Happy Birthday Greg!

Well the wind is climbing so it´s about time for a sail. Same old routine, nothing much to expand on.

Tuesday night was an introductory learn english night at the community center, where Jen and I are volunteering. Julianne has been in Brazil for three months (Originally from Ireland) teaching english, so I guess you would call us her TAs (Teachers Assistants for all those long out of school...) The second class is tonight, first the childrens class then the adult. I hope to start picking up a bit more Portuguese, these classes should help with that.

Also a Happy Birthday to Greg today!

The How to of Windsurfing

Wow, amazing sail for both Jen and I yesterday. The wind was cooperating so we had no troubles ending up where we wanted. We're also starting to get the hang of jumping, although we probably don't look very good yet! Club Ventos, the big rental and resort place here, films freestyle sailors late sunday then puts together a film, which a commentator explains where people went wrong. I got some good advise with I'll try putting to use today.

Gusts & Holes

Boa Tarde,

What a day so far. The wind is all over the place so I danced around on my board for 3 hours this morning, barely keeping a line. Jen on the other hand had worse luck, twice ending up downwind. I blame that on her late night last night. I was tired so I bid everyone an early good night around 1:30 am, and Jen went out with fellow windsurfers and a kiter with intentions of going to Forró. However they only make it as far a the 2 am bakery. Needless to say Jen indulged on many delicious desserts as she didn't get home until 4 o'clock in the morning.

We now just about to eat the daily logurte and sanduíche.

Morning Sail

Today Jen and I got an early sail in when the tide is out and mostly everyone is still sleeping. (By early I mean we were on the water at 10:30... Early by Jeri standards.) Both of us had good sails and plenty of jibes and jumps. I had a 2.5 hour sail and Jen had a 2 hour sail and a 1/2 hour swim. The gromet ripped out of her sail on the clew end with no way to repair so she claims she had a lovely swim in.

Later I had a siesta in the hammock overlooking the street while Jen hogged the computer. I think we're going to Capoiera tonight after sunset and some dinner.

P.S. Some new photos to follow!

Walk of Shame

I had a terrible sail today. The wind was blowing around 25 mph for most of the day, so Jen and I figured we'd have a late sail around 3:00 to get in two hours before sun set and when the wind weens off a bit. However all the pros were coming off the water saying they were getting killed out there, so we rigged down (I went out on a 3.3). The way the wind was blowing it caused a massive wind shadow where I usually sail and resulted in me doing a unintentional downwinder. I wasn't able to get up on a plane until I reached the far side of the sand dunes. Looong walk back.

Now just sharing the 1 liter beers for R$3.75 (aka approx $2.25 CDN) with Greg, Scott and Jen (Minus Jen drinking the beer)

Lagoa Do Paraiso

The Pousada seems quiet since the five Norwegian girls left. They always made for a fun breakfast as they animatedly went through their encounters from the night before.

On Tuesday we took a ride to some fresh water Lagoas on a dune buggy with Fabrichio (sp?), Joseph and our driver Alex. The first lagoon was La Lagoa Azul (aka Blue Lagoon) where we took a rickety old boat across the lagoon to reach a restaurant and good swimming locations. I'm pretty sure the 'Captain' of the boat was a pirate in a previous life. We also ventured to La Lagoa Do Paraiso (aka Lagoon of Paradise.) It had a beautiful transparent blue green colour and was surrounded by dunes and lived up to its name. That night we ate some meat on a stick with Neil, Kai, & Greg and went to Mama Africa, one of the local bars, and helped Kai forget he's without a credit card, phone or sunglasses.

Wednesday morning I watched the sun rise and realized that its rather odd that we watch the sun set over the Alantic Ocean. I was thrown around on a 3.7 and 87L board, the wind wasn't strong in town so I was overpowered for most my sail but I couldn't bring my self to come in. Jen took the day off because her arm was hurting, but I'm sure she'll be out today.

It's Like a Huge Sandbox

Last night after Capoeira Jen and I got some pizza then proceeded to go out Jeri style, Which is relax at home until 12:30 then go to the beach. There are five girls from Sweden and Norway who showed us the ropes. We tried caipirinhas for the first time, a Brazilian rum and lime drink on ice. Quite good, but too sugary to be my regular drink. Rather then tire our selves out and follow the crowds to the nightly Forro dancing, we called it a night and went home at quarter to four.

In the morning we bounced back and tried to get in an early sail, but it was Alvaro's (the guy we rent from) birthday so he didn't open up shop til noon.
We both started the day on 3.7's but the wind kicked up and we could have easily been on sails half that size. Just a bit more Capoeira tonight then early to bed because we're going to location windsurf on a lagoon tomorrow morning.

Tchau

Already Two Broken Rigs

Well for me I only broke a harness line, but Jen put her knee through her sail.

The days seem to go by fast here. We went for a walk this morning which turned into a long walk to the hole-in-the-rock (I can't remember its name). The rock is pretty cool, it has been carved into a arch from the waves crashing on it over time. We were walking along the beach until Pedro showed us a way along the bluffs that was much easier (and safer, looking back it would have been impossible to continue along the beach).

The sailing was great today, Jen on a 4.1 and I on a 3.7, and both overpowered. The swells further out are huge but up close to shore its fun to play where it flattens out and the waves break. I got a few jibes off the swells, but it'll take getting some used to.

Tonight we watched some Capoeira, which is an Afro-Brazilian martial arts dance, on the beach after the sunset. Then tagged along with some of our fellow pousadaers to learn how. It's a lot easier said then done, but we had a great time participating in the dance and music.

First day in Jeri

When we arrived on the bus at 1 o'clock at night the town was a hopping. It seemed everyone stayed up to greet us. The town sure picks up in the evenings after dinner and a siesta.

Today went by in a blur. We had a good sleep in after the epic 43 hour trip it took to get here. We took the day pretty easy: went for a short walk before lunch to check out the sand dunes, bought lunch supplies, went for a swim, ate lunch and so forth. The town has a great laid back feel to it, I don't think I'm going to mind spending the next few months here. We enjoyed the sunset from on top of (smartly named) sunset dune. There were a group of girls of all ages playing football on our walk back, Jen and I figured they were a bit too good to join in. Maybe next time.

The First Few Hours

We made it though the boarder in record time, zero line up! The boarder crossing guy was pretty cool, he warned us about giant pythons hiding behind trees. I'll be sure to watch out for those. Now we are killing time until our plane leaves. Yay for free wifi in the Sea-Tac airport!

Bags Packed

Jen and I spent the better half of today packing our bags, cleaning and procrastinating. (I'm the best at the third task.) We are leaving our house at 6:30 am tomorrow morning and driving across the boarder to Seattle. First flight: Take off at 1:00 pm

Visas

We picked up our passports from the Brazilian Consulate on Friday. Three weeks and a day after they were dropped off. AKA if you're a Canadian, don't expect to go to Brazil on a whim...