Feliz ano novo!

So my last night of 2009 was certainly one, I shall remember well. 

1. It rained continously and VERY heavely

2. We drank SO much champagne

3. Brazilians like to dance

4. Beautiful traditions

During the day we all just relaxed, ate and spent quality time together- the way it should be. In the early hours of the evening I went to the beach to offer my gift to the 'Sea goddess'.

As tradition, as I am a girl, I walked into the sea barefoot and waited for 7 waves - then I made a wish and threw a white blossom into the water. It is meant to keep you on the good side of the goddess and nature!

Then I went for a last swim in the year 2009. Speaking to the sea goddess made it somehow more magical and so i surfaced from the water, feeling refreshed fro the new year. Like the never ending rain around me, I also had washed away my last year's bad experiences and decisions and was ready to start anew.

As we all prepared for the evening a big decision stood before each one of us- as every colour of your clothing have very specific meaning in Brazil! Everybody wears white. That is a given. It represents peace!!! But everyone likes to add little colour to represent other things:

red- passion

pink-love

yellow-money

blue-protection

black-bad or good

I finally decided on a long white dress, with a red belt! I figured peace and passion were essential for me, but more importantly everyone :)

So it started out with civilized toasts to a better year and all seemed like back in Europe. BUT then the champagne started going down numerous throats rather speedily = FUNNY sight! Everyone was dancing, the young, the old, the sick, the fat, the happy, the drunk.....

meanwhile the rain provided a very dramatic background, with the downpour sometimes seeming almost apocalyptic!

At midnight, we all watched a beautiful firework display over the water and sang and wished each other a "Feliz ano novo!" As is tradition, we, the girls, all then ate 12 grapes. each represents one month and based ont he taste of each month ( bitter, especially sweet etc.) one is spposed ot be bale to predict what the nature of each month in the next year is going to be. Lastly a large bowl of lentils was thrown in the air and if any lentils stayed on your body ( hair for example, or clothes), you were supposed to keep it in your purse. This shall ensure that you face no financial issues in the next year. 

At 1 o'clock, we, the youngsters, then headed onwards to a New Year's Eve party nearby. As the driver dropped us off relatively far, we all consequently had to walk ( more run) through the rain. What did this mean?? Well not much, apart from the fact, that I looked like I just took a shower in my clothes before going to the party!! As annoyed as I was, I forgot all about it, as soon as we arrived! The atmosphere was 'banging'!!

On the beach we all danced like mad and partied 'til the early morn. The bar was layed out with fresh fruit, which they squeezed into coctails and carpirinhas of all sorts.

As much as we all enoyed ourselves we had to leave however and so at 3:30 am I found myself tucked into bed and in blissful oblivion.

2010!!!!!

No hangover - great!

The rain stopped -even better!!

A boat trip around the islands scheduled for the day -super!!!

And so that is what we did. We all boarded the beautiful and elegant white space of 'piruete' and cruized along! from island to island, beach to beach -clear sky, clear water, fresh fruits and cold drinks...all assured a successful day!

To be ohnoust that was the routine for our next days. each morning we woke up to better weather than the day before ( if even possible), we ate delicious and big breakfasts and headed out. Equiped with LOTS of sun-cream, all different sorts of snacks, bikinis and sun glasses - we were ready to enjoy our day! 

We dashed through the perfectly azur waters until we found just the right spot. With idylic scenery, rich in lush tropical rainforest, and clear waters, we then stopped to dip our over-heated bodies in the sea and attempted to reach varied tones of brown on each limb equally.

When we had enough of this ( which was generally never) and the sun was starting to set, it was time to head back!! Back, in the retreats of the cool house, we ate like kings and queens on seafood and other until full. The rest of the evenings were then spent in a leisurely manner, with coffee, dessert and games.

Now, the 3rd of January drawing to an end, we all obediently sit in the car, on its way to Rio.

Tomorrow we all part. And I? Well of that you shall hear later.....BUT

Guatemala HERE I COME!!!