take a ride with me....

Since I have been doing the ’my town’ blogs, I seem to be seeing Nova Friburgo with new eyes. Yes, I still see the signs of neglect but I am also seeing the small gems with new paint, the partially restored old Portuguese styled buildings. I am looking forward to tomorrows 'my town' entries. Yesterday (was Bagman sitting as my copilot), I thought I would video some of my drive down from our house to Centro. This will just give you a little idea of how driving is in Friburgo - driving with one hand on the wheel and with the other holding the camera on dash. I took about 6 small segments - but scared the ..... out of myself a couple of times so I deleted the evidence on the way home..... let me tell you curves are hard to drive with one hand!

Lingerie capital of the WORLD!

When you drive the last steep hill before getting to the summit on the road to Friburgo, you will start to see huge billboards taunting lingerie and other unmentionables. It is useful to know that Friburgo is considered the lingerie capital – OF THE WORLD!   WHOOA!!

This area of Brazil is a vast reserve of forests, with mountain streams and waterfalls, hiking trails and fishing; many natural wonders and breathtaking vistas, but it is known for its lingerie factory outlet stores.

Tour busses full of anxious women arrive almost every weekday. These women rush from store to store along the kilometer of shopping, (next to the bus station) trying to find the perfect bra, the laciest camisole or the most fluid pajamas and, of course, at the cheapest price.   A couple of times when entering the bus to Rio, we have had women take our bus with black trash bags full of goodies that are destined for the expensive stores in Rio. Two times I have taken friends visiting from Rio to see the merchandise – never again. I prefer to drop them off and go to the bar for a beer or two with the husbands.

      

Every week another little galleria opens along the road between Mury and the central area of Friburgo.   Just about as often there is another store that closes.   I have yet to figure out what the store hours are.   It is usual in the States for the best shopping days to be Saturday, Sunday afternoon and on holidays (when women are off work).  Here these stores seem to be closed most of all the weekend and definitely all the holidays. When do they sell their goods?   Maybe it is on Wednesday and Thursday only – I don’t pay enough attention.   And if these are factory outlets stores, where are the factories?   If you want to come up to Friburgo to buy bargain priced underwear – see if you can verify that the stores are open that day – if they are and you have a lot of energy you will definitely find just the right pair for the right outfit.

Hard to believe - but missing Rio

Camillo left this morning for 4 days of meetings and entertaining in Rio. I am in Friburgo babysitting. It seems like I have only been in Rio a week altogether in the past 5 months, and I can hardly believe it - I am feeling homesick for RIO. You just cannot make me happy. When in Rio I want the quiet of the mountains, when in the mountains I want the entertainment options available in Rio. And when in either Rio or Friburgo I always want to be in the USA.

The last time I was in Rio, I did a blog about (imagine) walking the Lagoa and today I thought you might like a photo that I marked to give you a better idea of what that means. The photo was taken from up on the Christ. There is a hike and bike trail that goes the complete 7.5km around. You can rent pedal carts, and bicycles, take your own skates or skateboards, or just walk along in the old fashioned way like I do.

You also might want to go to http://gingersflowers.blogspot.com/search/label/Around%20Rio to be able to see other fun things to do while visiting Rio de Janeiro.

The Socialization of Spritzer : Part II

For prior entries see (Having pets)

Today Camillo, Spritzer and I are not only celebrating Easter but we are celebrating our 2nd month’s anniversary together. I know when my daughter Patty and granddaughter Marissa read this they will laugh themselves silly because Camillo and I have never wanted a dog.   Maybe I have to say I didn’t want a dog and Camillo agreed with me.   We (I?)  have not wanted our lives to be determined by the needs of a dog.  We also never agreed on how a dog should be treated. I thought a dog should be in the house with the ‘family’ and Camillo said ‘NEVER’ a dog should be outside and ‘NEVER’ should come inside. So we just never had a dog. To tell the truth I didn’t miss having a pet. We travel, taking several extended trips each year and every month would spend at least two long weekends in Rio, we get up and go to bed when we want, there has been no confinements, restrictions put on our time, our house stays clean, our garden immaculate. And now!

You have to visualize our lives now – AD or after dog. I haven’t been to Rio except for 2 days since Spritzer moved in. We went for an overnight to Teresopolis, and one very fast overnight to Macaé but in all cases hurried home because ‘the dog is alone’. Camillo is continuing to make his three or four day trips into Rio, I am home babysitting. Camillo is upstairs now taking his usual after dinner nap and guess what…. you’ll never guess…. Spritzer is up sleeping on the floor beside the sofa…. taking his nap also. From the time they get up in the morning until late evening, they are never separate. If Camillo is in the house – Spritzer is in the house. (Are you seeing the irony here?) They play out in the garden, several potted plants have been upturned. The grass is littered with sticks and chewed up balls. The monkey grass is Spritzer favorite hiding place – he doesn’t know we can see his ears sticking up above the tall grass. He hides his toys and bones in the grass – it is starting to look somewhat raggedy. They play mean dog – and fetch – and are learning to walk on leash and to get in and out of the car – They need their naps together.

I want to be sure you understand me – I don’t mind this togetherness, I think it is really cute. Camillo must have always wanted a dog and I don’t think I have laughed so hard as I have this past month at their antics. If Spritzer is hungry, if I start rattling pans to cook, he comes and lies at my feet, but otherwise he can’t stand to be separated from Camillo.  I know when Camillo leaves in the morning for 4 days in Rio – Spritzer will hide in the dog house until at least dinner time – then he will be desperate, roaming the house trying to figure out why he (we) are alone. You might think that this is a time for us to bond – beyond dinner being served – but I think he is mad at me because Camillo is gone….. All this said - Spritzer’s bonding with Camillo was necessary to get past his fear of humans. I think this has happened very quickly. He will ‘come’ (aqui) and almost ‘sit’ on command. He conquered the spiral staircase from the utility to the kitchen. He will go find his ball (which means the empty coke bottles, bones, plastic or rubber balls) so he can play fetch. He plays keep-away with enthusiasm – he is almost completely socialized. Now we will start to focus on manners.

 

One of my favorite trees

One of my favorite fruit trees in the garden is the Jabuticaba.

I have three, two that Camillo put in more than 20 years ago and do not give anything in the way of fruit and a new, small one we just planted.  The first year here, I got enough fruit to make one VERY good batch of jelly, to become addicted and since then nada.   We have put in this new tree in a sunny location and more space around, and it has already bloomed.  We got about about 2 dozen fruits but there is hope for the 2 kilo I will need for jelly in the future. The fruit is a deep purple when ready, about the size of a large grape, with a white pulp and a seed in the center. The pulp is very sweet and you can eat them as is - but I love the jelly. If I am lucky enough to get 2 kilo in the future (80% fully ripe and 20% greenish) I can make 4 jars of jelly without adding any pectin or other fruits. The jelly is tart and sweet and we love it on fresh bread.