stay here more warm and comfortable. I’m taking lots of pictures.
That moment in front of the house served as a lesson to not take the beautiful places and people I visit for granted. That being said, I’ve had two days in Salvador, Brazil and have been blown away by how colorful and beautiful it is here. It’s the kind of beauty that doesn’t try hard to impress you– just a sunset with the neighborhood kids and ice cream next to the full moon. I’m staying with Gabriela, one of my oldest friends, and if this wasn’t a welcoming enough place, she only makes my stay here more warm and comfortable. I’m taking lots of pictures.
On the beach in Barra my first night.
That really bright light is a stage in the water. We plan on buying floating thingys and swimming to the stage next Saturday.
Outside of the Igreja do Bonfim, where people tie ribbons around themselves and the church gates and make three wishes with each not.
Gaby helping me make my wishes.
Sunset at Ponto de Maita.
Ice cream at SorveterÃa da Ribeira (that’s Gaby’s bf, I didn’t pick up a cute Brazilian boy at the ice cream shop).
Beiju and chocolate at a street fair. That strawberry fell on the ground but he still wanted it, hence the expression on the vendor’s face.
Pelourinho – Centro Historico.
And now to the beach!
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Even if my daughter were not included in your blog–I would still love your blog. I like your foto choices. I like your breezy, funny, sophisticated remarks.
I like that nothing is more important to you than food. I like the way you notice neighborhood characters, details and eccentricities. This is a travel blog with style and you make me want to tune everyday to see where we’re goin.
I agree! yay! love it ferron! This is awesome! It makes me filled with saudade for brazil and argentina, but really happy too. It’s good to know I didn’t just exaggerate the beauty of salvador and buenos aires in my dreams and that they really do exist. I’m hungry to see more of your photos! call me when you get back!