Now comes the climax of any trip to a fresh water paradise in the middle of sand dunes, along the Northeast coast of Brazil: the Paradise Lagoon (“Lagoa do Paraíso”), the Heart Lagoon (“Lagoa do Coração”) and the Blue Lagoon (“Lagoa Azul”). Just relax at a kiosk and let your concerns melt away in this paradise in the middle of the Brazilian “desert.” Have lunch with your feet in water or a cold beverage in this national park – you choose! These lagoons never dry, even with the high temperatures of the hottest summer months…
At the Paradise Lagoon, where Paradise and Blue meet, one of our all-time favorite sites:
Now, enjoying life at the Lagoa do Coração (Heart Lagoon, due to its unique shape, inserted between a world of sand dunes)
Calmly dipping into the fresh water, while husband went out exploring the sand dunes..
This is one of the best known ‘postal cards’ of Ceara, Brazil. Jericoacoara is a beach located 300 km from Fortaleza, state of Ceara, in the municipality of Gijoca (Jijoca of Jericoacoara) – Until 1985 it was a simple fishermen village, without electricity, roads, telephone or television, lost in between immense white dunes and completely isolated from the rest of the world, until the tourism discovered it and year ’round, explorers come from all parts of the globe to witness this unique event – the sun setting through the rock’s opening. My husband and I tried to capture it:
Eleven months of folklore in brazil. Children, culture
In Brazil there’s always an excuse to dress up for parties and/or traditional celebrations. Here’s a small sample of our kids’ past 11 months in-country:
Today my husband and I celebrate the 10th anniversary of our first date. Here we are, again at a beach town in Brazil, remembering the first moments. Now we’re joined by a lovely army: our 3 children.
The Miranda Family got to spend the Brazilian Valentine’sweekend at the Love Beach (Praia do Amor), in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte. Kids had a great time and the most deserving mom and dad got to enjoy each other’s company. Life has taught us a lot: we’ve been learning how to be more understanding, especially regarding little things, which in the beginning, used to upset us. Now, they just seem so small in the large scheme of things… We’re still learning…
{Note: the children’s nanny also came! (smart, right?)}
More details – about our relaxing weekend, the nearby beaches we got to visit – coming soon…
As promised earlier, here are some more images from our relaxing-exploratory weekend in Rio Grande do Norte, in the district of Tibau do Sul, a few hours from Recife . We got to spend a very restful weekend at Hotel Pousada Morada dos Ventos, where our incredible host (hotel owner), Tania, made sure every detail would be taken care…
Our favorite part?Hard to say… Somewhere between the hammocks, the short trips to the village, our best Mexican restaurant experience in the NE (so far!), and the peaceful walks along the white sands, searching for dolphins… Kids loved it. Baby napped as much as she could. Mom and dad enjoyed their opportunity to connect with nature, and with themselves…
Feels good to be together. Feels great to be back in a bikini! (Honestly, it was also part of the adventure!)
Our youngest daughter, Maria Cecília, was baptized on June 5th 2011, at the Igreja Nossa Senhora de Boa Viagem, Recife, PE. It was a very important moment of our lives, and I’m glad to see it happening here in Brazil. We wish our baby girl all the possible happiness…
We’ll be sharing pictures with family and friends, very soon.
Nossa filha mais nova, Maria Cecília, com seus 6 meses completos neste último dia 30 de Maio, foi batizada na Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (vide link no parágrafo anterior), nesse domingo, dia 5 de Junho de 2011. Foi uma experiência muito bonita para toda a família: para os irmãos mais velhos, César e Marcela, e para nós como pais, uma vez que, como a mãe, Maria Cecília veio a ser baptizada no Brasil. Devido ao fato dos padrinhos – avó materna, Regina Céli e avô paterno, Leonel Miranda – não puderem estar presentes no dia, um casal de amigos gentilmente representou os padrinhos. Durante a Consagração à Nossa Senhora, Maria Cecília foi levada ao altar acompanhada da representante, dos pais e do irmão mais velho, César. Seguem algumas fotos deste dia tão importante para nós…
…they come from a single factory, located in a little place called “Campina Grande“, in Paraíba, one of the Northeastern states of Brazil!
Currently, there are more than 40 models of Havaianas and with all the colors available, that adds up to about 350 variations. It makes for any woman’s (or man’s) wildest designing dream!
Finding Havaianas in Brazil isn’t hard – since they’re available at 150,000 points of sale in the country
(I imagine right now my mother-in-law is so jealous…)
However, not every store will have all the models, since a lot of Brazilian retail is based on small stores with a limited inventory. It’s possible to find a pair of the famous flip-flop anywhere you go; even at the most remote beach village in the country – it’s guaranteed that, in the absence of a formal “store” or “market”, somebody would be selling them out of their house! And why? It seems these flip-flops are so much loved that owing one pair, just isn’t enough! It didn’t take long for Brazilians to realize that the frugal design of Traditional Havaianas was great for creative intervention.
Women customized theirs. Surfers started a trend when they removed the straps from Havaianas and put them back on with the sole side up. Tops are currently available in 20 solid colors. They, too, are popular for customizing. Brazilians use them to make Havaianas “bordadas” (embroidered) and “silkadas”, meaning, printed with silk-screen. Images say more than words: take a look at this video!
Even super-models wear them! Luckily Brazil’s got a Brazilian supermodel to showcase the flip-flops – it goes out of the stores like water! Just to top it off, the best reason to have them in your closet: Havaianas give back to the Brazilian community (and before my husband’s visit to the factory, I had no idea about it!). They’ve done some amazing work through celebrity contributions and donations, and it feels good to buy shoes that help others…
Here are some images from the most recent visit to the Havaianas Factory, in Paraíba, May 2011. And a quick and surprising piece of information: 7 pairs of havaianas are produced per second, and the factory produces 645,000 pairs per day!! Here is where the magic happens:
And guess what my dear husband ended up forgetting to bring from his trip??
We’re 9 months into the assignment. This post wasn’t a totally new experience for us since we’ve visited the Country several times before we moved here. Visiting was fun and care-free. Living and adjusting as a family, a little harder than we’d expected, but still very manageable.
The Miranda Family arrived in Recife at the end of July 2010. We had lots to look forward to: a new baby on-the-way, the proximity to the Brazilian grandparents and the opportunity for our children to improve their Portuguese skills, the apartment by the beach and plans to take several short trips while living in Northeastern Brazil.
We’re 9 months into the assignment. This post wasn’t a totally new experience for us since we’ve visited the Country several times before we moved here. Visiting was fun and care-free. Living and adjusting as a family, a little harder than we’d expected, but still very manageable.
Our familial “nucleus” is constituted of 2 adults, 2 toddlers (3 1/2 and 5 1/2 yrs-old) and a 5-month old baby, and being a parent/caretaker requires lots of diplomacy, negotiation, peacekeeping, policy implementation and strategy skills. That said, managing a household, its respective juvenile population and the consequent budgetary implications, is a… HUGE, EXPERIMENTAL and UNFORESEEN task!
There is a never-ending need to keep kids and parents sane (as much as possible). Family outings require loads of planning and logistics management – even if we’re just talking about a Sunday lunch!
Here are some suggestions for entertaining the kids (without pulling our hair off), we’ve learnt along the way:
Take advantage of the warm weather and have them learn how to swim at school!LEGOS, building blocks, puzzles - you name it! Life-savers on a rainy dayEncourage the interaction between siblings - great strategy to avoid "middle child" syndromeHave friends over for unplanned singing sessions!Encourage kids to participate in school's cultural events & popular celebrationsMake sure they are exposed to artistic/musical expressions. As much as possible!Take short trips with kids and have them experience some "cultural blending"Coordinate for play dates with other children. Include athletic and sports activities. Supervise.Show your children how to respect, love and appreciate natureCelebrate every milestone. Show your support. Have fun together!Be open about trying new activities and experiences. Offer the opportunity to learn new motor skills.Let your children know it's okay to be silly!
Make a super-extra-conscious effort to be part of the school activities.
And, most important of all: show the children your unconditional, unreserved love. At all times! At the end, our goal is raising happy, self-confident human beings, right? We’re trying to do our part…
Surprise your children. Here are some links on good stuff to do around Recife:
Praia de Boa Viagem (beach) – natural war water pools protected by coral reefs guarantee a delicious time a the beach. The sand and waters are continuously monitored by the state’s environmental agency, CPRH and are pollution-free.
Jardim Botânico de Recife (Botanical Gardens) – a natural reservation measuring 25.7 acres, a member of the Brazilian network of Botanical Gardens.
Parque Dois Irmãos (park) – one of the most beautiful and picturesque green areas of the city, the 38.7 ha park is a zoo, botanical and environmental education centre and an
Atlantic Rainforest reservation. Ecological walking trails are guided by Biologists.
Parque da Jaqueira (park) – located by the Capibaribe river, the park covers 7ha and its the city’s largest one. Very green and has got beautiful gardens designed by Burle Marx.
Parque 13 de Maio (park) – also designed by Burle Marx, in downtown Recife. Children’s playgrounds, jogging lanes, benches, royal palm trees and sculptures.
Museu do Homem do Nordeste (museum) – one of the most historical and anthropological museums in Brazil. Hosts the “Family at the Museum” program.
The “Passion of the Christ” enactment is a major celebration in Brazil, and marks the end of Lent in the Country. This is my first bilingual post, or, at least, the first attempt! This is a way to honor our host Country, its people and my roots, especially the one who taught me to understand, respect and appreciate traditions – my mother, who turns 71 today…
The beginning - Início do espetáculo
Enjoy the short movies showing The Last Temptation, The Last Supper and The Crucifixion.
(Português) Veja texto em Português logo a seguir, após o texto em Inglês! Aproveitem as imagens e vídeos sobre a Tentação, Última Ceia e Crucificação“…
April 14, 2011. Husband and I left Recife and went to Nova Jerusalem, Pernambuco. Guests for the official pre-opening for the reenactment of the Passion of Christ that takes place every Easter Week (Semana Santa, or Holy Week) in Nova Jerusalém, an open air theater-town in Fazenda Nova, a district of Brejo da Madre de Deus, in Pernambuco.
Guard at the entrance - À entrada da Cidade-Teatro
The rock walls of Nova Jerusalém (New Jerusalem) enclose an area of about 38 square miles and nine sets. Nova Jerusalém is the largest open air theater in the world. The Passion of the Christ is performed every year at Easter in a purpose-built 100.000m2 theatre-city in the arid backlands of Pernambuco, in Northeastern Brazil.
guest passes - convites oficiais
Thousands of visitors arrive every year to watch the performance. New Jerusalem is a theater-city, surrounded by a stone wall, with 7 doors and 70 towers, spread in an area of about seventy thousand square meters, which is equivalent to one-third of the encircled area of Jerusalem in Jesus Christ’s days.
Scattered throughout this area, it’s possible to find the 9 stages, which are in fact, buildings made of granite, corresponding to the acting & make up scenery, route that public and actors must follow. In Nova Jerusalém during every night of Holy Week, and on Easter Saturday evening, the story of Christ’s Passion and Death is presented.
State Governor & First Lady - Eduardo Campos e Renata
We left Recife on a tour bus provided by the State government around 2:30pm and arrived at the Theater Site at almost 6pm. All the official guests headed out to the open air theater/built city. The enactment began a little past 6pm, with the actors and spectators moving from one Station to another, as the play went on. All in all, great acting, very emotional moments, and indescribable experiences – hope the images help to explain the magnificence of the event.
Background: The object of the Stations (of the Cross) is to help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ’s sufferings and death. It has become one of the most popular devotions for Roman Catholics, as well as featuring other Christian artifacts of the local area.
Feel free to share and/or use the images, just making sure you mention the source. The 2 “photographers” over here will be happy to see their “work” shared away….
THE PLAY:
(Port) Os Profetas Moisés e Elias anunciam a vinda do Filho de Deus. Jesus aparece transfigurado entre os dois profetas.
First appearance - Jesus aparece ao fiéis entre anjos
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
The Sermon
(Port) Sermão da Montanha: Jesus prega à multidão, acolhe as criancinhas, cura e ensina o Pai Nosso. Ao saber da prisão de João, o Batista, decide seguir para Jerusalém.
Jesus speaks to the crowd in the desert - A pregaçãoJesus and the faithful - Pregação aos fiéis
Discussion at the Temple
(Port) Discussões no Templo: Jesus entra triunfalmente em Jerusalém, aclamado pelo povo. Expulsa os vendilhões do Templo e discute com fariseus, escribas e doutores da lei.
Jesus says goodbye to the apostles - A despedida dos apóstolos
The Last Supper
(Port) A última ceia: Jesus reúne os seus discípulos para a Última Ceia e deles se despede, dando-lhes o pão (o seu corpo) e o vinho (o seu sangue).
"The body and the blood"- "Eu sou o Corpo e o Sangue"Last Supper - ConsagraçãoThe Last Supper - a Ceia com os Apóstolos
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested – A Traição de Judas e a Prisão de Jesus
Judas betrayed JesusPreparation for the arrest - Jesus prepara-se para a prisão
The Temptation
A tormented Jesus - Jesus atormentado busca auxílio do céu
(Port) Agonia no Horto: Jesus sofre antevendo sua Paixão e Morte.
Herode’s Feast – (Port) O Bacanal de Herodes
Herodes and his guests - Convidados do bacanal de HerodesHerodes Feast - O Bacanal de Herodes
Jesus is judged by Pilate, Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
O Julgamento de Jesus, a Condenação
The Palace – Ao Palácio para Julgamento
Jesus is questioned – Pilatos questiona a Jesus
Jesus is asked to perform a miracle – Pilatos pede a Jesus um milagre
(Port) Jesus perante Herodes e Pilatos:
Herodes pede a Jesus um milagre e não é atendido. Irritado, o rei manda-o de volta a Pilatos. O Pretório Romano é invadido pela multidão e pelos que querem a morte de Jesus. Pilatos, o Procurador de Roma, chega ao Pretório numa biga romana e saúda os seus legionários.
Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns, Jesus takes up His cross and is helped by Simon to carry His cross – (Port) Humilhação e Coroação de Jesus, Jesus leva sua Cruz
Jesus is brought out to judgement - Jesus é trazido a julgamento
Jesus suffers
Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem – (Port) O Encontro com as Mulheres de Jerusalém
O perdão à Maria Madalena
Mary and John - à espera de Jesus
Jesus is crucified, Jesus promises His kingdom to the repentant thief, entrusts Mary and John to each other – Crucificação
Jesus dies on the cross
Jesus arrives at the Crucifixion site – A chegada à Gólgota
Preparing the criminals for the death penalty – Preparação
Last words to His Mother – Últimas palavras à Nossa Senhora
Jesus dies – A morte de Jesus.
It started raining torrentially after Christ’s Crucifixion (?), making impossible to take photographs from the Ascension to Heaven… Fortunately, we brought home “heart pictures” and emotional memories…
Photographer #1Photographer #2
in Portuguese/em Português:
Das ruas para o maior teatro ao ar livre do mundo, assim começou a ser encenado o espetáculo da Paixão de Cristo de Nova Jerusalém. Era 1951 e o comerciante Epaminondas Mendonça teve a ideia de realizar pelas ruas da pequena vila de Fazenda Nova, no período da Semana Santa, a encenação da vida, morte e ressurreição de Jesus Cristo. A inspiração partiu após ler em uma revista como os alemães da cidade de Oberammergau realizavam uma apresentação semelhante. Enquanto Epaminondas atraia hóspedes para o hotel da família e movimentava o comércio local, Sebastiana, sua esposa, de veia artística cultural e teatral, cuidava da direção do espectáculo.
De maneira simples, porém criativa, as apresentações contavam ainda com a participação de familiares, na maioria mulheres, e amigos que juntos contracenavam nas ruas utilizando-se do cenário local. No ano de 1956, Plínio Pacheco chega a Fazenda Nova e encanta-se pela bela atriz Diva Pacheco, filha de Epaminondas. Desde então são 42 anos de representações ininterruptas dentro das muralhas, atraindo espectadores do Brasil e do mundo. O espetáculo, que chega a sua 44ª edição, será encenado entre 15 e 23 de abril. Neste ano, Lacerda, que completa 33 anos, representará Jesus Cristo pela terceira vez. Já Fafá estreia no papel de Maria, mãe de Jesus. O elenco conta ainda com a atriz Vanessa Lóes, mulher de Lacerda, como Madalena; Sidney Sampaio, como Pôncio Pilatos; e Carlos Reis, Herodes.
Também na primeira apresentação deste ano foi usado, pela primeira vez, o recurso de áudio-descrição para deficientes visuais. De acordo com a organização, o sistema permitirá que o público, com um fone de ouvido, escute uma narrativa sobreposta ao som original da peça descrevendo imagens, sons e textos. A encenação da “Paixão de Cristo” é dublada. Em 2010, 80 mil pessoas vindas de 22 estados brasileiros e 12 países assistiram ao espectáculo. De acordo com a organização do evento, a ideia de construir uma réplica da cidade de Jerusalém para as encenações da “Paixão” foi de Plínio Pacheco, que chegou a Fazenda Nova em 1956. O fascínio que o espetáculo da Paixão de Cristo de Nova Jerusalém exerce no público não está apenas na grandiosidade das construções, na atmosfera que ali se respira e na beleza da história de Jesus. Reside também na participação ativa do público, diante da mobilidade das cenas. Entre um ato e outro, uma multidão movida pela emoção passada pela boa interpretação dos atores, caminha entre os cenários, transportando-se por algumas horas à época de Cristo e revivendo sua saga.
Living overseas brings you countless opportunities. Today, my family enjoyed a wonderful morning with other diplomatic and expat families. Helping is fun and rewarding.
My husband was one of the 36 guest players. The tournament included representatives from the US Consulate, French Consulate and from the host Japanese mission… All players were asked to provide an “entry fee” for the tournament, which would be transferred to the Japanese Red Cross.
I’m proud of my husband, as an amateur player and as an example to other parents, and brought our kids to support the effort in helping the Japanese Consulate in Recife to raise money to help the victims of the recent tsunami…
The participants were greeted with a great luncheon provided by the Japanese Consulate and we all enjoyed a great performance offered by the musical groupRen Taiko, which means “Lotus Opium“.
Event: Fundraising Golf Tournament, coördinated by the expat community in Recife, PE. Including representatives from the Consulates in town, expatriate families, businessmen.
Venue: The Caxanga Country and Golf Club in Recife
Date: April 3, 2011.
Pictures to come soon! In the meantime, I’d like to show my gratitude to the Consulate of Japan in Recife, for allowing us to enjoy a very nice Sunday, surrounded by friends.
A place where my kids can get a hair cut, play video games, watch kiddy DVDs, color drawings and play with playdough? A crying-free environment, with colorful walls and inviting atmosphere? Where?
Just across the street from our building! Taking the kiddos to get a hair cut (or, to “color” my daughter’s nails!) couldn’t get any easier… It’s not a task anymore, it’s family fun!
3rdculturechildren 