The storm before the calm
Wow, I’ve been so busy recently that there’s been no time for blogging! Can you believe I actually worked last weekend? Saturday and Sunday? Work has been crazy recently – lots of early starts and late finishes. Thankfully, after 6 months solid work, I have some holiday coming up. During these last few frantic days at work, my mantra has been “This time next week I’ll be in Bahia, this time next week I’ll be in Bahia…”.
Bahia, in Brazil’s northeast, is known for being a particularly laid back place. A friend told me that last time he was there, he was staying in a pousada (like a guest house or nice hostel). At around midday he found the chef snoozing in a hammock. The chef stayed awake just long enough to listen to the lunch order and then turned over and went back to sleep! Apparently the food showed up around 4.30pm!
As if in pre-penance for the relaxing times to come, the pace of work has been building to a crescendo. And as if to mirror this tempestuous ‘storm before the calm’, the weather in Rio has gone a bit crazy too. This was the view outside my window this morning:
Dramatic isn’t it? If this reflects the drama of life over the last few weeks then I expect clear blue skies when I get to Bahia!
While I’m away I’m going to attempt to fully switch off and relax, so things may go quiet for a bit. But you can be sure that I’ll be taking my camera, a notebook and a sense of exploration, so hopefully I’ll have lots of fun things to report when I get back!
Have an amazing trip to Bahia!! I’m not envious at all… Can’t wait for the posts that ensue :)
Thanks Brae! :) I can’t wait!
Bahia is blessed with lush coastal vegetation: good post fodder. And also a topic of conversation I encourage you to pursue with the locals, in detail (muahaha).
Boa viagem.
My opening gambit will be “So, the land here looks very fertile”
[Unsuspecting Victim]: “Er, yes, it’s pretty fertile…?”
me: “You guys must grow some excellent herbs.”
[UV]: “Well, not personally… But you can buy most things in the shop…”
me: “You should start your own herb garden! Hey, I’ve got some photos to show you. No, don’t get up! Look, this is some rosemary growing in my window box.”
[UV]: “Erm, that’s great. But I really need to go…”
me: “Hey look, here’s a nice shot of my chilli plants – these are habaneros. These fellows are seriously hot!”
[UV]: “HELP!”