Back to the Beach, then Home

Well I'm back home in Raleigh now, but feel compelled to give my many loyal followers more keen insights, charming antidotes, and gripping prose about the rest of my Brazilian adventures (yeah, yeah I know its the pictures).
I got another pleasant surprise, Toby was unable to make a connection in Atlanta and will be staying through the weekend. I have included a few more shots of Fortaleza, that is the office with Toby walking across the street in front, some patterned concrete sidewalks - nice but littered, and some typical construction.
We shopped for supplies and headed for Guajiru. I decided to drive, Toby rode shotgun, with Vitor and Sandrinia in the back. It is a beautiful afternoon for a drive in the country and all is well with the world, we are headed back to the beach. In the village of Picuru, a cross-roads really, there was a traffic stop set up. Oh man?! I rolled down the window and handed the local Barney Fife my North Carolina driving license. He looked, and looked again a little more puzzled. He began his Portuguese inquest. I had no answers that could be understood as to why I was operating this machine in his town without a Brazilian driving license. Vitor lowered the back window and spoke a few words. I couldn't understand a syllable, but the tone of arrogance and privilege was unmistakable. Ole' Barney clicked his heels and handed back my license with a little wave to keep moving.
"Man, Vitor what did you say to that guy?"
"This is my vehicle and you are my American driver."
We laughed the rest of the trip.

Sunday was Superbowl! I met a restaurateur named Christian who had spent some time in Florida and his English was a pleasure to be around. He was showing the game at his bistro in Fleixeras (notice the pic with the satellite dish on the roof). It was not to be for me as I was stricken with the traveller's disease-running from both ends. I'm now just one more intestinal parasite from my goal weight.

These are pics of Fleixeras, and more of the interior of the big house we are staying in. Notice the size of the huge toad, I almost tripped on him. The friendly dog is named Malik and was a constant companion

Afew more shots of old Fortaleza

Back to Fortaleza

We headed back to Fortaleza for a few days in the office meeting with suppliers and consultants. Pretty tough sitting around a conference room listening to 5 guys spit Portugese at each other waiting on a translation. Funny how 10 minutes of conversation can be boiled down to 10 words. Do you think I'm missing anything?

Thursday the contractor showed up with his 21year old nephew, Junior who has spent a few years in Florida. He is my liason for english to portugese. He doesn't know too many technical terms so far I have taught him, "make it happen @#%@#*! NOW" and "NO *&%#@$ change orders.

Fortaleza is on of thoses big cities that looks great in little snap shots but the big picture is poverty and garbage. Project now matter how grand never get completly finished or cleaned up.

Now it is Friday morning and I am headed back to the beach after meetings with the diver who will locate our ocean water intake. Mr Doby is on his way back to NC and a surprise this morning, Toby decided to go with him. Oh well I'm the only gringo left.

Next week I will meet the topographer(surveyor) and layout the site. That is all for now with a good internet connection.

Few Days at the Beach

Monday through Wednesday morning was spent at the Gaujiru hasienda going over electrical plans, plumbing, and other design matters inbetween naps and beach walks. The shore fishing can be productive here but is highly dependent on the tides. The beach is quite flat and low to high tide is a difference of 80m. At low tide, which I only got to see Wed morning just before we left for Fortaleza, you can walk out on the rocks next to the fish traps and fish the deep holes. George, a resident of our condo complex, lent me his beach buggy to get around-what a fun machine. At nights we watched movies on the computer from Toby's extensive collection.

I love the local fisherman's anchor.

Notice how damn crowed the beach is :)

The Test Site

Sunday we are off for my first view of the test site. Bernard, Ubaldo our contractor, his worker and myself went by ferry and beach to the site witch is located near the fishing village of Baleia. This is a quick 30k trip. Mr Doby does not care for the ferry(wise) so he and Vitor took the inland route about 90k. While there we got a feel for the topography,closed up the fence at the gate, and located the ocean pump. As you can see there are donkeys on this beach, the 4 and 2 legged type.

The Beach

After lunch it was time to hit the beach for a swim in the tropical Atlantic. Top pic is looking west to Flexeiras about 3k. The middle pic is home. The bottom pic is east to Gaujiru.

This is the house and condo complex we are calling home. Troy and Toby were there to greet me.

Home for a while

We arrived mid afternoon just in time for a lunchtime feast prepared by our house maid Consesha