| MAJOR BARRIERS BROKEN IN BRAZIL!
Dear Friends Near and Far:
My adventures in South America have taken me from the dance halls of Buenos Aires to the rainforests of the Amazon. And it is in Brazil where I have reached the heights. This may be of little consequence when major currencies are in tatters and stock markets are in the pits, but just in case a little personal ebullience raises the tenor of the world, I thought I’d share mine.
Last Sunday on a slightly overcast and breezy day in Rio de Janiero, I whipped up a winding road to a peak in the Forest de Tijuca and WENT HANG GLIDING! After a bit of coaching from my pilot, Alex, we laced up and jumped off the cliff, soaring over the trees, floating near the stony mountaintops, and swooping over the beaches. It was undoubtably one of the best experiences of my life and I loved it so much, I immediately went up again. And I’d still be there doing it, if I didn’t have a ticket to Quito.
I told Alex that I’d never tried cocaine, but this had to be better! If I knew of a glider pilot who was a bachelor, I’d propose. Barring that, I’m thinking of learning how to fly myself. If you go to Rio, and want a transcendental experience, call Alex at To Fly Rio. He’s such a pro you’re flying before you know it.
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| PERSONAL BARRIER #2–ALL ON THE SAME DAY! |
With great trepidation I ventured onto the famed beach at Ipanema on Sunday afternoon. Despite warnings about the dangers of Rio, was I afraid of muggings, drowning, or towel snatching? No, in an extreme act of personal courage, I appeared in public for the first time in at least 20 years, wearing, believe it or not, A TWO PIECE BATHING SUIT! I’m sure the phrase “letting it all hang out” originated in Brazil, because I have never seen more skin in my life. No matter what one’s age, shape, or color, the average bathing suit is less than a handkerchief cut in triangles, even on someone like Queen Latifah. In my black one piece, I felt like I had been transported from the 1920’s.
All women know that buying a new bathing suit cannot be done alone, lest one deceive oneself woefully, and my new friend, CJ, accompanied me on this perilous mission in Fortaleza. After much hand-wringing and figure evaluation, I finally bought one. But I didn’t dare wear it, even in the Amazon where almost no one would see it except the piranhas.
Finally last Sunday, when the beach was crowded enough that I hoped most people wouldn’t notice, I ventured out in my new teal suit. Now despite several applications of auto bronzeador, which is what self tanning lotion is called in Brazil, my abdominal regions are still as white as the inside of a clam shell. A bit of a disparity, since my arms are somewhat tan from rowing up rivers or wandering through stifling cities. Amazingly, no one guffawed, fell over in hysteria, or even glanced up from building sandcastles or playing soccer. I strolled up the beach with the waves curling at my feet, humming “The Girl from Ipanema” even though I didn’t look like her. Though my suit was bigger than 2 handkerchiefs, I still felt an amazing sense of freedom.
Later that day, I discovered a free spirited group of young men, women and a few children practicing tight rope walking on lines strung between the palms. And guess what? I tried that too! (with a little help.) The Cirque de Soleil will not be knocking on my door anytime soon, but I certainly had fun.
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| CLOSING NOTE
It’s almost easy to forget holiday traditions when one is wandering, but last night in Quito I heard a lively Fiesta en Navidad, a Christmas concert of music from Latin America performed in the Iglesia de San Agustin.
I recognized not one song, but the  joyous music was almost danceable, a contrast to many somber church ceremonies and images, and the memory is a.webpt I will carry with me.
I have been.webpted on this trip by the kindness of strangers, friends of friends who have taken me in, leads and tips from fellow travelers, emails with advice from friends at home, hotel and hostel staff who have welcomed and helped me. “Cosmic coincidence” has provided what I needed when I needed it, from a simple pair of sunglasses to a taxi driver who went out of his way to help me find the perfect hotel after a long day of travel.
My own unrealistic life has been enriched by meeting new people who do what they love far outside the corporate system: Alex Rezende who flies over Rio daily, masterfully giving others the joy of flight, and Adenir Cobra, who guides gringos through the Amazon rainforest, sharing his knowledge of plants and animals to help preserve our natural heritage.
Between newsletters, keep up with new photos and stories of life in South America on my blog, An Unrealistic Life.
Please continue to forward this to anyone who might be interested and invite them to sign up. Past newsletters can
be read online here.
Until then, savor the holy-days with your family and friends, live creatively, and dream unrealistic dreams!
Elena Hiatt Houlihan
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NOTE: You may be a close friend or relative, someone who’s genuinely interested in the continuing saga of my book, a teacher or student I’ve worked with, an editor I’m trying to impress, a perfect stranger I met briefly in the airport, or had an intense conversation with in the Paris market or a Bangkok cafe. (Perhaps you’ve forgotten me, but I have not forgotten you!) Since I’m NOT making any promises to make you RICH, BRILLIANT or FAMOUS in 5 easy steps (not yet anyway), if my stories and observations don’t enliven your day, then hit UNSUBSCRIBE. If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, please click below to subscribe. Merci mille fois!
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THE ART OF DANCE
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In Olinda, a colorful and art-filled town near Recife, Brazil, I landed on the doorstep of Marcia, whom I met through Couchsurfing. com. Yes, she took me in, though we had never met, and promptly whisked me off to an outdoor dance festival called Maracatu, which occurs every Tuesday night in Recife.
Costumed dancers and drummers perform on stage, and hundreds of people dance in the cathedral square. A king and queen are crowned in a ceremony fusing African slave traditions with Portuguese royal pageantry. It was like a mini-Mardi Gras, astonishing and energizing.
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